At its heart is the struggle for the English throne in 1066, a conflict that would determine not only the fate of England but also the future of Europe for the next thousand years. Two dynasties become entangled in a power struggle, with Harold and William—initially allies with no ambition for the crown—forced by circumstance and personal obsession to meet on the battlefield of Hastings.
The series is written by Michael Robert Johnson, known for Sherlock Holmes, and directed by Baltasar Kormákur, who previously created Everest and 2 Guns. It stars James Norton, known for Happy Valley, as Harold, Earl of Wessex, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, famous for Game of Thrones, as William, Duke of Normandy.
Both actors also serve as executive producers, with Coster-Waldau also directing an episode.
The impressive cast also includes Emily Beecham as Edith Swan-neck, Clémence Poésy as Matilda, Eddie Marsan as King Edward, Juliet Stevenson as Lady Emma, and Jean-Marc Barr as King Henry. Luther Ford, Oliver Masucci, Ingvar Sigurdsson, and Léo Legrand are also part of the ensemble.
The production was largely filmed in Iceland. International distribution is handled by Paramount Global Content Distribution, with Warner Bros. Discovery acquiring the rights for HBO Max.
King and Conqueror tells not only a war story but also a drama of intrigue, power, and ambition that irrevocably changed the course of history.
The series will be available to stream exclusively on HBO Max starting Thursday, August 28th. Watch a teaser below.
