Britannia (TV series)

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For other uses, see Britannia (disambiguation).
Britannia
Series title over Celtic symbol and eye
Genre <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Created by <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Starring <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Opening theme <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Composer(s) Neil Davidge
Country of origin <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Original language(s) English
No. of series 3
No. of episodes 27 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Producer(s) Rick McCallum[1]
Production location(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
  • Czech Republic
  • UK (Wales)
Running time 40 - 73 minutes
Production company(s) <templatestyles src="Plainlist/styles.css"/>
Distributor NBCUniversal Global Distribution[2]
Sky Vision[3] (previously)
Release
Original network UK and Ireland:

US:
Original release 18 January 2018 (2018-01-18) –
present
External links
[{{#property:P856}} Website]

Britannia is a historical fantasy drama[4] television show. It was created by Jez Butterworth and Tom Butterworth.[5] The show was the first co-production between Sky and Amazon Prime Video and stars Kelly Reilly, David Morrissey, Zoë Wanamaker, Mackenzie Crook, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, and Eleanor Worthington Cox.[6] It first aired on Sky Atlantic in the UK beginning 18 January 2018 and on Amazon Prime Video in the US beginning 26 January 2018.[3] The first series aired on Epix beginning 2 August 2020.[7] Pop songs were used as theme music for the three series to date: Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (series 1), his "Season of the Witch" (series 2) and "Children of the Revolution" by T-Rex (series 3).

DailyHistory.org says, "[t]he series has a feel of a mixed fictional, fantasy epic that incorporates a historical set of events."[8]

Synopsis

Britannia is set in 43 AD, when the Romans invaded Britain. Julius Caesar had failed to conquer Britain 90 years previously.

General Aulus Plautius and his second-in-command, Lucius, (identified as the centurion who stabbed Jesus) are determined to succeed where Julius Caesar failed, by any means necessary. An experienced warrior, Aulus establishes a fortified camp, gathers information from captives, even children, and learns that the Druids are the driving force behind the many tribes he faces. He determines that "you don't conquer the people, you must conquer their gods." He meets the Druids and undertakes a vision quest. Soon, he is talking aloud to Lokka (Loki), the Celtic god of mischief.

Young Cait of the Cantii tribe is about to take part in a ceremony to mark her becoming an adult woman when the Romans attack and largely destroy her tribe. She is forced to flee and wanders the forest, where she encounters and attaches herself to an unlikely protector, Divis "The Outcast".

Divis is a Druid with some mystical powers—divination, hypnosis, visions—but seems mad and has been driven into exile by Veran, leader of the Druids in Britannia. Divis roams the countryside seeking clues to the meaning of his apocalyptic visions, and believes he is on some kind of mysterious "mission".

Kerra, a princess as daughter of the Cantii King Pellenor, frets for her people's safety. The Cantii are in a perpetual feud with the Regni, a powerful and large tribe. The Cantii's only protection is an impregnable natural fortress formed from granite, yet King Pellenor makes no preparations to resist the Romans, other than relying on vague hints from the Druids to set policy. Kerra's brother, Phelan, appears weak and might well be a bad ruler, if given the opportunity. Kerra ambitiously takes her own steps to address the Roman threat, calling for a parley and venturing into Regni territory. Her actions enrage her father, who sends her to be judged by the Druids, and possibly flayed alive, as happened to her mother.

In the maelstrom of confusion and fear caused by the invasion, Romans and Britons ally with, and betray, each other as the Romans consolidate their position and disaster looms.

Cast and characters

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Romans

Cantii

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See also: Cantiaci

Regni

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See also: Regni

Druids

  • Mackenzie Crook as Veran and Harka
  • Gianni Calchetti as Rork Druid and Moss Face
  • Jodie McNee as Willa
  • Jack Roth as Ossian (Series 1)
  • David Bradley as Quane[10]
  • Abigail Rice as Elder 1
  • Peter Hosking as Elder 2 (Recurring)
  • Bluey Robinson as Rayne (Series 3)

Other

Episodes

Series overview

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 9 18 January 2018 (2018-01-18) 15 March 2018 (2018-03-15)
2 10 7 November 2019 (2019-11-07) 2 January 2020 (2020-01-02)
3 8 24 August 2021 (2021-08-24) 12 October 2021 (2021-10-12)

Series 1 (2018)

Note: Every episode was available in the United Kingdom by download from Sky "catch up" following the first episode satellite broadcast.

No.
overall		 No. in
series		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1 1 "Woe to the Vanquished" Metin Hüseyin Jez Butterworth and Tom Butterworth 18 January 2018 (2018-01-18)
In 43AD, a nation is rocked by the arrival of an Empire.
2 2 "Secret Alliances" Sue Tully Tom Butterworth 25 January 2018 (2018-01-25)
Having marked Rome's arrival with blood, Aulus sends envoys to parley with the tribes of Britannia, while also looking to learn more about the Druids.
3 3 "Honor and Betrayals" Sue Tully Jez Butterworth and Richard McBrien 1 February 2018 (2018-02-01)
Aulus is reborn, but his destiny remains unclear. Cait is able to locate her father, but she can't free him from the Roman camp alone.
4 4 "Judgment of the Gods" Luke Watson Tom Butterworth 8 February 2018 (2018-02-08)
King Pellanor disowns Kerra and leaves her life in the hands of the Druids. But the gods' judgement is not what he expected.
5 5 "Tractations" Luke Watson Jez Butterworth 15 February 2018 (2018-02-15)
The gods have spoken, but Kerra must decide if she will accept their ruling. Antedia seals an alliance with Rome - on one condition.
6 6 "The Chosen One" Sheree Folkson Tom Butterworth 22 February 2018 (2018-02-22)
After their long ordeal, Cait and her father finally arrive at the safety of the Cantii citadel, but a demon is on her trail.
7 7 "Alone in the World" Sheree Folkson Jez Butterworth 1 March 2018 (2018-03-01)
Cait and her father seek shelter in the ruins of their old home, where she is visited by someone she never expected to see again.
8 8 "Initiation" Christoph Schrewe Jez Butterworth 8 March 2018 (2018-03-08)
The battle of wills between Kerra and Antedia intensifies, as the Regni play their trump card. Aulus enlists deadly exiles to find Cait.
9 9 "Pax Romana" Christoph Schrewe Tom Butterworth 15 March 2018 (2018-03-15)
The end appears to be close for the Cantii, as Aulus unveils how the Roman Empire truly conducts business.

Series 2 (2019)

Note: Every episode was available in the United Kingdom by download from Sky "catch up" following the first episode satellite broadcast.

No.
overall		 No. in
series		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date [11][12]
10 1 "Imperial Visit" Luke Watson Tom Butterworth 7 November 2019 (2019-11-07)
Two years after the invasion, a dead man awakens who could spell the end of everything.
11 2 "May the Gods Speak" Luke Watson Jez Butterworth 14 November 2019 (2019-11-14)
The Dead Man sends Hella on a mission. Phelan's new life comes crashing down and Rork's suspicions about Veran lead him into a duel.
12 3 "Genesis" Luke Watson Tom Butterworth 21 November 2019 (2019-11-21)
Veran gives Ania a terrible choice. Harka brings Phelan under his spell and the next stage of Cait and Divis's prophecy begins.
13 4 "Dark Game" Rob Savage Jez Butterworth 28 November 2019 (2019-11-28)
Hella makes Aulus an offer she knows he cannot resist. Phelan fulfils his mission and Cait and Divis' dreams spell new danger.
14 5 "My Sister, the Queen" Rob Savage Tom Butterworth 7 November 2019 (2019-11-07)
A dream causes tension between Cait and Divis. Harka sends Love on a heart-breaking mission and Veran commits the ultimate betrayal.
15 6 "The Eagle's Arms" Rob Savage John Henry Butterworth 5 December 2019 (2019-12-05)
Philo and Brutus play a prank, but their timing could not be worse. Harka sends Veran a message.
16 7 "Alliance of Dark Forces" Lisa James Larsson John Henry Butterworth 12 December 2019 (2019-12-12)
Vitus returns with a message for Aulus. Ania is placed in an impossible situation and The Traveller tracks down Lucius.
17 8 "A Painful Truth" Lisa James Larsson Tom Butterworth 19 December 2019 (2019-12-19)
Aulus outrages Domitius with a confession and Andra discovers the truth about her family. Divis tries to use his powers on Love.
18 9 "The Crossroads" Issa López Jez Butterworth 26 December 2019 (2019-12-26)
Divis gets one last chance to prove himself. Meanwhile, Cait's newfound happiness is cut short as Phelan tries to right his wrongs.
19 10 "The Challenge" Issa López Tom Butterworth 2 January 2020 (2020-01-02)
Veran and Harka face each other in a challenge only one of them can survive. Cait is forced to face her destiny.

Series 3 (2021)

Note: Every episode was available in the United Kingdom by download from Sky "catch up" following the first episode satellite broadcast. Episodes 2 through 8 premiered on Sky Atlantic in Germany.

No.
overall		 No. in
series		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date
20 1 "The Return of the chosen one" Ben Gregor Jez Butterworth 24 August 2021 (2021-08-24)
21 2 "The Moon Tree" Ben Gregor Tom Butterworth & Jez Butterworth 26 August 2021 (2021-08-26)
22 3 "War Chest" Ben Gregor Tom Butterworth & Jez Butterworth 5 September 2021 (2021-09-05)
23 4 "The Big Vision" Joasia Goldyn Jez Butterworth 5 September 2021 (2021-09-05)
24 5 "Hemple's Machinations" Joasia Goldyn Tom Butterworth 9 September 2021 (2021-09-09)
25 6 "A precious Asset" Mackenzie Crook Mackenzie Crook 9 September 2021 (2021-09-09)
26 7 "The Viaduct" Joasia Goldyn Tom Butterworth 16 September 2021 (2021-09-16)
27 8 "Vae Victis" Mackenzie Crook Tom Butterworth & Jez Butterworth 16 September 2021 (2021-09-16)

Production

The first series was produced by Rick McCallum, Vertigo Films and Neal Street Productions and shot on location in Czech Republic and Wales.[13] Most dialogue in the series is spoken in English, which is used mostly to represent Vulgar Latin spoken by the Romans and Brythonic spoken by the Celts. Latin and Welsh (with English subtitles) are also used to represent both ancient languages, respectively,[citation needed] particularly in rituals and other scenes with formulaic language.

In March 2018, it was announced that Sky Atlantic had renewed the show for a second series.[14] Amazon was not involved in production and did not stream the second season.[15]

The show was renewed for a third series in January 2020.[15] In June 2020, U.S. premium network Epix announced it would partner with Sky to produce the third series. It would also air the first series beginning August 2, 2020, and the second series beginning October 4, 2020.[7] Filming of the third series was shut down in March 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic,[16] and resumed in September 2020.[17][18]

Season 2 began streaming on Amazon Prime in June 2021.[19]

Reception

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Season Critical response
Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
1 76% (37 reviews) 70 (8 reviews)
2 100% (7 reviews) TBD (0 reviews)

The first season received positive reviews. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 76% approval rating, with an average rating of 6.54/10 based on 37 reviews, with site's critics consensus saying "Brilliantly bonkers, Britannia's duplicitous characters and campy fantasy won't be for everyone, but those looking for less-serious swords and sorcery may enjoy its spellbinding madness".[20] On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, it scored 70 out of 100, based on eight reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[21]

References

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  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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