Historical drama and fantasy have undoubtedly been reinvigorated in the modern TV landscape, with the unprecedented success of Game of Thrones sparking interest in other production companies to try their hand at the genre. That series saw a successful spin-off with House of the Dragon, and it remains unmatched in popularity despite other projects garnering attention, like Prime Video’s The Rings of Power or Netflix’s The Witcher. More recently, in the realm of cinema, Gods of Egypt has been a hit on Netflix, consistently ranking in the top 10.
For fans of historical drama always looking for the next big show on the horizon, the upcoming King and Conqueror is an excellent title for Game of Thrones fans, and for those wanting more after enjoying Gods of Egypt on Netflix. Here is why you will want to check out the new series when it releases.
What We Know About ‘King and Conqueror’ Should Have Fans Excited
The inclusion of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau should be enough to have any GoT or Gods of Egypt fan interested in checking out King and Conqueror. The actor is revered for his pivotal role in the franchise as Jaime Lannister, and many have discovered him again thanks to the surge in popularity of the Egyptian-themed action flick on Netflix.
In King and Conqueror, Coster-Waldau plays William the Conqueror during the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which saw him come up against Harold Godwinson, the culmination of a bitter rivalry. The trailer for the BBC limited series promises large-scale epic battles, with a historical retelling of one of the most critical battles in British history, which impacted and shaped all of Europe. Fans of medieval history have also been quick to note the comparisons between the events surrounding the Battle of Hastings and many of the power struggles in Game of Thrones, making it an ideal adaptation with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as the face of the show.
‘King and Conqueror’ Is Taking the Right Approach to Historical Drama
BBC One
James Norton, best known for his role in Happy Valley, who has been cast as Harold Godwinson, spoke about the dedication involved in bringing the project to life during a pre-screening of the show: “I was covered in mud and blood and layers of leather; it was a brutal shoot.” He also praised director Baltasar Kormákur: “He had a very clear vision around the tone and the aesthetic – from the very beginning he wanted to avoid this being a clean, cozy period drama.” (via Hitpaw).
The approach to depicting a grittier, more authentic medieval period places the miniseries aesthetic comfortably alongside Game of Thrones. At the same time, fans of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau will be excited to see him in another historical setting after seeing him in Gods of Egypt. Whether the series can reach the same levels of hype is yet to be seen, but with a polished trailer and phenomenal cast, King and Conqueror looks like it could be poised to be the next big thing in historical drama. The first episode of King and Conqueror is scheduled to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on August 24, 2025.
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