King & Conqueror airs this weekend and, as you watch it, you might start to wonder where the show was filmed.
Starring the likes of Happy Valley’s James Norton and Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, it’s not long until the new historical drama will be on our screens.
The BBC has shared a snippet of what viewers can expect: “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 (James Norton) and William of Normandy (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) 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.”
👑 Bank Holiday plans sorted! Historical epic King & Conqueror - starring James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau - is coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One from Sunday 24 August
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) August 13, 2025
And we’ve got some new sneak peek images to share...
More ➡️ https://t.co/f0LEifS3FO pic.twitter.com/nXmmlrF9Wq
Where was King & Conqueror filmed?
According to 4Filming, the new BBC series King & Conqueror was filmed in Iceland.
The country’s natural landscapes feature in the filming plus some sets were also built “to recreate 11th-century England and Normandy.”
It said the main filming locations are the Heiðmörk Nature Reserve and the Reykjavík area.
The nature reserve near the country’s capital Reykjavík was used for some parts, helping “bring the historic battles and countryside scenes to life” with its “wide open land, forests, and lava fields”.
You’ll also spot the capital city in some scenes.
Top 10 best British TV series
4Filming said: “The production used both natural areas and studio-built sets here. Many of the show’s villages, castles, and royal halls were created from scratch using detailed sets to match the time period.”
Custom-built sets include castles and battlefields. They were also used to illustrate “homes of nobles from the 11th century.”
4Filming added: “These sets helped create the feeling of medieval England and Normandy. They were designed with great care to reflect the look and style of that time.”
Talking to the BBC about a memorable moment on set during filming, Norton said: “The weather was always a challenge. It was impossible to predict what the weather was going to do and how to prepare for it – one day you'd need thermal pads underneath your armour, and the next you'd be desperate for a fan and cold patches on your neck.
“I became a part of this community of cold swimmers in Reykjavik. They were hardcore, I became friends with some of them. Wherever you are in Iceland, you're always near a beach, pond, pool or somewhere to swim, so for me it was a dream.”
When was King & Conqueror filmed?
4Filming said: “Filming for King and Conqueror started in March 2024 and finished in July 2024. The team spent several months working in Iceland, using both outdoor locations and indoor sets. The summer months in Iceland helped with shooting large outdoor scenes in natural light.”
Norton was also an executive producer of the series while his co-star Coster-Waldau was an executive producer and directed some of the series.
Recommended reading:
-
All to know on BBC historical drama King & Conqueror starring James Norton
-
Apple TV+ users in the UK (and worldwide) to see subscription fees increase
-
See the Last One Laughing UK season 2 full cast list as revealed by Prime Video
When asked by the BBC why he thinks the story of 1066 is still relevant today, Coster-Waldau said: “It’s the birth of England, of the current English monarchy.
“William the Conqueror is the 26th Great Grandfather to King Charles III. He transformed England and his marks are seen everywhere to this day.”
How to watch King & Conqueror
King & Conqueror will be available to watch on Sunday, August 24.
It will start at 9.10pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Alternatively, you can watch all episodes from 6am on Sunday on iPlayer.
Share