The Winter King, a new series from MGM+, is based on a trilogy of novels by Bernard Cornwell, the author of the Last Kingdom series. The show offers a gritty and realistic version of King Arthur’s story, set in the Dark Ages of Britain.
The show follows Arthur (Iain De Caestecker), the illegitimate son of King Uther Pendragon (Eddie Marsan), who is banished from his kingdom after failing to protect his brother in battle. Arthur becomes a wandering warrior, who eventually returns to unite the warring tribes of Britain against the invading Saxons.
The Winter King also features Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White), a mysterious druid who guides Arthur’s destiny, and Derfel (Stuart Campbell), a Saxon orphan who becomes Arthur’s loyal friend. The show explores the political and religious conflicts of the time, as well as the personal dramas of Arthur and his allies and enemies.
The Winter King is not a typical fantasy show, as it downplays the magical elements of the Arthurian legend and focuses more on the historical aspects. The show aims to be more faithful to the original sources of the legend, such as Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain, than to later adaptations that added more fantastical elements.
The Winter King is a gripping and bloody drama that brings a new perspective to one of the most famous legends in history. The show premiered on August 21 on MGM+, and new episodes are released weekly.
