In the BBC drama “King and Conqueror,” the turbulent historical period of medieval Britain is powerfully portrayed. This captivating series follows the complex relationship over a significant duration between Harold Godwinson, who later became King of England, played by James Norton, and William of Normandy, portrayed by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
The story progresses towards the momentous Battle of Hastings in 1066, a pivotal event that irrevocably shaped British history, delving into the significant personalities who orchestrated it.
In the conversation that follows, it’s apparent that some figures receive more thorough documentation than others, a pattern that tends to marginalize women during this period, as historical narratives predominantly focus on kings and warriors rather than them.
In our shared enthusiasm, Emily Beecham (from The Pursuit of Love) and CleÌmence PoeÌsy (known as Daryl Dixon’s companion) in King and Conqueror were granted more creative freedom compared to myself and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
The executive producer, Kitty Kaletsky, attributes their work as creating an “atmosphere of closeness and elegance” within the series.
Michael Robert Johnson, the lead writer, was significantly impacted by ClĂ©mence’s portrayal of Matilda, finding it innovative and inspiring, which shaped his continued approach to scripting the series.
Just like Emily’s unexpected blend of gentle speech and fierce demeanor added a fresh dimension to her character, catching us off guard yet enriching the screen production, the entire team had an incredible time and enjoyed every moment during the filming process.
She mentioned: “They created a strong connection, not only as pairs but also as a quartet. This connection extended further. Consequently, the entire cast developed an exceptionally tight bond due to this dynamic.
If you’re curious to learn more about the characters from that era, here’s a brief overview of our main cast: The Monarch and Victorious Warrior.
King and Conqueror cast: Full list of actors in BBC drama
Below, find the comprehensive roster of ‘King and Conqueror’ – delve deeper into the vital personalities and the performers depicting them, along with potential projects they’ve previously graced.
This version attempts to make the text more engaging by using a conversational tone and simplifying the structure slightly for easier reading.
- James Norton as Harold Godwinson
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William the Conqueror
- Clémence Poésy as Matilda
- Emily Beecham as Edith
- Luther Ford as Tostig
- Ingvar Sigurdsson as Fitzosbern
- Eddie Marsan as King Edward
- Juliet Stevenson as Lady Emma
- Jean-Marc Barr as Henry I of France
- Geoff Bell as Godwin
- Elliot Cowan as Sweyn
- Bo Bragason as Queen Gunhild
- Bjarne Henriksen as Earl Siward
- Oliver Masucci as Baldwin
- Clare Holman as Gytha
- Jason Forbes as Thane Thomas
- Joakim NĂ€tterqvist as Thorolf
- Elander Moore as Morcar
- Indy Lewis as Margaret
- Ines Asserson as Judith
- Sveinn Ălafur Gunnarsson as Hardrada
- LĂ©o Legrand as Odo
- Ăorsteinn Bachmann as Baron of Brittany
- Louise Kim Salter as Agnes
James Norton as Harold Godwinson
I’m a figure deeply connected with William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy, who is destined to one day claim the throne as King of England. That’s me – Harold.
Norton clarified, referring to Harold and William. “It’s clear they forged a friendship,” he said. “They were like-minded individuals, emerging leaders in Europe during their time. Their camaraderie was evident when they fought together at Normandy, bonded as comrades-in-arms. However, this alliance seemed to dissolve by the Battle of Hastings.
He noted that Nikolaj really brought depth to his role, which helped create a sense of balance in the show. We didn’t want one clear hero or villain; instead, we aimed for the audience to be divided and for people to have differing opinions about Harold and William.
Besides his work on Grantchester, Happy Valley, McMafia, War & Peace, The Trial of Christine Keeler, and Little Women, Norton has also appeared in films such as Greta Gerwig’s adaptation, Netflix’s Joy, and the biopic Bob Marley: One Love.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William the Conqueror
Who is William the Conqueror? He is better known as the Duke of Normandy and is renowned for his conquest of England following his victory over Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The show explores an unexpected friendship between them, which later tragically culminated in their fateful encounter.
In essence, Coster-Waldau described the tale as one that seems to set the stage for a harmonious bond between two individuals, only for the narrative to take an unexpected turn and evolve into something very distinct.
Initially, I was completely unaware of this historical period. However, as I delved into my studies and perused through various accounts, I was genuinely astonished to discover a dramatically different Europe compared to what it is today. The impact and might of the Normans, the Vikings during that epoch truly left an indelible mark on me.
Beyond Game of Thrones, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has also been seen in other notable roles, such as in the Apple TV+ drama “The Last Thing He Told Me” alongside Jennifer Garner.
Clémence Poésy as Matilda
Who is Matilda in relation to William? Matilda is his spouse, someone he holds dear, and often seeks her counsel.
According to PoĂ©sy’s description, it’s intriguing and fun to delve into these little-known characters. Unraveling the truth about them is quite a challenge, but we leaned towards viewing Matilda as the political figure, while William was portrayed as the warrior and conqueror.
She possesses knowledge about politics due to her upbringing within these influential families. Could it be that the harmonious combination of their unique abilities enabled him to govern so effectively?
Is there anything else CleÌmence PoĂ©sy is recognized for acting in aside from her role as Fleur Delacour in the Harry Potter movies? Notable subsequent roles include those in Sky’s crime drama series The Tunnel, the film Tenet directed by Christopher Nolan, Apple TV+’s period production The Essex Serpent, and a spin-off of The Walking Dead called The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
Emily Beecham as Edith
Who is Edith? Edith is the wife of Harold Godwinson.
As a movie enthusiast, I found myself intrigued yet puzzled by the character of Edith. She went by many aliases: Edith the Fair, Edith Swan-Neck. But the enigma was in understanding who exactly she was to Harold. Unraveling that mystery became my quest.
Her union with Harold wasn’t acknowledged by the church due to their Danish wedding ceremony, leaving her exposed and potentially contributing to the tumultuous storyline we see on screen but wouldn’t want in our own lives. Adding to this was Harold’s relentless ambition.
Apart from her critically acclaimed performance as the title character in the 2017 indie film Daphne, Emily Beecham has also been seen in Disney’s Cruella, Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, BBC One’s The Pursuit of Love, and Netflix’s 1899.
Luther Ford as Tostig
Who is Tostig? Tostig is the brother of Harold Godwinson.
What other shows or films has actor Luther Ford appeared in aside from The Crown and Black Doves?
Eddie Marsan as King Edward
Who is King Edward? Also known as Edward the Confessor, he is the last king of the House of Wessex.
Besides Eddie Marsan’s role in Ray Donovan, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe, Supacell and Heartstopper, he has also been featured in notable television series. In films, he can be seen in Deadpool 2, Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw, and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, demonstrating his versatility as an actor.
Juliet Stevenson as Lady Emma
Who is Lady Emma? Lady Emma is King Edward’s mother, who holds great influence over him.
In addition to her role in “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” for which she received a BAFTA nomination in 1991, Juliet Stevenson has also been involved in productions such as “The Politician’s Wife,” “The Village,” “Atlantis,” and “The Long Call.” Recently, she appeared as prison governor Charity Taylor in “A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story.
Geoff Bell as Godwin
Who is Godwin? Godwin is Harold’s father.
Have you seen any other shows or movies featuring Geoff Bell? He has recently appeared in MobLand, His Dark Materials, and Mr Bigstuff with Danny Dyer. They also collaborated in the 2021 comedy film Marching Powder.
Bo Bragason as Queen Gunhild
Who is Gunhild? Gunhild is the daughter of Harold and Edith.
Has Bo Bragason been in anything else besides Three Girls, Renegade Nell, and The Jetty? Her most prominent role so far might just be as Zelda in the forthcoming The Legend of Zelda movie produced by Nintendo and Sony.
Oliver Masucci as Baldwin
Who is Baldwin? Baldwin is a Norman associate of William.
Has Oliver Masucci been in anything else besides Dark on Netflix and the Fantastic Beasts movie?”, or “What other productions has German actor Oliver Masucci been part of, notably including Dark on Netflix and The Secrets of Dumbledore from the Fantastic Beasts series?
Clare Holman as Gytha
Who is Gytha? Gytha is the mother of Harold Godwinson, and wife to Godwin.
Has Clare Holman made any other notable appearances? Clare Holman is widely recognized for her roles as Dr Laura Hobson on Inspector Morse and Lewis, both renowned detective dramas. Lately, she has been seen in the critically-acclaimed Sherwood on BBC and Treason, a Netflix series featuring Charlie Cox.
Jason Forbes as Thane Thomas
Who is Thane Thomas? One of Harold’s closest and most trusted allies.
Has Jason Forbes been involved in any other projects recently?
Or,
What more projects has Jason Forbes worked on lately?
Or,
Besides 3 Body Problem on Netflix and A Gentleman in Moscow on Paramount+, what else has Jason Forbes been a part of?
Indy Lewis as Margaret
Margaret is the sister of Morcar, the Earl of Mercia, and she has spent her life in the kingdom in a secluded manner.
Has Indy Lewis appeared in any other productions, aside from Industry on BBC and House of David on Prime Video?
King and Conqueror is coming to BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday 24th August 2025.
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2025-08-24 10:36