King Arthur receives a gritty and creative makeover in the exciting new series “The Winter King,” airing on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on MGM+. Inspired by Bernard Cromwell’s “The Warlord Chronicles” novels, this period drama takes viewers on a thrilling journey through Dark Ages Britain, where warring tribes and constant battles against the Saxons paint a brutal and realistic picture. With a touch of campiness and some questionable wig choices, “The Winter King” may not be perfect, but it still manages to capture the attention of fans of shows like “Vikings,” its spinoff, and “House of the Dragon.”
The story begins with Arthur, played by Iain De Caestecker, a warrior on the battlefield and the illegitimate son of the king. The show wastes no time in establishing its tone, with numerous closeups of Arthur’s grimy and blood-streaked face. Things take a dark turn when Arthur brings his deceased brother back to his abusive father, King Uther, portrayed by Eddie Marsan. The enraged king almost kills Arthur, but Merlin, the king’s advisor played by Nathaniel Martello-White, intervenes and convinces King Uther to banish Arthur instead.
From this point, the show jumps around in time, marked by frequent screen captions like “3 months later” or “8 years later.” It follows various characters and their intertwining plotlines, including Arthur, Merlin’s protégé Nimue, played by Ellie James, and a boy named Derfel, portrayed by Stuart Campbell, whom Arthur rescues from a mass grave. The eight-year time jump reveals that Derfel grew up in the peaceful village of Avalon after his rescue, but he feels a compelling desire to be a warrior rather than live a quiet farm life. An ill-fated love story develops between Derfel and Nimue. Meanwhile, when the king has a newborn son named Mordred and declares him his heir, Merlin has a vision that foretells Mordred’s tyranny and the destruction of Britain. In an effort to prevent this, Merlin seeks to bring the exiled Arthur back, believing that only he can unite the kingdom and protect it from outside threats.
“The Winter King,” like “Game of Thrones,” blends historical drama with fantastical elements. It is set in the historical kingdom of Dumnonia rather than the more legendary Camelot. Magical elements are present, as Merlin has visions and Nimue communicates with the gods through a wolf apparition. The series takes liberties with the King Arthur story, altering details such as the relationship between Arthur and Mordred. While the writing may occasionally stumble and characters may feel like archetypes, the pacing of the show remains engaging and ensures that it never becomes slow or dull. “The Winter King” may not be a masterpiece, but it offers an appealing and thrilling experience for fans of gritty and epic tales of swords and sandals.
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