ITV has ordered epic TV drama “Beowulf” from “Strike Back’s” James Dormer. The adaptation will take place over 13 episodes, a cast has yet to be announced.
Filming will begin on the action-packed literary re-imagining — created by Dormer, Tim Haines and Katie Newman — in northeast England in April 2015. An ITV press release announcing the project referred to it as “essentially, a Western set in the Dark Ages.”
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The first episode will see the titular Beowulf who, after spending many years wandering as a mercenary warrior, returning to Herot to pay his respects to the recently deceased Thane, Hrothgar — who raised him, the media release stated. But when Herot is attacked by the terrifying monster Grendl, Beowulf has no choice but to hunt it down, winning favor with Herot’s new female Thane, and the wider community, in the process.
In addition to the three creators serving as executive producers, Stephen Smallwood will produce on location. “Beowulf” has been commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama, Steve November, and Controller of Drama, Victoria Fea.
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“Hundreds of years ago our ancestors listened to the story of Beowulf because it was a great adventure story — it scared them, thrilled them, made them laugh and cry,” Dormer said. “But they also listened because they recognized themselves and their fears in it. By holding a mirror up to them this story helped define them and thus — us. So it’s incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to make it relevant again for a wide audience — to let them own it again. To let them see themselves in it.”