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Historical drama King and Conqueror has finally arrived, bringing one of England's most important stories to television. Starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William the Conqueror and James Norton as Harold Godwinson, the show debuted on August 24, 2025, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
The series explores the tensions and events leading up to the Norman Conquest, providing a dramatized account of the road to the Battle of Hastings. Its greatest strength may be its accessibility, making it available to audiences worldwide.
King and Conqueror will be available for streaming on HBO Max in most countries, including the Nordics, Iberia, Southeast Asia, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. In addition to HBO Max, Paramount Global Content Distribution has acquired rights in various markets, reaching large audiences.
The releases include Prime Video in America, JioCinema in India, SBS in Australia, and several Canadian broadcasters in Africa, Belgium, Greece, Israel, New Zealand, and Lithuania.
King and Conqueror plot
At the center of King and Conqueror is the double portrait of Harold Godwinson, England's last Anglo-Saxon king, and William of Normandy, who later became William the Conqueror. Initially politically connected, the two eventually became sworn enemies, with their rivalry shaping the course of medieval Europe. The series examines themes of loyalty, betrayal, and ambition set against the backdrop of 1066.
Author and creator Michael Robert Johnson examines not only the wars themselves but also the political and psychological struggles that shaped these leaders. Through this multifaceted perspective, the series explores how alliances fell apart and why the Norman invasion became unavoidable.
Cast and main characters
The strength of King and Conqueror lies in its cast, led by James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Norton portrays Harold Godwinson, a man driven by duty and responsibility who is torn between obligation and destiny. Coster-Waldau plays William, who is ambitious and determined to claim his rightful place on the English throne.
Supporting cast:
- Emily Beecham as Edith, a close peek into Harold's life.
- Clémence Poésy as Matilda, William's tough wife.
- Eddie Marsan as King Edward, whose untimely death was childless and the trigger for the crisis of succession.
- Juliet Stevenson as Lady Emma brings political and familial complexity.
Together, the cast adds weight to the show, bringing historic verisimilitude and dramatic interpretation to a balance.
Production background and filming
King and Conqueror was filmed from March 2024 to July 2024, mostly in Iceland. Reykjavík suburbs and Heiðmörk served as locations, with the natural landscape surrounding them used to create an atmospheric backdrop, reimagining England in the 11th century.
The pilot episode was written and directed by Baltasar Kormákur, while other episodes of the eight-part season had different directors. The harsh Icelandic environment added credibility, placing their kingship and conquest story in a fitting setting.
Accidents on set during King and Conqueror
Shooting King and Conqueror was no stroll in the park. James Norton broke his collarbone when he was thrown off a horse during rehearsal. Despite this, he kept going, later saying that the pain added a raw edge to his acting, especially in the fight scenes.
In one instance, Norton accidentally bit the nose of a standby actor during a fight scene, causing a small injury. That unintentional act made it into the final cut, showing the tough realities of recreating battles on set. These stories highlight the physical demands of filming such a series.
Release schedule and distribution
In the UK, all eight episodes of King and Conqueror were released at the same time for streaming on BBC iPlayer on August 24, 2025, and the first episode also aired that night on BBC One. By releasing both, viewers could choose to watch the weekly broadcast or binge the entire series in one sitting.
Overseas, the international release strategy is far-reaching:
- United States – Stream on Prime Video
- Netherlands, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Iberia, and the Nordic region- HBO Max
- India – Streaming on JioCinema
- Australia – Licensed to SBS
The extensive availability brings the series onto a continental scale, a mirror of this period of history's universal appeal.
Why King and Conqueror stands out
Unlike other historical dramas, King and Conqueror equally focuses on the private lives and politics of the central characters. The series explores Harold's and William's fragile trust and features above-average battle reenactments. It examines how ambition, loyalty, and destiny intersected in 1066, a moment that irreparably changed England's future.
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With its blend of expensive action set pieces, subdued character scenes, and period settings, the film tries to balance spectacle and substance. It doesn't just recreate what happened, but explores why these individuals did what they did, allowing history to resonate with modern viewers.
Also read: King and Conqueror: Everything we know so far about BBC's upcoming historical drama.
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