Critic Reviews

It’s Norton and Coster-Waldau’s shoulders with whom the drama’s success truly lies, and with them leading the charge, it’s clear the BBC is heading towards a true victory.

The whole series does feel a bit House of the Dragon. But does it entertain? Yes. And it kind of beats watching Ridley.

King & Conqueror clearly aims to be a ripping yarn. It is not intended to labour points about power, corruption, sacrifice and venality despite their acute relevance. But it hangs a little too heavy. An earnest undertow runs throughout and prevents it ever becoming the combustible fun it could be. A failure to conquer, you might say.

In the end, and despite a starry ensemble, King & Conqueror is a historical epic that doesn’t feel particularly historical and isn’t nearly as epic as the subject matter demands.

In its commitment to ahistorical detail, King & Conqueror becomes a frustrating watch – that is, if you can make out anything at all.