The Winter King: UK release date, trailer, and cast with Iain DeCaestecker and Eddie Marsan

The Winter King, a new adaptation of Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord chronicles, is set to make its US debut this weekend.

The series, which will air on ITV1 later this year, stars Marvel’s Iain DeCaestecker as a young King Arthur in a new take on Arthurian legends. 

Here’s everything you need to know about The Winter King ahead of its debut.

What is it about?

The official synopsis explains that The Winter King is an “epic and intimate” series, which “portrays a revisionist take on the well-loved Arthurian legends and follows Arthur Pendragon as he evolves from outcast son to legendary warrior and leader. The Winter King is set in the 5th century, long before Britain was united, in a land of warring factions and tribes when the world was brutal and lives were often fleeting.”

Who stars in The Winter King? 

Iain De Caestecker plays Arthur Pendragon, future king of England. De Caestecker is probably best known for his lead role in the Marvel television series Agents of SHIELD, though you might also recognise him from horror fantasy The Fades, political drama Roadkill, or David Nicholl adaptation Us. 

Eddie Marsan plays Uther Pendragon, Arthur’s father. Marsan is a prolific actor, who you’ll recognise from the likes of Ray Donovan, Deceit, and Ridley Road; most recently, he’s appeared in the ITV true crime drama The Thief, HIs Wife, and The Canoe, as well as Amazon Prime Video’s adaptation of Naomi Alderman’s The Power.  

They’re joined by Daniel Ings (I Hate Suzie, The Crown) as Owain, Valene Kane (The Fall, Gangs of London) as Arthur’s sister Morgan, Andrew Gower (Outlander, Carnival Row) as Sansum, Simon Merrells (Good Omens, Knightfall) as rival King Gundleus among others.

Who writes and directs The Winter King?

Kate Brooke (Bancroft, A Discovery of Witches) and Ed Whitmore (Silent Witness, Manhunt) are serving as showrunners on this adaptation, with Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders, His Dark Materials) as lead director. 

Is there a trailer for The Winter King?

Yes, there is. You can watch it right here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZLAtg-yuPA

When and how can I watch The Winter King?

The Winter King will debut first on the US premium subscription channel MGM+ on Sunday 20 August, with new episodes airing each week. You can access it via add-on subscription through Amazon Prime Video.

Later this year, the series will then make its UK debut on ITVX, followed eventually by a television broadcast on ITV1. Dates are yet to be announced for either transmission.

How many episodes are there?

The Winter King is a ten-part drama, with each episode running to around an hour long.

Where was The Winter King filmed?

The Winter King was filmed on location in Wales (where production company Bad Wolf are based) and the West Country, with a number of key scenes set in the Blaise Castle Estate. 

Is it based on a book?

Yes, it is. The Winter King is an adaptation of Bernard Cornwell’s novel of the same name, the first in a trilogy of novels about Arthurian legends first published between 1995 and 1997.

Why should I watch The Winter King? 

It’s one to check out if you’re a fan of Cornwell’s novels, or if you’re a fan of Arthurian legends and want to see a new take on them realised on screen.