HBO Only Allowed James Norton to Join Middle Ages Drama Series ‘King and Conqueror’ on Condition His Character ‘Must Die’

As a fervent admirer of James Norton‘s acting prowess and his captivating journey through the world of entertainment, I can’t help but feel a pang of regret that he wasn’t able to embody William the Conqueror in “King and Conqueror.” His passion for the role was evident, and it was clear that he saw himself not just as an actor, but as a storyteller deeply invested in the tale of this iconic figure.

In simpler terms, James Norton initially aimed to portray William the Conqueror in the upcoming Middle Ages series “King and Conqueror”, but his plans were hindered as HBO already had an agreement with him for a different show.

In the midst of his role in Joss Whedon’s HBO sci-fi series “The Nevers,” Norton found himself also serving as an executive producer for a BBC/CBS show focusing on the legendary Battle of Hastings. Simultaneously, he started working on “King and Conqueror.” Due to the terms of his HBO contract, he was barred from returning to another series. As a result, he opted to portray Harold, the Anglo-Saxon king who met his end on the battlefield in 1066 after being struck by an arrow in the eye.

HBO made it clear to Norton that he could work on “King and Conquer” since he’s an Executive Producer developing it, but with a caveat: his character would have to meet its end. This was discussed during the panel about “King and Conqueror” at Content London, where Norton clarified the issue stemmed from potential conflicts if the medieval series proved successful and was renewed for another season.

Typically, in actor’s contracts, they can take on short projects like small roles, miniseries, or limited series, but they’re prohibited from committing to long-term projects that might pose a risk. In his words, ‘That’s essentially what happened to me.’

Norton mentioned that Kitty Kaletsky, his producing partner at Rabbit Track Pictures, proposed the idea that his desire to portray William might have stemmed from the fact that the Norman-French aristocrat emerged victorious in the battle. He admitted, “That could very well be true,” but also pointed out that he was initially drawn to the character’s clever and intellectual nature.

Actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, known for his role in “Game of Thrones,” landed the part of character William in the upcoming series titled “King and Conqueror.” Alongside him, this production features Clémence Poésy, Eddie Marsan, Juliet Stevenson, and Luther Ford.

After wrapping up the series shoot in Iceland this year, Norton expressed that he finds it hard to envision things happening differently now.

Nikolai seems perfectly suited for the role of William,” he added. “I believe he’d agree. My experience with Harold was truly captivating, and I imagine Nikolai had a similar adventure with William.

Norton added the shoot had been “dirty, messy – I was covered in mud for six months.”

Kaletsky likewise discussed the reasoning behind the film crew, led by director Baltasar Kormákur (“Everest”), opting to capture one of the most celebrated episodes in British history on location in Iceland.

The producer explained that they considered numerous locations, including the U.K. and various parts of Europe, but ultimately chose Iceland because its vastness offered an exceptional versatility. It could stand in for Normandy, France, multiple English regions, and even Norway. Additionally, Baltasar’s creative vision was a significant factor. His approach to filming was both visceral and had grand scale, ensuring the production would not rely heavily on drones or visual effects. Instead, it promised an intimate feel, while the domestic scenes and battle sequences would be equally intense and immersive, providing a raw, terrifying experience rather than a detached view from above.

2024-12-04 15:46

HBO Only Allowed James Norton to Join Middle Ages Drama Series ‘King and Conqueror’ on Condition His Character ‘Must Die’

Read More

Minority Mindset