New Sweeping Period Drama King and Conqueror for BBC One

CBS Studios has unveiled the new period drama series King and Conqueror, based on the iconic 11th-century figures Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy, for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The eight-episode series is written by Michael Robert Johnson (Sherlock Holmes) and premiere directed by Baltasar Kormákur (Everest, 2 Guns). It stars James Norton (Happy Valley, Bob Marley: One Love) as Harold, Earl of Wessex, who will also executive produce through his Rabbit Track Pictures production company, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones) as William, Duke of Normandy, who is directing an episode and also serves as executive producer.

King and Conqueror tells the story of a clash that defined the future of a country—and a continent—for a thousand years. Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy were two men destined to meet at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, allies with no design on the British throne, who found themselves forced by circumstance and personal obsession into a war for possession of its crown.

The series will head into production next year in Iceland and is produced by The Development Partnership, Rabbit Track Pictures, Shepherd Content, RVK Studios and CBS Studios, in association with the BBC.

“We are thrilled to partner with James, Nikolaj, Baltasar and the entire creative team on King and Conqueror, a truly groundbreaking series with world-class talent and global reach,” says Lindsey Martin, senior VP of international co-productions and development at CBS Studios. “Michael’s scripts offer a bold and fresh take on a story that has endured for nearly 1,000 years, and yet, the themes are as contemporary and relevant as ever. We are incredibly proud of what the team has achieved so far and can’t wait to see it all come to fruition on screen with our star-studded cast.”

Sue Deeks, head of BBC program acquisition, added: “In the U.K., we learn about William the Conqueror, the Battle of Hastings and King Harold’s gruesome death in our school history lessons—but those headlines are all most of us can remember. King and Conqueror will bring Harold and William to life, depicting their lives, loves and families, and the gripping, high-stakes power game that led to their fateful meeting in 1066. With incredible talent both in front of and behind the camera, I cannot wait for this exciting project to be realized.”