Did you like The Last Kingdom and do you miss the series? Don’t miss this new medieval fiction, as epic as it is bloody, available for streaming.
What is it about ?
In the fifth century, long before the unification of Britain, lives were often fleeting in this savage land of warring factions and tribes. The series follows the evolution of Arthur Pendragon who, from an outcast, becomes a legendary warrior and leader.
If you miss The Last Kingdom, try The Winter King!
Broadcast from 2015 to 2022, the series The Last Kingdom was a popular success on the BBC and then on Netflix with 5 thrilling seasons telling the epic tale of Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon). This fictional universe ended in 2023 with the film The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die, which serves as a conclusion to the series.
You should know that The Last Kingdom is an adaptation of the literary series Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, British author considered a great specialist in historical novels and to whom we owe several series of books.
Simon Ridgway 2022
Good news, a new fiction adapted from another of his literary series – The Saga of King Arthur told in 3 volumes from 1998 to 2001 – is now available on OCS in France. Entitled The Winter King, this new series tells in 10 episodes the genesis of the future legendary King Arthur before the creation of the Knights of the Round Table. Note that the first two episodes of The Winter King were directed by Otto Bathurst, director of the film Robin Hood, with Taron Edgerton and Jamie Foxx.
Created and written by Kate Brooke (Mr. Selfridge) and Ed Whitmore (Strike Back, English Murders), The Winter King focuses in particular on his rivalry with his father Uther and the Silures, led by the ruthless Gundleus. But above all it is the story of emancipation and learning of Arthur Pendragon, future King, and his incredible epic, like Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
The audience is plunged into a dark period in British history, where Britain is deeply divided between its tribes. The threat of the Saxons and internal conflicts threaten this land which is desperately seeking the one who will allow union and who will save an entire people. The Winter King returns to the origins of the story of the famous King Arthur.
Simon Ridgway 2022
On the casting side, series fans will find familiar faces like Iain De Caestecker (Leopold Fitz from the Marvel series: Agents of SHIELD) in the skin of Arthur Pendragon and Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan) in the costume of Uther Pendragon, the father of Arthur.
In addition, the cast includes Nathaniel Martello-White (Misfits, Small Axe) in the skin of the wizard Merlin, Simon Merrells (Spartacus: War of the Damned, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) in the costume of Gundleus king of Silures, Celtic people of present-day Wales, Ellie James (I May Destroy You, War of the Worlds) in the role of Nimue, a druidess who has apocalyptic visions.
The series is narrated by Stuart Campbell (Rogue Heroes), who plays Derfel Cadarn, a warrior and disciple of Arthur, who saved his life as a child. This is all the subtlety of this version of the Arthurian legend, told over two temporalities. Derfel, having become a monk, writes his memoirs for Igraine, queen of Powys, and recounts his youthful adventures with Arthur.
We then follow these parallel adventures of this man who became a warrior, friend and close confidant of the future King Arthur. This double narration is a sort of mise en abyme which comes close to a realistic story centered even more on the strategist and warrior spirit of Arthur, a statesman.
The Winter King series is currently broadcast on OCS Max and is available on OCS on demand.