The Winter King

:

Season 1
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12

Critic Reviews

  1. The Observer (UK)
    Reviewed by: Barbara Ellen
    Sep 10, 2024
    60
    It’s middling, lacking the wit and audacity of House of the Dragon or peak Game of Thrones. But a few episodes in, after a stodgy start (setting up its kingdoms, dynasties, feuds), the Arthurian storytelling starts coming through strongly and things liven up. Be warned, though, even for the fantasy genre, it’s jaw droppingly violent.
  2. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Dec 21, 2023
    60
    It plays so fast and loose with it that devoted fans of the original Warlord Chronicles should probably just go and have a lovely re-read of the whole lot instead of tuning in. But for non-purists – settle in, sit back and enjoy 10 hours of bloody warfare, heavy robes, pagan rites, lupine spirits, horrible baddies and worse hair
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Alison Herman
    Aug 21, 2023
    50
    While its more grounded take on King Arthur’s origins could appeal to fans of “Thrones” and dadcore nonfiction tomes alike, “The Winter King” is also missing the complex, nuanced characters who turn dry facts into compelling fiction.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Angie Han
    Aug 15, 2023
    50
    Once the table-setting is out of the way, though, The Winter King is able to slow down enough to find its own groove. .... Yet there’s never enough tension over whether Arthur’s efforts will prove successful.
  6. The Independent
    Reviewed by: Nick Hilton
    Dec 21, 2023
    40
    The result is a serviceable yet underwhelming middlebrow epic, which adds little to an already overcrowded canon.
  7. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Jasper Rees
    Dec 21, 2023
    40
    A bit like modern Britain – though unlike that other Dark Ages epic shot in Northern Ireland – the Winter King feels deflated and underfunded.
  8. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Aug 31, 2023
    40
    Athur is a dutiful wet blanket with a mighty sword. [4 - 24 Sep 2023, p.8]
    All this critic's reviews

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed TV Season of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
1.3

Overwhelming dislike- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 10 out of 12
  1. Poisonedblade
    Aug 24, 2023
    0
    Woke and Unfocused. It loosely follows the story of The Winter King, but it's a mess. Black Merlin tries to help stupid white people, butWoke and Unfocused. It loosely follows the story of The Winter King, but it's a mess. Black Merlin tries to help stupid white people, but they don't listen. If you want to watch something great, check out The Last Kingdom, which is also based on Bernard Cornwell's books.… Full Review »
  2. Kalamir
    Sep 3, 2023
    0
    What attracted me most in Cornwell's books was the realistic approach to the subject. After the end of The Last Kingdom, I was very happy toWhat attracted me most in Cornwell's books was the realistic approach to the subject. After the end of The Last Kingdom, I was very happy to hear that the next adaptation will be The Winter King. Unfortunately, it turned out that very little of the book was transferred to the screen. Unless black Merlin is someone's idea of ​​Celtic druids?
    Either way, this adaptation has very little to do with the books, so there's not much point in wasting time on it.    … Full Review »
  3. abitamal
    Aug 28, 2023
    1
    The number of black actors is irritating and distracting. IDGAF what anyone says, if half the slaves in 12 Years a Slave were blonde it wouldThe number of black actors is irritating and distracting. IDGAF what anyone says, if half the slaves in 12 Years a Slave were blonde it would ruin the movie. It’s weird that at least half of the most powerful men in the show are of sub Saharan African descent.… Full Review »
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