KING & CONQUEROR is the story of a clash that defined the future of a country – and a continent – for a thousand years, the roots of which stretch back decades and extend out through a pair of interconnected family dynasties, struggling for power across two countries and a raging sea. Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy were two men destined to meet at the Battle of Hastings in 1066; two allies with no design on the English throne, who found themselves forced by circumstance and personal obsession into a war for possession of the crown.
The series stars James Norton as Harold, Earl of Wessex, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy, Emily Beecham as Edith Swan-neck, and Clémence Poésy as Matilda. The ensemble cast also features Eddie Marsan as King Edward, Juliet Stevenson as Lady Emma, Jean-Marc Barr as King Henry, Luther Ford as Tostig, Geoff Bell as Godwin, Elliott Cowan as Sweyn, Bo Bragason as Queen Gunhild, Bjarne Henriksen as Earl Siward, Oliver Masucci as Baldwin, Clare Holman as Gytha, Elander Moore as Morcar, Indy Lewis as Margaret, Jason Forbes as Thane Thomas, Ingvar Sigurdsson as Fitzosbern, Ines Asserson as Judith, Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson as Hardrada, and Léo Legrand as Odo.
The series will launch on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in the United Kingdom this August.
KING & CONQUEROR is created and executive produced by Michael Robert Johnson and executive produced by James Norton and Kitty Kaletsky for Rabbit Track Pictures, Baltasar Kormákur for RVK Studios, Robert Taylor for The Development Partnership, Dave Clarke and Richard Halliwell for Shepherd Content, Ed Clarke, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, and CBS Studios’ Lindsey Martin. Baltasar Kormákur directed the premiere episode and, as executive producer, will steer the creative across the series.
“KING & CONQUEROR” is a sweeping, cinematic drama with global appeal, and we’re thrilled to see such strong demand from leading platforms around the world,” says Lisa Kramer, president of international content licensing at Paramount Global Content Distribution. “Compelling storytelling, exceptional cast, and bold creative vision make it a standout series that resonates across markets and cultures.”