Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Talks The BBC’s King And Conqueror

How did you feel when you were reading the King & Conqueror scripts for the first time?

It’s such a compelling story about these two men who at first you think that could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and then it becomes something quite different. I didn’t know anything about this history, and once I started doing my research and reading about it, I was really surprised by how different Europe looked back then and how the influence of the Normans, the Vikings, how great that was at that time. I love history, I find it very interesting.

Can you talk more specifically about the research that you did for the part?

I was just trying to read up, finding books about this specific time. There’s very little written because it’s so, so far back. I have this miniature version of the Bayeux Tapestry, which is quite extraordinary because it’s so detailed about how this thing happened and so much of it is actually in our story.

Where do we find William at the start of the story?

At the very start, he’s in a very good place. He’s had a pretty rough childhood. His father was killed early in his life. By the age of 16 he’d had eight assassination attempts on his life. He is first and foremost a warrior, a man who, from an early age, learned that power is taken not given. But at this point, he’s the Duke of Normandy. He’s secure. He has a very strong bond with King Henry of France. He’s married to the love of his life and she’s pregnant. Life is good.

As an actor, what were the challenges of bringing this historical character to life?

You have to really ground it and remember, which I really believe, people haven’t changed that much. People were the same, they go through the same things we do. When you watch any show, any film, you have to obviously be able to identify with what these characters go through. And even though this is life and death, you still have to make it personal and identifiable.

What is the relationship between William and Matilda like?

William and Matilda’s relationship is a beautiful love story. What was quite unusual was that there are no stories of other children! They seem to have a very strong marriage. They help each other – he’s illiterate, he didn’t read or write, so they’re both on the same page as a strong team. It’s a relationship that is surprising in many ways because it’s so rooted in genuine love and understanding of who the other is. Clémence Poésy has such a piercing intelligence that she brings to the work and she lifted our scenes with her talent.

William’s a warrior, but he’s also a husband and a father, can you tell us about this?

I think he doesn’t want his child to go through what he went through – a childhood where people tried to kill him. When he has his son, the fear of the unknown is overwhelming to him. Once the idea of pursuing the English crown comes into play, it becomes all-consuming. It’s very linked to his son.

It’s about protection and safety, believing that “the more power I have, the safer my family will be.” And also, this is hundreds and hundreds of years before Freud and psychoanalysis and all that came into play. He is given the information that the King Edward of England has appointed him heir to the throne. Then the king dies. He goes to claim what’s his. It’s a very straightforward logic. But I’d rather have people look at the show and go, “oh, why did he do that? He shouldn’t have done that.” Or “I can see why he would do that.”

What was it like directing and being an executive producer on the series?

I’ve had the time of my life being able to jump behind the camera and direct episode 5. I’ve been doing this in front of the camera for 30 years. And then you realise you do pick up some stuff on the way. It’s been very gratifying to work with actors in that way and realise that you can help because you share a language. As a first time director, I was embraced by both the crew and the actors with such encouragement and graciousness.

Why was the balance between action and drama important?

We want that balance in our show. On the surface, it’s a very macho world with men trying to claim what’s theirs and reach their objectives through violence and war. It’s important that you don’t get caught up in that too much. It has to be grounded in a reality, the emotional stakes have to be real. Mike [lead writer] did a great job of finding these moments where you get behind what might be a very one-dimensional portrait of people going to war.

It plays much more in the relationships that are within a family and the various characters. And we know, at the end of this, there might be a battle in some place called Hastings…

Why do you think the story of 1066 is still so relevant and discussed to this day?

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.