Falling Off a Horse and Biting a Stuntman: James Norton’s Wild Time on 'King and Conqueror' Set
Behind-the-scenes drama adds intensity to BBC historical epic.
King and Conqueror is the BBC’s new historical drama about the 11th-century clash between Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy that ended at the Battle of Hastings. With sweeping battles and political intrigue, it sets out to tell the story of two men whose rivalry changed English history.
James Norton takes on Harold opposite Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, and I think both actors feel perfectly matched for a tale of ambition, betrayal, and brutal power struggles.
When Norton Hit the Ground Hard
What really caught my attention were the on-set mishaps. During a rehearsal Norton fell from a horse and broke his collarbone. At first it looked serious, but filming wasn’t suspended — production reshuffled, he recovered quickly, and he even channelled the real pain into later battle scenes.
How a Fight Scene Turned Legendary
It turns out Norton’s adventures on set didn’t end with the injury. In a later battle sequence, he unexpectedly bit a stuntman’s nose mid-fight.
It wasn’t scripted, but the director liked the intensity and decided to keep it in. The stuntman came back with nothing more than a bandage, and the moment quickly became part of the show’s behind-the-scenes legend.
