Happy Valley's James Norton stars in epic first-look trailer for new BBC drama King & Conqueror

In one scene, we see Norton's Harold say: "I cannot let William even think that he can take the crown." But William certainly won't go down without a fight, assembling an army to take on Harold, with things getting increasingly tense as the battle lines are well and truly formed.

"I am the true King of England," William can be seen shouting out to his army before they charge – and that they do as some pretty epic fight scenes unfold.

You can watch the trailer for yourself below.

The trailer also gives us a glimpse at the extensive cast, which includes Emily Beecham as Edith Swan-neck, Clémence Poésy as Matilda, Eddie Marsan as King Edward, Juliet Stevenson as Lady Emma, Elander Moore as Morcar, Clare Holman as Gytha, Luther Ford as Tostig, Bo Bragason as Queen Gunhild and Geoff Bell as Godwin.

The series also boasts the likes of Jean-Marc Barr as King Henry, Elliott Cowan as Sweyn, Bjarne Henriksen as Earl Siward, Oliver Masucci as Baldwin, Indy Lewis as Margaret, as well as Jason Forbes as Thane Thomas, Ingvar Sigurdsson as Fitzosbern, Ines Asserson as Judith, Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson as Hardrada and Léo Legrand as Odo.

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The official synopsis for King & Conqueror reads: "King & 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.

"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 English throne, who found themselves forced by circumstance and personal obsession into a war for possession of its crown."

While we'd had some first-look images of the series released last year, this trailer marks a proper look at the drama to come and we're sure it'll be a highlight for our TV schedules later this year.

Previously speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Norton explained that he was especially exciting about King & Conqueror, not only because of his starring role but because he's also an integral part of the behind-the-scenes team.

He explained: "I mean, that was a real journey for me, because I produced that show as well," he explained. "So I've been developing it for about six, seven years, and it's been percolating. We've been having meetings. We've been talking to directors, writers. You know, it's been a long, long journey."

He added: "That's another story, which, you know, bizarrely, has never been told on film. We've never seen a Battle of Hastings drama. So, yeah, so exciting, so exciting. I'm so proud."

King and Conqueror will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One next year.

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