Arthurian legend The Winter King begins streaming on ITVX today (December 21) and eagle-eyed viewers will spot that many scenes were filmed in Bristol.
A bold and revisionist take on the well-loved Arthurian Legends, The Winter King was filmed across Wales and the South West.
At the Grade II-listed Blaise Castle Estate in Henbury, Bristol, a large section of the Echo Gate area of parkland was transformed into the medieval village of 'Avalon', complete with a large central tower (Merlin's Tower) and authentic period thatched dwellings constructed from wood, wattle and daub.
The ten-part drama follows Arthur Pendragon, played by Iain De Caestecker (The Control Room, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) as he evolves from outcast to legendary warrior and leader. Set in the 5th century long before Britain was united, The Winter King explores a land of warring factions and tribes when the world was brutal and lives were often fleeting.
Other cast members are Stuart Campbell (SAS Rogue Heroes, Clique) as Derfel, Ellie James (Giri/Haji, I May Destroy You) as Nimue, Eddie Marsan (The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe, Deceit) as Uther, High King of Dumnonia, Nathaniel Martello-White (Small Axe, I Hate Suzie) as Merlin, Daniel Ings (I Hate Suzie, The Crown) as Owain, Valene Kane (The Fall, Gangs of London) as Morgan and Simon Merrells (Good Omens, Knightfall) as Gundleus, King of rival kingdom Siluria.
Set building and site preparations began at the Estate in August 2022, with filming taking place there between September and December. Bristol Film Office also assisted the production to film in Redcliffe Caves in October 2022.
Laura Aviles, Head of Film, Bristol City Council says: “When The Winter King’s production team contacted Bristol Film Office seeking the ideal place to build Avalon, we were only too pleased to assist them to use Blaise Castle Estate as the location. The Film Office assisted the production to transform a quiet corner of the parkland into a bustling medieval village, a central setting within the series, with minimal disruption.
"Our thanks go to the Council’s Parks and Estates teams and Nature Conservation Officer for providing their input and expertise prior to and during filming. Blaise Castle Estate looks stunning on screen as Avalon and really demonstrates the potential that Bristol’s green spaces offer as filmmaking locations.
"Speaking about filming locations for the series, Julie Gardener (Executive Producer, Bad Wolf) said: “It was always an ambition for Bad Wolf to have the piece film in this part of the world. We’re a Cardiff-based company and always want to work locally and in the surrounding area. We were based out of Bristol for the first season, with great access to the West Country and Wales.
Producer Catrin Lewis Defis added: “I’m excited for people to see the beauty of the Welsh coast and the South West and areas around Bristol. The Quantock Hills. Cheddar Gorge. We’ve found all these wonderfully beautiful locations that haven’t been touched because they’re quite remote and I’m looking forward to people seeing the beauty of where we’ve been.”
Commissioned for ITVX by ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, The Winter King is produced by Sony Pictures Television-owned Bad Wolf. Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders, His Dark Materials) serves as lead director and executive producer, alongside Toby Leslie.
Kate Brooke (Bancroft, A Discovery of Witches) and Ed Whitmore (Silent Witness, Manhunt) adapted Bernard Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles and also act as executive producers.
Episodes 1-5 of The Winter King will stream on ITVX from December 21. Episodes 6-10 will be added on Wednesday December 27.
Scroll through for pictures of The Winter King being filmed in Bristol:
1. The Winter King was partly filmed at Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol
The Winter King was partly filmed at Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol
2. The Winter King was partly filmed at Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol
The Winter King was partly filmed at Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol
3. The Winter King was partly filmed at Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol
The Winter King was partly filmed at Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol
4. The Winter King was partly filmed at Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol
The Winter King was partly filmed at Blaise Castle Estate in Bristol