A still from The Winter King.Image via MGM+
By
Makuochi Echebiri
Published 4 minutes ago
Makuochi Echebiri is a News Writer for Collider. He has been interested in creative writing from as far back as high school, and he would consume pretty much anything that’s film or TV. However, his truest love lies in the presence of historical epics and thrillers.
Lured by the brilliance of Middle Earth from an early age both in print and on screen, his palate has since expanded to other realms including Westeros, Kattegat among others. He also possesses a great appetite for the stories that emanate from the vastness of space. Even though he is no Avenger.
Obsessed with storytelling and having works of his own that have yet to make it to print, he is content to use that ability to communicate to as many as are reachable. In his spare time, he looks out for avenues where he can aid people aside from his plans to reign over this earthly realm. Yes…you heard that first here.
Sign in to your Collider account
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
Since Game of Thrones bowed out in 2019, every major streamer has taken a crack at launching the next big epic series. A few good contenders have emerged, but none have quite matched the global cultural sensation that was HBO's adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. And so the quest continues. MGM+ recently threw its hat into the ring with Robin Hood, a remake of the classic tale headlined by Game of Thrones alum Sean Bean. Fans and critics have responded well, keeping the show high on the charts. Now, in the wake of that buzz, one of the platform's most overlooked fantasy shows is surging back into view and getting the attention it deserved all along.
MGM+, in the summer of 2023, premiered the British historical fiction series, The Winter King, adapted from Bernard Cornwell's trilogy of novels, The Warlord Chronicles. The series offers a fresh angle on Arthurian legend, reimagining the myth in a grittier, grounded sense. Led by Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. star Iain De Caestecker as Arthur Pendragon, The Winter King departs sharply from the traditional tale, portraying Arthur not as a destined heir but as a warrior whose rise to leadership is born out of necessity to protect his people from enemies far and near. The story unfolds through the perspective of Saxon warrior Derfel Cadarn, an Arthur disciple who, though aware of his flaws, believes him to be the only one who can save Britain. A brief synopsis for the show reads:
"The Winter King takes place in Post-Roman Dark Age Britain, where the warlord Arthur Pendragon has been banished while Saxons invade, and a child-king sits unprotected on the throne."
'The Winter King' Divided the Critics and Audience
The Winter King ticked all the right boxes with the critics, earning a 74% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider's Maggie Lovitt, in her review, rated it an 8 out of 10, deeming it a must-watch epic for those in search of the next great historical epic. The review particularly commended the "down-to-the-letter" faithfulness to its source material, the performance of its ensemble, while also earning favorable comparisons to HBO’s House of the Dragon for its intriguing politicking and courtly tension.
Unfortunately, the general audience didn't react the same way, given its below-average 41% popcornmeter score. That lukewarm reception would ultimately influence the show's future, as it was canceled after just one season. Over a year later, it now appears audiences have warmed up to The Winter King as the series has been one of the most-watched titles on MGM+ among U.S. viewers for more than a week. While it's unlikely that this belated interest could force any change of fate, it perhaps suggests that the series was underrated and deserving of more.
You can watch The Winter King now on MGM+.
the-winter-king-tv-series-poster.jpg
8
10
The Winter King
Like Not Yet Rated History Fantasy Drama Release Date 2023 - 2023-00-00 Showrunner Kate Brooke, Ed Whitmore, Bernard Cornwell Writers Kate Brooke, Bernard Cornwell, Ed Whitmore Franchise(s) The Warlord ChroniclesCast
See All-
Iain De Caestecker
-
Daniel Ings
Expand
Collapse
-
Game of Thrones
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
17 hours ago
This Forgotten Sci-Fi TV Show Based on Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt's Time Travel Movie Doesn't Deserve the Hate
21 hours ago
Ahead of Season 2, Idris Elba’s 90% RT Thriller Series Hijacks a New Streamer — But There’s a Catch
1 hour ago
This Chart-Surging Prime Video Fantasy Series Just Gave Its Best Twist to a Fan-Favorite Character
3 hours ago
Director Shawn Levy Reveals Which Star Wars Movie Ryan Gosling's 'Starfighter' Is Inspired By
More from our brands
25 Best R-Rated TV Shows of All Time, Ranked
50 Best New TV Shows to Stream Right Now
Why Did Henry Cavill Leave The Witcher?
'House of the Dragon' Season 3 Will Be More Action Packed Than Season 2 (Fortunately)
‘Game of Thrones’ Fans Need to Check Out This Zombie-Filled Netflix Series With 98% on Rotten Tomatoes
"I Hope The Audience Will Be Open To That Kind Of Change": After George R.R. Martin's Recent Comments, I'm Worried For The Next Game Of Thrones Spinoff
Why Bran Stark Won't Become King In The Winds Of Winter, Despite Game Of Thrones Season 8's Bombshell Twist
What To Watch
July 20, 2025
The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
Trending Now
'Bridgerton' Star Returns to Netflix for New Erotic Thriller Series
If You Miss ‘Game of Thrones’ Epic and Brutal Battles, Netflix’s New Fantasy Series Will Fill the Void
New Look at Western Thriller ‘Frontier Crucible’ Sees William H. Macy Give Myles Clohessy a Dangerous Mission [Exclusive]
