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The Winter King

  • TV Series
  • 2023
  • TV-MA
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
6.3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,782
337
Iain De Caestecker in The Winter King (2023)
The Winter King: Critics Spot
Play trailer0:28
3 Videos
28 Photos
Sword & SorceryDramaFantasy

A former warrior, now turned monk, tells the story of how Arthur became the lord of war despite the illegitimacy of his throne.A former warrior, now turned monk, tells the story of how Arthur became the lord of war despite the illegitimacy of his throne.A former warrior, now turned monk, tells the story of how Arthur became the lord of war despite the illegitimacy of his throne.

  • Stars
    • Iain De Caestecker
    • Stuart Campbell
    • Valene Kane
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    6.3K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,782
    337
    • Stars
      • Iain De Caestecker
      • Stuart Campbell
      • Valene Kane
    • 93User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Episodes10

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season2023

    Videos3

    The Winter King: Critics Spot
    Trailer 0:28
    The Winter King: Critics Spot
    The Winter King: Season 1
    Trailer 1:57
    The Winter King: Season 1
    The Winter King: Season 1
    Trailer 1:57
    The Winter King: Season 1
    The Winter King
    Trailer 1:14
    The Winter King

    Photos28

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    Top cast66

    Edit
    Iain De Caestecker
    Iain De Caestecker
    • Arthur…
    • 2023
    Stuart Campbell
    • Derfel
    • 2023
    Valene Kane
    Valene Kane
    • Morgan
    • 2023
    Steven Elder
    Steven Elder
    • Bishop Bedwin
    • 2023
    Simon Merrells
    Simon Merrells
    • Gundleus
    • 2023
    Matt Mella
    Matt Mella
    • Lanval
    • 2023
    Ellie James
    Ellie James
    • Nimue
    • 2023
    Ken Nwosu
    Ken Nwosu
    • Sagramor
    • 2023
    Tatjana Nardone
    Tatjana Nardone
    • Ladwys
    • 2023
    Andrew Gower
    Andrew Gower
    • Sansum
    • 2023
    Daniel Ings
    Daniel Ings
    • Owain
    • 2023
    Billy Postlethwaite
    Billy Postlethwaite
    • Cadwys
    • 2023
    Nathaniel Martello-White
    Nathaniel Martello-White
    • Merlin
    • 2023
    Aneirin Hughes
    • Gorfydd
    • 2023
    Olumide Olorunfemi
    • Lunete
    • 2023
    Charlie Duncan
    Charlie Duncan
    • Ralla
    • 2023
    Sagar Arya
    Sagar Arya
    • Tewdric
    • 2023
    Jordan Alexandra
    Jordan Alexandra
    • Guinevere
    • 2023
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews93

    6.06.3K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'The Winter King' TV series has mixed reception, praising acting, production values, and unique Arthurian legend interpretation. Critics familiar with Bernard Cornwell's books express disappointment due to major deviations, altered character traits, and perceived poor writing and pacing. Some viewers appreciate the series for its engaging storytelling and diverse casting, separate from the books. Overall, it is seen as having potential but falling short for many original work fans.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    7drpablocalamari

    It is a different telling of the great story of Arthur Pendragon

    It is a different aproach to the legendary story of Arthur Pendragon. A Tale a little more realistic and dark than the usual. You got to see it with an open mind. It have a very interesting view of thing, very deep in the human process, in the human progress, and in the evolution of the character. You have to see it with patience and profund prospect of analysis. Nothing is in vain. Everything mean something. The ambientance is particularly realistic and with a touch of humility, the main characters are complex and a very human structuration. The interaction bethwen them is very rich. I recommend this serie.
    8Rob1331

    Entertaining Enough

    The Winter King is even better than I expected would be. It tells the story of how of former monk turned warrior, Arthur Pendragon, became known as King Arthur and the lord of war. My only hesitation was that the role of Arthur went to Iain De Caestecker who I only knew from Agents of Shield. His character in that was more of a nerdy scientist so I thought I would have a hard time buying him as Arthur. I was wrong. He is terrific as the lead here. Actually, the entire cast is great here except for the actress who plays Nimue. She's awful and badly written. If you're a fan of this story and King Arthur then this will not disappoint. It's a must watch for any Arthur fan.
    hazardman56

    Read the books instead

    Absolutely awful. I've waited 27 years for someone to bring this to the screen and all I have is a sense of crushing disappointment.

    Right from the start, characters were not doing what the book had set out. The child Mordred was not Uther's son. Norwenna was not Uther's wife.

    Merlin is a Druid of British Celtic origin. Hywel (Welsh name) is Merlin's Steward on the Tor. Lunete is Derfel's first female "companion" , is of Irish origin, and is not related to Hywel in any way. Morgan is disfigured by fire but appears whole on screen. When Gundleus attacks the Tor, Hywel is killed. Derfel rescues Nimue and makes his escape, picking up Hywel's sword. The sword is renamed "Hywelsbane" and features throughout the rest of the tale. That didn't happen on screen so will leave gaping holes in later episodes.

    I lasted to half way through the third episode and then gave up. This ranks as one of the worst book to screen adaptations, only surpassed by "The Running Man"
    5Banic

    An unfaithful adaptation - but meh

    As a fan of book series (written by Bernard Cornwell whom also did the Saxon Stories that 'The Last Kingdom' is based on) I have been following the news and was eager to watch this show. To me, the trailer did not look promising given the lack of time provided to the book's central character - Derfel.

    While it is obvious that this show would not be a faithful adaptation, cinema often isn't so I went in with an open mind.

    The actors do a well enough job with what they are given, but it is obvious that the characters will not be the same as the book series (i.e. Merlin is meant to be senile and old, Morgan is not at all the same). Clearly this happens often as interpretations differ, but Winter King's interpretations are completely opposite to key characteristics for main characters.

    While trying to view this property as a stand alone or outsider unaware of the original story, it is certainly better (maybe a 6.5/10 acknowledging my bias), though it provides nothing new or groundbreaking.

    To most the show would be used to passably kill time. Entertaining enough I suppose. Time will tell where this show goes, does it get better with time or does it become The Witcher.
    5grantgoodrich-68267

    Did you read the books: if yes I doubt you'll like it. Never read the books: probably won't hate it but doubt you'll like it.

    So I love anything that has to do with King Arthur and Bernard Cornwell is one of my favorite writers so to have him do an Arthurian book series was awesome!! I love the tv version of "The Last Kingdom" by him and was really hoping this would be similar but sadly it's not even close. The creators/writers of the show either never read the books or decided to just ignore them entirely. I've watched all 5 episodes to air and every one makes me more disappointed in what could've been a great show. Outside of the fact it's very different from the books the acting, writing, casting, and overall production is just bad. Only gave it a 5 cause I love the legend and original books so much.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The Winter King is a British historical fiction television series based on Bernard Cornwell's The Warlord Chronicles novels written as a mixture of historical fiction and Arthurian legend.
    • Goofs
      Horsemen are depicted using stirrups, which were not introduced into Europe until a century after the time of the Arthurian legend.

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    FAQ

    • How many seasons does The Winter King have?
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    Details

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    • Release date
      • August 20, 2023 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Зимовий король
    • Filming locations
      • Blaise Castle Estate, Bristol, UK(location)
    • Production companies
      • Bad Wolf
      • One Big Picture
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo

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