If we had to design our ideal BBC 11th century drama it would probably have Happy Valley star James Norton and Game Of Thrones’ Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the leads. Turns out someone has been infiltrating our dreams, as that’s exactly what’s about to happen. 

The pair will star in King And Conqueror, written by Michael Robert Johnson (Sherlock Holmes). The eight-part historical drama will centre on the pair’s bloody battle for the crown, which culminated in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. 

Here’s what we know about the series so far…

What is the plot of King And Conqueror?

Like us, you probably spent countless days at school being lectured about the Battle of Hastings. This new drama will bring to life that feud which occurred 1,000 years ago.

Given those history classes were some time ago and not necessarily the most engaging, shall we find out what the official synopsis has to say?

“King And Conqueror is the story of a clash that defined the future of a country – and a continent – for a thousand years, the roots of which stretch back decades and extend out through a pair of interconnected family dynasties, struggling for power across two countries and a raging sea,” according to the BBC. “Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy were two men destined to meet at the Battle of Hastings in 1066; two allies with no design on the British throne, who found themselves forced by circumstance and personal obsession into a war for possession of its crown.”

Who stars in King And Conqueror?

A historical drama cannot survive on two leads alone. Alongside Norton (who has plenty of experience stepping back in time in War & Peace and Little Women) and Game Of Thrones villain Coster-Waldau, there will also be stars including Emily Beecham (1899, The Pursuit Of Love) as Edith Swan Neck, the wife of Harold, and Clémence Poésy (In Bruges, The Tunnel) who plays Matilda, the wife of William of Normandy.

Eddie Marsan (The Power, Ray Donovan) will play King Edward; Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply) will be his mother, Lady Emma; Luther Ford, who recently played Prince Harry in The Crown, will join as Tostig, the youngest son of the Godwin family; and another Game Of Thrones alumnus, Joseph Mawle, will star as Fitzobern, William’s protector.

When can I watch King And Conqueror? 

Filming for the series drama has recently begun in Iceland, so while it won’t be another thousand years until you get to watch it, it probably won’t land on screen for a little while. Until then, our round-up of the loveliest period dramas has plenty to keep you entertained. 

Images: Charlotte Hadden; Johan Sandberg; BBC