Reviving Ancient Legends: Unveiling The Winter King's Epic Journey & Exciting Future

Summary

The Winter King is a fresh and brutal adaptation of the King Arthur legend set in the Post-Roman Dark Age of Britain.

Combining the high-stakes politics seen in Game of Thrones with the intimate set pieces rooted in the Arthurian legend, the show excels in creating a captivating narrative.

The show's executive producers, Julie Gardner and Lachlan MacKinnon, delve into various aspects such as the authenticity portrayed, the representation of female characters, and the intriguing choice of Stuart Campbell as Derfel in the cast.

King Arthur's legend is reimagined in a fresh and brutal manner in The Winter King. Based on Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles trilogy, this historical fiction novel retells Arthur's journey to becoming the king of Britain. Set in the Post-Roman Dark Age, Arthur faces banishment and strives to regain his stature with the help of Merlin, Nimue, Morgan, and Derfel, all while thwarting the invading Saxons.

The Winter King features an ensemble cast led by Iain De Caestecker as Arthur, alongside Stuart Campbell, Steven Elder, Valene Kane, Simon Merrells, Ken Nwosu, Olumide Olorunfemi, Billy Postlethwaite, Daniel Ings, Nathaniel Martello-White, and Andrew Gower. Combining the thrilling political dynamics of Game of Thrones with the captivating elements of the Arthurian legend, this show offers a gripping and compelling portrayal of the iconic British hero.

Julie Gardner & Lachlan MacKinnon Talk The Winter King

Screen Rant: The Winter King has truly captured my attention with its thrilling storyline. As someone who has indulged in various genres, including period dramas and high fantasy, this show has managed to encompass all of these corners in an impressive manner. I'm eager to hear from Julie and Lachlan about what specifically ignited their interest in being a part of this project, whether it was the captivating novel or the compelling scripts.

Julie Gardner has always had a desire to depict the Arthur legend on television. During her time at university, she pursued an MA in Renaissance studies, which although not practical for employment purposes, she thoroughly enjoyed. Julie extensively studied and familiarized herself with the early versions of the story. Over the years, she has indulged in nearly every screen adaptation of the Arthurian tale, finding it captivating for various reasons. The story encompasses personal growth, illicit relationships, sacrifice, friendships, and the struggle to be a virtuous individual. Additionally, it delves into the complexities of ruling, the meaning of uniting a nation, and the sacrifices one must make for the greater good.

This blend of intimate human experiences and weighty political themes, although resembling elements of a soap opera, has allowed the Arthur legend to persist throughout generations. Bad Wolf, aiming to tell this story, recognized the potential of utilizing Wales and the West Country of England as remarkable filming locations. Despite not possessing the extravagant budgets of productions like Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon, or even The Lord of the Rings, Bad Wolf was determined to merge the intimacy of the narrative with grandiose set pieces. Although challenging, they eagerly embraced the opportunity, fueled by their passion for Bernard's novel trilogy, which serves as an unwavering guiding principle for their creative endeavors.

Lachlan MacKinnon believes that Bernard's novels offer a unique and refreshing take on the King Arthur story. The novels provide different perspectives, mainly through Derfel and Nimue, which adds depth to the legendary figure. What sets these novels apart is the portrayal of female characters. Unlike previous versions, Bernard gives them agency and significance, particularly with Guinevere, who is not just a femme fatale but an influential figure and advisor to Arthur. Additionally, the novels explore Arthur's attempt to unite people and countries, highlighting the contemporary relevance of political and personal challenges. Overall, Lachlan finds the storytelling in these novels to be innovative and captivating.

I am fascinated by the politics aspect of this story, as you mentioned, it brings a refreshing approach to the Arthurian legend. However, it is essential to include some significant set pieces, as Julia pointed out earlier, as they are intrinsic to the Arthurian legend. Despite feeling like you had a smaller budget compared to other genre competitions, I didn't perceive any limitations at all. The production felt grand and epic, particularly the fight sequences. The intensity of these scenes surprised me, and I wonder how you both managed to work with the showrunners to strike a balance between the brutality and avoiding any sense of exploitation or excessive exaggeration.

Lachlan MacKinnon: The genesis of the project emphasized the importance of authenticity, which became evident during our conversations with Otto Bathurst, our lead director and EP known for his work on Peaky Blinders. To truly immerse viewers in the world of the show, we wanted them to feel the existence of the characters and understand the brutal reality of the time period. Our discussions with historian Ronald Hutton provided valuable insights into the historical aspects we wanted to portray. While it's easy to reference paintings from the National Portrait Gallery for a medieval setting, we wanted to showcase the straightforward brutality of the era, where a man's life could be taken without hesitation. This approach allowed us to differentiate the show from other glossy productions while still incorporating moments of beauty and romance that are expected in this genre. This decision was a significant factor in shaping our approach to the series.

Julie Gardner: Your recognition of the production values and budget working well means a lot, as our team put in great effort during pre-production to carefully allocate funds where they would have the most impact. Without spoiling anything, I'm glad you noticed and appreciated the climax of episode 5, where the swords and battles merge with the intimate dynamic between two characters. This was the point where everything aligned perfectly in my opinion. When adapting beloved books, there's always the challenge of what to include and what to omit, as well as striking a balance between creative vision and budget considerations. We aimed to create an authentic world that made sense to us, with the intention of building success over multiple seasons.

Episode 1 strays significantly from the novels for two main reasons. Firstly, we wanted to introduce Arthur early on, which required us to create a backstory that is not found in the novels. However, this backstory was inspired by a line in Bernard's novels that stated, "High kings fear their bastard sons but love their bastard daughter." This single line prompted us to develop a backstory for Arthur so that we could introduce him earlier in the story.

Secondly, in the novels, we all appreciate Derfel as the voiceover, with the elderly Derfel reflecting on his life. I personally love the poetic nature of this narrative technique in the novels, and it greatly appeals to me. Nevertheless, when considering a new audience watching the television adaptation who may not be familiar with the novels, we didn't want them to assume that Derfel always emerges victorious in every battle. As the story focuses on an ordinary man embarking on a journey where he kills for the first time and becomes a warrior, it was crucial for us to convey the real risks involved.

Throughout the process, every decision we made, whether it pertained to creativity, finances, or production, was guided by our commitment to capturing the essence of Bernard's novels.

I really appreciate the decision to deviate from the novels when it comes to Derfel. During my research for the show, I noticed that he was the narrator in the future, and it made me curious why they didn't follow that route. However, I am glad they made that choice because it made me more invested in Derfel's story.

Julie Gardner: It was a tough decision because I absolutely love the tone and the elegiac feeling in the novels. There are moments when Derfel reflects on how we unknowingly paved the way for our own downfall, and it sends shivers down my spine when reading it. So, it is a loss to not have that element, but I believe it is the right decision to bring the drama into the present day of the story.

The casting process for Derfel, a vital character in the story, was a great decision. Working with our casting director Andy Pryor, we had the opportunity to see numerous actors in self tapes. When Stuart's audition came in, it stood out immediately from the rest. It was a simple and easy choice because Stuart was able to perfectly embody the character. After meeting and speaking with him, it solidified our decision.

Julie Gardner: Derfel, the protagonist of The Warlord Chronicles, has a profound presence. Contrary to popular belief, he emerges as the true warlord instead of Arthur. Derfel's transformation from an ordinary man to a warrior, along with the revelation of his extraordinary backstory, his morals, his eventual marriage, and his principles in life, solidify his role as the ultimate warlord. Stuart, the actor chosen to portray Derfel, starts off with a soulful and delicate demeanor but embarks on an extraordinary journey to manhood, warrior status, and ultimately warlord status.

Lachlan MacKinnon: This is an important aspect to consider when developing a series. We aim to provide a satisfying conclusion within the first season, while also ensuring that the character arc for someone like Derfel is clearly depicted. However, our overarching goal is to create five seasons with equally captivating stories that allow the audience to witness the growth of the characters. It's worth noting that Derfel is one of the youngest characters, having been saved by Arthur at a young age. We must be cautious not to rush his development into a hero too soon. Instead, we should take the audience on a journey throughout the entirety of the first season.

About The Winter King

The Winter King, an original series by MGM+, offers a fresh and innovative interpretation of the beloved Arthurian legends. Inspired by Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles series, this captivating show is brought to life by Bad Wolf, a production company under Sony Pictures Television. Filmed in the picturesque landscapes of Wales and the West Country, the series is helmed by renowned director and executive producer Otto Bathurst (known for his work on Peaky Blinders and His Dark Materials), alongside Toby Leslie.

Set in the turbulent fifth century, a time of divided factions and warring tribes, The Winter King unveils the extraordinary journey of Arthur Pendragon. From being an outcast to emerging as a legendary warrior and leader, this series chronicles Arthur's transformation in a harsh and transient world where life hangs by a thread.

Starring Iain De Caestecker as Arthur Pendragon, Eddie Marsan as High King Uther, Ellie James as Nimue, Nathaniel Martello-White as Merlin, Stuart Campbell as Derfel, Daniel Ings as Owain, Valene Kane as Morgan, Jordan Alexandra as Guinevere, and Simon Merrells as Gundleus, don't miss the new episodes of The Winter King airing Sundays on MGM+.

Source: Screen Rant Plus