Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Star Plays King Arthur in MGM+’s The Winter King — See First Photos and Get Release Date
Iain De Caestecker is going from Marvel comics to an even more legendary tale of adventure.
The Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. alum stars as the future King Arthur in the MGM+ historical epic The Winter King, which has landed a 10-episode series order, TVLine has learned. The Winter King will premiere Sunday, Aug. 20 at 9/8c.
Based on the Warlord Chronicles book series by Bernard Cornwell, The Winter King “is set in the fifth century, long before Britain was united, in a brutal land of warring factions and tribes, where lives were often fleeting,” according to the official synopsis. “The series follows Arthur Pendragon as he evolves from outcast to legendary warrior and leader.”
De Caestecker plays Arthur Pendragon, who would go on to become the legendary King Arthur. (The actor played engineering whiz Fitz on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for the first six seasons, with a limited role in the seventh and final season.) Jordan Alexandra (Bridgerton) co-stars as Guinevere, with Nathaniel Martello-White (I Hate Suzie) as Merlin. The supporting cast includes Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan) as High King Uther, Ellie James (I May Destroy You) as Nimue and Stuart Campbell (Rogue Heroes) as Derfel. Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders, His Dark Materials) serves as lead director and executive producer.
Scroll down to see more first-look photos from The Winter King, and then hit the comments to share your first impressions.
So Merlin is black. An African druid? Wow, even an author as big as Bernard Cornwell gets SJWed. Quick fact: there were no recorded African druids. I’ll skip this one, thanks.
I don’t know if the term is PC anymore but he’d simply be a Moor who’d been raised with local customs. Merlin is a legendary wizard and I’m pretty sure those aren’t real, so is a Black druid really where suspension of disbelief ends? People are so arbitrary about their fantasies. 🤣 No book series is entitled to a TV version but if you can’t appreciate that then don’t watch.
I didn’t know Merlin and king Arthur were real….besides how do you know he wasnt the best for the job
The show Merlin had an African Guinevere. What else is new?
Say you’re a racist without saying you’re a racist.
It’s fun seeing people like you get triggered.
Oh no black people in fantasy! Everyone run!
He had a knight who was literally black in the books.
If you’ve read the books (which are superb, probably Cornwell’s finest work IMO) you’ll know that there are several characters that are not “British” (the books are largely set in the historical kingdom of Dumnonia) such as Sagramor, so there is a precedent in the books and it’s also possible Merlin is a composite character as the cast would be enormous if every character from the books were to appear.
Can’t edit my post but Ken Nwosu is playing Sagramor.
Pretty sure there were no wizards, ladies of the lake, or mythical swords in stones either *shrug*
It’s Iain not Ian. Anyway glad to see him continue to thrive after AoS, he’s done a lot of British telly
Yeah as to me him and Elizabeth hentrridge were the best part of the show outside of Clark Gregg and she’s had sucess behind the camera
No Ming-Na?
I have a hard time picturing Eddie Marsan as Iain de Caestecker’s father. I have no problems with the rest of the casting.
Welp, this is yet another show I will want to see.
I’ll watch Iain in anything! Fantastic actor!!
Don’t feed the trolls, folks.