Mud, Blood & Leather: James Norton Teases the Gritty Battles of ‘King & Conqueror’

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Under the guidance of Icelandic director Baltasar Kormákur, the show titled King & Conqueror unfolds. It centers around Harold, Earl of Wessex (portrayed by Norton), and William, Duke of Normandy (depicted by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau from Game of Thrones). This series delves deep into the gritty, unvarnished aspects of medieval history, vividly depicting the fierce battles and personal hardships endured by its primary characters.

When I greeted the audience at the London Screenings, I might have appeared fresh-faced, but let me tell you, filming “King & Conqueror” was far from glamorous. As an actor, I can attest to the grueling conditions we faced during shooting in Iceland. I was drenched in mud, coated in blood, and swathed in layers of leather, making it a truly challenging production. In essence, it was a brutal shoot.

Right from the get-go, Kormákur was firm about the show’s mood and design. As Norton put it, “He had a very definite idea regarding the tone and look – right off the bat, he wanted to steer clear of this being a polished, comfortable period piece.” Instead, the crew strived for a grittier, more authentic feel, plunging viewers into the unforgiving realities of the 11th century.

Translating that concept into simpler terms: Achieving that idea wasn’t a walk in the park. Norton explained that the costume design made an already challenging shoot even harder. “I spent hours every day preparing since I had multiple layers of leather and chain mail on. However, it was worth it as everything looks incredibly authentic. Kormákur was firm about this detail, and it proved to be invaluable in the end.

Despite being known for its thrilling battle sequences and violence, King & Conqueror isn’t solely focused on war. The creators, Norton and Kitty Kaletsky, aimed to offer something more than merely a series of battles and fights. Their intention was to delve into the private lives of these historical figures, giving special emphasis to their relationships with their wives.

Norton stated, “One aspect we wanted to steer clear from was transforming this into a brutish, macho-driven testosterone-fueled adventure.” He further added that one of the key contributions by Kitty was emphasizing the domestic aspects – it’s not just about William and Harold, but essentially it’s a story about relationships.

In this production, Emily Beecham takes on the role of Edith, while Clemence Poesy portrays Matilda. Their performances add layers of depth and tension to the historical play.

Paramount Global Content Distribution is prioritizing international sales for the show “King & Conqueror,” making it a top focus in this year’s market. Featuring a blend of gritty realism, compelling narrative, and intriguing characters, the series is expected to be a can’t-miss for enthusiasts of historical dramas.

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2025-02-26 17:44