Fans of The Last Kingdom rejoice – another Bernard Cornwall adaption is arriving on our screens this Christmas.
Rather than the Viking invasion, The Winter King tells the story of King Arthur, albeit with the legend rooted in the reality of the Dark Ages. (Don't expect any dragons or ladies in lakes.)
We spoke to Arthur himself Iain De Caestecker about wielding Excalibur, career goals and fashion fails.
Life
What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?
The Winter King is out on ITVX on 21 December. It's not really a Christmas show but it is a big, bold and fresh retelling of the famous Arthurian legend. It has all the bells and whistles you would expect: King Arthur, Merlin, Guinevere, there's also battles and horses and big historical landscapes.
But, it also is a much more human and grounded version of these characters and that world that has never been seen before and a lot of the familiar have a new slant on them. We've really tried to root it in reality.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
When I get to the end of any production, I'm pretty surprised to have been a part of it and made it to the end. It's hard to pick just one but I would say The Winter King was special as it was a gruelling and very physical shoot.
Arthur wasn't a part I ever thought I'd have the chance of stepping into so it felt like a cool one.
If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?
There's sometimes a sense of wanting to go back and have certain experiences again and appreciate them fully. Mostly, when I was younger and in the midst of it, I could forget to enjoy it.
What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?
I'd love to visit Japan one day. I've been dying to go and see it for such a long time so that's high on the list. I'd also love to make a movie with friends.
Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?
My best mate Nick.
Tell us something nobody knows about you…
I have two cats. I like one of them more than the other...
Style
What’s your favourite item of clothing – and what does it mean to you?
I have a vintage brown jacket with a padded red inner lining that I bought for about five quid years ago and I love it still.
It's been everywhere with me. Should probably get it dry-cleaned by now actually...
Favourite accessory – watch / jewellery / etc – and why is it special to you?
I've got a very cool watch that the gang from Agents of SHIELD bought for me.
What's been your most embarrassing style fail? An outfit or item you now regret wearing?
I'm not going to tell you that one because the internet exists now. Forever. So best not to lead anyone to a picture of it.
Is there an item you threw away – or lost – that you really miss?
Not that I can remember. I mostly wear clothes into the ground and to the point where I have no option but to get rid of them.
What’s next on your shopping list?
I'd love a pair of wellies for walks in the park.
What would you buy if money was no object?
David Beckham’s house. And it can't be a carbon copy it has to specifically be his.
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Watch The Winter King on ITVX
