Move over, House of the Dragon, there’s a new historical period drama vying to take your spot on the streaming throne.
Prime Video just premiered a period drama series called King & Conqueror, which takes things all the way back to 11th-century England, leading up to the Norman Conquest of England.
The series stars House of Guinness‘ own James Norton alongside Nikolaj Coster-Waldau of Game of Thrones fame.
Watch With Us is obsessed with period dramas, and we think this one is unmissable.
We’re breaking down why King & Conqueror should be your next binge-watch.
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‘King and Conqueror’ Is a Fun Romp Through History
King & Conqueror is historical fiction, but let’s put some extra emphasis on the “fiction” part. On its face, the series centers on a dramatized version of events that preceded the Norman Conquest of England, involving the Duke of Normandy (Coster-Waldau) and Hardola Godwinson of Wessex (Norton). Allies at first, the two men eventually see themselves battling for the British throne. This provides ample playground for drama.
The series has received a bit of flak from critics for the generous artistic licenses it’s taken on depicting history, but we say that’s all part of the fun. We don’t really go into narrative TV series expecting it to actually be a documentary, do we? Thus, characters in medieval-era England say the F-bomb and other totally anachronistic sayings, and the series happily boasts colorblind casting. There’s also a bit of a bromance between William and Harold — but what’s a juicy melodrama without a bit of bromance?
‘King and Conqueror’ Is Refreshingly Ambitious
King & Conqueror is the kind of sweeping BBC period drama that fans of shows like both Poldark and Game of Thrones will likely enjoy. With breathtaking scenery, kinetic battle sequences and plenty of violence, King & Conqueror almost seems like something better suited for a screen larger than an at-home theater. But part of its ambition also lies in the fact that the series is attempting to depict a period of history that is very infrequently put to the screen.
Additionally, the high production values and attention to costuming detail add to the totally immersive experience of watching the series. Ultimately, King & Conqueror attempts to tackle one of the most fascinating — if difficult to depict— periods in history. Thankfully, it does make for an intriguing, enterprising piece of historical drama.
It’s Anchored by Norton and Coster-Waldau’s Performances
Both Norton and Coster-Waldau turn in some of their finest work yet in King & Conqueror. While both Harold and William initially develop a fast friendship, it soon gives way to some misunderstands and a growing sense of envy that fuels their eventual conflict. William is adept at battle due to his ruthlessness, but he is also too obstinate and determined. Meanwhile, Harold is impetuous and condescending, despite his good instincts.
In spite of their quick covenant, they don’t fully trust one another, and they find their traits working against one another in battle and leading them to turn to enemies. Norton and Coster-Waldau excel at making subtle physical choices that highlight the flawed personalities of their characters, and the series largely rests upon their powerhouse dueling performances.
The Show’s Cliffhangers Keep You Wanting More
In true compelling melodrama fashion, King & Conqueror wants to keep you on your toes. It helps that it’s likely that a large majority of viewers watching the series don’t know all of what happened in the Battle of Normandy, or at least the granular details — plus, artistic liberties allow everyone to keep guessing. Thus, it’s easy for the series to end episodes on cliffhangers, making viewers want to clip along to see what happens next.
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If you’re able to overlook things like historical inaccuracies (and, again, TV shows aren’t historical documents), then King & Conqueror more than succeeds as some good old-fashioned entertainment.
Stream King & Conqueror now on Amazon Prime Video.
