James Norton took an all action approach to filming his new period drama King and Conqueror, but unfortunately there were consequences.
Norton, who plays Harold Godwinson in CBS Studios’ 1066 epic, revealed at a recent Q&A that he fell off a horse during rehearsals in Iceland and broke his collarbone.
Norton said the break didn’t affect shooting but it was rather painful. “For the latter half of the shoot and some of those battle scenes, I’m yelping very loudly, and the yelps are pretty authentic,” he was quoted as saying by the Radio Times. “That was a challenge but it really was remarkable how quickly and efficiently the crew took it on and we got through it perfectly, it didn’t affect the shoot at all.”
Norton’s co-star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau added that he had been “so desperately wanting to say” that Norton had broken his collarbone during their press tour.
Norton had a break after filming and appears to now be healed up. He has been very open throughout the filming process, having previously revealed that he initially wanted to play William who (spoiler alert) slays Harold at the great Battle of Hastings, but HBO didn’t want him to because he might have then been invited back for a second season. Coster-Waldau instead took on the role of William.
Also starring Clémence Poésy and Emily Beecham, the drama focuses on the two men destined to clash at the Battle of Hastings, telling the story of the people, dynasties and events that went on to shape history.
We revealed last week that it has sold to Prime Video in the U.S. and HBO Max in a slew of territories. The BBC is airing in the UK and Paramount Global Content Distribution is selling worldwide.
