Britannia: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 6 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 46 Ratings

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5.4

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5.4	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 46 Ratings

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Britannia

Now Playing: Britannia

Season Details & Credits

Epix | Prime Video | AMAZON | Season Premiere Date: January 18, 2018

Summary: Set in in 43AD, Gen Aulus Plautius (David Morrissey) leads the Roman Imperial Army to conquer Britannia only to find not only druids led by a mage named Veran (Mackenzie Crook) but other Celtic tribal leaders like Regni's Queen Antidia (Zoe Wanamaker) and the Cantii's King Pellenor (Ian McDiarmid), who will not bend to Rome's will in thisSet in in 43AD, Gen Aulus Plautius (David Morrissey) leads the Roman Imperial Army to conquer Britannia only to find not only druids led by a mage named Veran (Mackenzie Crook) but other Celtic tribal leaders like Regni's Queen Antidia (Zoe Wanamaker) and the Cantii's King Pellenor (Ian McDiarmid), who will not bend to Rome's will in this historical drama created by Jez Butterworth, Tom Butterworth and James Richardson. It is the first co-production between Sky and Amazon Prime Video.
[Premiered originally in the UK on Sky on 18 Jan 2018. Aired in the US on Prime Video on 26 Jan 2018, and on Epix on 2 Aug 2020]… Expand

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction

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Season 1 Episodes

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S1:E1. Episode 1.1
Air Date: January 26, 2018
tbd
S1:E1. Episode 1.1
Air Date: January 18, 2018

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Jul 31, 2020

Britannia is fast-paced escapism for those who thought Vikings a tad tame. [3 - 16 Aug 2020, p.5]

Mark A. Perigard

Jan 25, 2018

The longer you stick with this nine-episode season, the more the players reveal themselves. It’s a big part of how Britannia,”written and co-created by Jez Butterworth (“Black Mass,” “Edge of Tomorrow”), transcends its genre roots. Read full review

Rob Lowman

Jan 26, 2018

Britannia doesn’t slow down long enough to be as engaging as the HBO show, but ultimately, it has enough going for it that if you like such fare--not everyone is a “GOT” fan--you can get into the Amazon show. Read full review

Melanie McFarland

Jan 26, 2018

The first five of the nine episodes provided for review also have echoes of “Spartacus,” and “Rome” slopped with a sauce of graphic novel-style drama. That’s not the worst a person can say about a series. Read full review

John Anderson

Jan 26, 2018

Violence it has. Also, domestic drama. Dynastic intrigue. A soupçon of the supernatural. Set in A.D. 43, during the second Roman invasion of the British Isles-to-be, the nine-part Britannia also displays what might be an unfortunate side effect of the rise of bingeable drama--the seeming nonchalance with which writers are approaching a storyline. Read full review

Matthew Gilbert

Jan 24, 2018

The modernisms are amusing, and they invite us to take Britannia as a sendup--but then the series doesn’t commit to that approach, as it lapses back into straight-up battle drama. It’s trashy, but, perhaps, not trashy enough. Read full review

User Score

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User Reviews

Prosmooth

Jan 27, 2018

Obviously it doesn't have the production values of Game of Thrones, but I have to be honest. I enjoyed it nearly as much as the first season of GOT, and even more than that show's most recent season. This show also has a sense of humor and dialogue that wouldn't be out of place in a JossObviously it doesn't have the production values of Game of Thrones, but I have to be honest. I enjoyed it nearly as much as the first season of GOT, and even more than that show's most recent season. This show also has a sense of humor and dialogue that wouldn't be out of place in a Joss Whedon show about a certain Vampire Slayer. Great stuff.… Expand

4 of 11 users found this helpful47

kskelton

Feb 27, 2018

This is no fancy schmancy review. This review is simply from a viewer who enjoys good TV and has trouble finding good shows to watch. And I LOVE BRITANNIA!! Such an AMAZING CAST and storyline full of interesting characters! Hard to hate any character and they always keep you guessing. IThis is no fancy schmancy review. This review is simply from a viewer who enjoys good TV and has trouble finding good shows to watch. And I LOVE BRITANNIA!! Such an AMAZING CAST and storyline full of interesting characters! Hard to hate any character and they always keep you guessing. I wish people would stop comparing to GOT because they are a similar genre. IDK but I don't think people constantly compare doctor and lawyer shows (as an example). I enjoy both shows and am thankful for both. Obviously this show doesn't have the budget of GOT but I think it is well done. Opinions are subjective so don't judge solely by reviews, give the show a shot and decide for yourself. One of the main thing that gets me into a show is whether or not I care about and am interested in the characters and on Britannia, I do and am. There's suspense, action, drama, and humor. The scenery is beautiful. What's not to like?? Sincerely hoping for a second season!!!!… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

MightyMisha

Mar 2, 2018

Very focused and sharply written show with an absolutely brilliant cast. The series shows an in-depth look on an ancient people’s intent driven and survivalist way of life. The mystical Druid aspect is my favorite and echoes many writings that i’ve read on occult communication with theVery focused and sharply written show with an absolutely brilliant cast. The series shows an in-depth look on an ancient people’s intent driven and survivalist way of life. The mystical Druid aspect is my favorite and echoes many writings that i’ve read on occult communication with the underworld. It’s incredible how the show relates spiritual prophecy with the inevitability of historical changes to an entire society. The way that death is treated is fascinating in an almost documentarian sense. Pls stop using GOT as a shining example, I’ve always felt like that show has the intellect of a children’s fantasy drama, too graphic for actual children to watch, not even in the same ballpark as far as writing, compared to this show.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

mhg007

Feb 1, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First of all, no way this resembles Game of Thrones on any level. The political aspects are the most interesting. The Druid mumbo jumbo and all of the mystical nonsense is the least interesting. It tends to be incoherent at times which downgraded it from 7 to 6. The first episode is very confusing. It's very difficult to distinguish between the various tribes. It does get easier as the show develops. Another plus is that they aren't afraid to kill off major characters. The major story line of "a chosen one" has been done to death and better many times. It's not clear where they go with season 2. It's just not that compelling or fresh.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

WorldofLucky

Mar 31, 2018

I just finished watching the first season of Britannia and I honestly can’t tell you if I like it or not. I go back and forth and it really isn’t even something I can break up into too many pros and cons. That is because it is all so intermixed that there isn’t a clear winner and loserI just finished watching the first season of Britannia and I honestly can’t tell you if I like it or not. I go back and forth and it really isn’t even something I can break up into too many pros and cons. That is because it is all so intermixed that there isn’t a clear winner and loser portion.

It is about the Roman invasion of Britannia in 43 AD led by Roman Aulus Plautius. David Morrissey who played the Governor on Walking Dead does well enough, it isn’t him, or it really isn’t any of the actors. They all do well. I suspect instead I have an innate issue with how they changed the history of the event.

It is to be expected they would change it, this is a supernatural historical fantasy version of the invasion. The druids are portrayed as supernatural (the leader being 2000 years old) and living in what most would consider squalor. It just didn't work for me.

The second part that really bugged me was the references to Rome. It is historically true that Rome (via Julius Caesar) failed to conquer fully Britannia, they did however install a King who was subservient Rome. It was the first time that Rome had started the system of client Kingdoms when Caesar enthroned Mandubracius as King. Rome then kept diplomatic and trading links with Britannia until they finally came back in 43AD and invaded to take it fully. Whereas the show acts like Caesar left, the Britannia went on about their lives and never heard of Romans again for 90 years.

I think with my penchant to read a lot of history, precludes me to not liking the show overall. It isn’t that its written badly, just it isn’t true and I can’t really recommend the show to others because of that. I watch too many people believing things are factual because they watched a show that is fiction that I can’t go with this show either.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarquisInSpades

Feb 8, 2018

You will watch episode after episode waiting for a good battle. Hint, don't bother. This is not Vikings nor GOT.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

aviterra

Feb 1, 2018

One of the worst shows I've ever seen. None of the characters are in any way sympathetic or interesting. Dialogue is childish. Script is boring and repetitive. Acting is awful. Need I say more?

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

SEE ALL 16 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

70

Series Overview
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: January 16, 2022
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: October 4, 2020
Season 1

67
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 18, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E1. Episode 1.1
  Air Date: January 26, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E1. Episode 1.1
  Air Date: January 18, 2018