As the TV adaptation of The Warlord Chronicles novel, The Winter King, premiered on MGM+ on August 20, the show’s executive producer, Julie Gardner, provided details of the process of translating the book for television.
In the 21st century, the most triumphant transformation of a book into a TV series, revolving around swords and conflicts, is unquestionably Game of Thrones. However, any new show undertaking a similar endeavor is bound to face parallels with HBO‘s production.
However, in an interview with Newsweek, Gardner revealed The Winter King is approaching the challenge from a distinct perspective.
She shared, “Game of Thrones casts a long and great shadow. It’s a series I adored. It’s impossible to compete with the scale of that production. We’re a much more intimate offering. I’d hope that we can sit alongside it, find our own path and tone, offer an audience an escape into a new world far from the stresses of daily life in 2023.”
Regarding the challenges of making The Winter King, Gardner said, “We hope we’ve honored the spirit of the novel. That was hugely important to everyone involved. One of our primary ambitions was to realize the intimate, human relationships that have made the Arthurian legends an enduring narrative over generations whilst also reaching for the epic.”
She also praised Bernard Cornwell, the author of the book trilogy, stating, “Bernard Cornwell is a master storyteller; a master at historical fiction. In The Warlord Chronicles, Bernard not only dazzles in his worldbuilding but tells an intimate, emotionally epic story, full of the characters’ ambitions, sacrifices, failures and triumph,” Gardner remarked.
“He is an incredible cheerleader and support. He has a light touch when it comes to the adaptation of his work. He trusts the ambitions of his collaborators. It was a thrill to have him join our table read and greet the work with enthusiasm and support. His approval is very important to us all,” Gardner added.
The Winter King offers a fresh viewpoint on the legendary tale of King Arthur. It features Stuart Campbell, Ellie James, Daniel Ings, and Eddie Marsan. The leading roles of Arthur and Merlin are played by Iain De Caestecker and Nathaniel Martello-White.