The Winter King premieres August 20 exclusively on MGM+
Actor Iain De Caestecker has long been a supporting player in want of a starring role. With the MGM+ series The Winter King, he’s been handed the brass ring of playing the juiciest of parts, and boy, does he shoot his shot. A gritty, grounded adaptation of author Bernard Cornwell’s The Warlord Chronicles trilogy, The Winter King remixes and reframes the characters and specifics of the Arthurian legend for a more historical, less fantastical portrayal of how legendary king Arthur Pendragon came to power in Dark Ages Britain. It’s gory, talky, and drenched in political and religious intrigue, which makes it a worthy cousin to Game of Thrones. And much like that seminal series, it’s the caliber of its exceptional cast, led by De Caestecker’s compelling portrayal of Arthur, that makes The Winter King worth watching.
Magic, as oft-personified by Merlin the mage, Morgan le Fay, and Nimue (a.k.a. The Lady of the Lake), is usually the hook upon which most tellings of these tales are hung. But The Winter King distinguishes itself by eschewing everything concerning castings, curses, and potions to portray the realities of a Britain under the constant attack of invading Saxons. As the tribal kings bicker amongst themselves, hot-headed Dumnonian High King Uther (Eddie Marsan) reels from the loss of his beloved son in battle – a death Uther blames on his bastard son, Arthur. Honorable and loyal, Arthur is an easy target of ire as he’s constantly seeking acceptance from his withholding daddy. But all that fealty gets him is an epic, public ass-whooping and banishment from Dumnonia.
Episode 1 does an excellent job introducing all of the many players in Arthur’s circle of influence, while laying out the political and familial basics concerning Dumnonia, the tribal kings and the Saxon threat. In particular, Merlin’s (Nathaniel Martello-White) blissful outpost of Avalon is the epicenter of the fading Pagan ways and an incubator for future leaders. His reach is subtle but pervasive as his gift of visions makes him a trusted advisor to Uther, a mentor to young Arthur, healer to the former enslaved Saxon Derfel Cadarn (Stuart Campbell), and a teacher to Nimue (Ellie James), whom he says will become the most powerful Druid in all of Britain. Utilizing almost a decades worth of well-paced time jumps in one hour, writers Kate Brooke and Ed Whitmore get us through a lot of necessary exposition that’s dispersed in a variety of absorbing ways, like the commanding, theatrical monologues of Marsan’s intense King Uther or the more intimate character-centric exchanges between sweethearts Derfel and Nimue.
In the wake of Arthur’s banishment to Gaul where he is absent for the majority of the first two episodes, the series wisely takes the time to establish its supporting ensemble's motivations and story arcs. Arthur may not be seen, but he remains an important virtual presence in Dumnonia as his allies like Merlin, his sister Morgan (Valene Kane), and his warrior-friend Owain (Daniel Ings), continue to try and bend Uther’s mercy towards him. It isn’t until the third episode that Arthur returns, possessing the wisdom he’s gained living and training as a warrior away from the petty issues of Dumnonia. He’s now a man well-versed in applied diplomacy, strategy, and combat, and he brings all of that home with him. That knowledge translates into a striking confidence and resilience to not only protect his vulnerable baby brother Prince Mordred, but change the status quo in Britain’s tribal king relations.
From episode 3 through episode 5, it’s really De Caestecker’s show. Arthur is the center of the wheel of influence in a changing Britain, as his decisions, gambles, and mentoring have a tremendous impact on everyone in his circle. He’s riveting to watch, commanding both the bombastic confrontations with outsized personalities and the quieter interactions with enemies and allies. De Caestecker plays Arthur as a risk-taker without hubris but plenty of internalized doubt – a statesman trying his skills in the field.
As a whole, the familiar events of the Arthurian lore play out in Shakespearean ways with betrayals, bloody combat, and smartly swung dialogue landing many a devastating blow too. And much like any contemporary theatrical stage production of the classics that has color-blind casting, so too does this series, which feels no need to explain itself. Every performance is top notch, with standouts including James’ seething Nimue and Simon Merrells’ heinously brutal Gundleus. The ensemble operates like they’re in an easily digestible Royal Shakespeare Company production, giving accessible and earthy performances that keep the machinations and connections intimate and understandable.
The Winter King’s approach to what’s been previously portrayed as mystical also allows for a more pragmatic view of the history, fully placing the onus for major moments of war and diplomacy on the decisions of man instead of magic. The story frames the building chasm between Merlin and Nimue’s passionate defense of Pagainism’s old ways versus Christianity’s creeping hold on the land in a fascinatingly dispassionate way. It allows Arthur to play the levelheaded observer who chooses to be counseled by both sides, allowing each to inform his view of what feels most just and fair in order to build his more peaceful Britain. It also means iconic lore from the legends is presented in almost pedestrian ways, extending interpretation to the audience and their personal lenses.
Those with an aversion to violence, take heed: The Winter King is rife with slashings, guttings, and even rape. (The last of which is handled with appreciated measure, as its inclusion is core to a character’s arc.) But in keeping with its period setting, the women onscreen don’t have much power or control over their destinies as their needs for justice are wholly subverted by the whims and demands of the male rulers. The character of Guinevere is not included in the five episodes provided for review, so how she’s depicted in this adaptation remains something to look forward to in terms of her agency and impact on Arthur’s ascendence into leadership. While a bleak story overall, The Winter King’s fresh telling still makes you still want to see how this particular version ends.
source https://www.ign.com/articles/the-winter-king-review-mgm-plus-king-arthur