Omnihanded Entertainmet News | People are mad about historical inaccuracies in new BBC medieval series ‘King & Conqueror’

BBC medieval series King & Conqueror has been criticised by some viewers over historical inaccuracies.

The new show debuted last month on BBC One in the UK, depicting the build-up to the Norman Invasion of England and the Battle of Hastings as Harold Godwinson (James Norton) and William, Duke of Normandy (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) battle for the throne.

However, some have taken to social media over its depiction of historical events, many particularly taking issue with the use of language.

“What is this trend of using modern language and phrases that would never have been heard in the times portrayed,” one wrote on X. “The BBC used to be the best at this kind of drama. Not anymore.”

“Was looking forward to watching King and Conqueror…until the very first words spoken were ‘anytime soon would be good’….. something I have only heard in recent years… don’t expect them to speak the language of 1000 years ago but…writers….really,” another added.

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However, another defended the modernisation, writing: “I get that it’s fun to complain about historical accuracy, but I don’t think that the people complaining about the ‘modernised language’ in the BBC’s King and Conqueror realise that if the language were period accurate that they wouldn’t understand any of it.”

Was looking forward to King And Conqueror but what a disappointment. What is this trend of using modern language and phrases that would never have been heard in the times portrayed. The BBC used to be the best at this kind of drama. Not anymore.#KingAndConqueror

— Christine Woodward (@Christi74222782) August 25, 2025

Was looking forward to watching King and Conqueror…until the very first words spoken were ‘anytime soon would be good’….. something I have only heard in recent years… don’t expect them to speak the language of 1000 years ago but…writers….really!

— elizabeth (@smileyface47168) August 24, 2025

I get that it’s fun to complain about historical accuracy, but I don’t think that the people complaining about the “modernised language” in the BBC’s King and Conqueror realise that if the language were period accurate that they wouldn’t understand any of it.

— artemisscribe (kinda back?) (@noolivesthnx) August 26, 2025

TV review!
You knew it was coming…
Let’s go check out ‘King & Conqueror’, episode 1, just aired tonight.
Yes, I will be annoying, looking at details, caring about historical accuracy, details, etc.
You’ve been warned. pic.twitter.com/RyeVrtz2QP

— Fake History Hunter (@fakehistoryhunt) August 25, 2025

King & Conqueror comes from Michael Robert Johnson, and also stars 1899‘s Emily Beecham as Edith, War and Peace‘s Clémence Poésy as Matilda, MobLand‘s Geoff Bell as Godwin, Back to Black‘s Eddie Marsan as King Edward and Bend It Like Beckham‘s Juliet Stevenson as Lady Emma.

Norton will soon appear in Netflix’s new Steven Knight drama House Of Guinness, which follows the titular brewing family and the impact of its patriarch’s will on his children.

When was the last State of Play?

The last State of Play took place it July and was focused on Ghost of Yotei. This will be the fifth State of Play so far in 2025. Here’s a quick look back at the recent events.

State of Play February 2025 (general) — All the news

State of Play April 2025 (Borderlands 4) — All the news

State of Play June 2025 (general) — All the news

State of Play July 2025 (Ghost of Yotei) — All the news

The newest State of Play for 007 First Light is no surprise, as the existence of a PlayStation broadcast in September leaked some time ago. A Nintendo Direct event could follow on September 11 or 12.

What is 007 First Light?

007 First Light is a new James Bond game from Hitman developer IO Interactive. There have been numerous James Bond video games over the years, of course–including the iconic GoldenEye 007–but 007 First Light is the first to tell an origin story for the world-famous character.

007 First Light has players stepping into the shoes of James Bond when he’s 26 years old and in the Royal Navy, prior to becoming the British superspy everyone knows today. He gets recruited for MI6 and eventually its elite 00 section.

“Bond’s adventures will take players all around the globe, coming face to face with allies and foes (or in some cases, both), while choosing how they overcome obstacles and challenges, whether it be with brute force, cunning guile, or charming wit,” the game’s press release said.

“We’re pouring our energy and passion for the franchise into creating a cinematic adventure that pushes the boundaries of what a James Bond game can be, while telling a fresh, new story,” the developer said.

The third-person action-adventure game will feature other characters like M, Q, and Moneypenny, as well as a brand-new character created for the game, John Greenway, and a mysterious character named Isola. And of course, IO is promising “a whole new cast of villains.”

IO intends for the game to kick off a new trilogy. CEO Hakan Abrak told IGN that First Light won’t be based on any of the existing Bond movies. Instead, the developer is being allowed to create its own version of James Bond for the game.

“What’s exciting about that project is that we actually got to do an original story,” Abrak said. “So it’s not a gamification of a movie. It’s completely beginning and becoming a story, hopefully for a big trilogy out there in the future. And equally important and exciting, it’s a new Bond. It’s a Bond we built from the ground up for gamers. It’s extremely exciting with all the tradition and all the history there is there together to work on this together with the family of creating a young Bond for gamers; a Bond that the gamers can call their own and grow with.”

IO has not confirmed who is playing James Bond in First Light, but fans believe they’ve worked it out, saying they believe Irish actor Patrick Gibson is playing the role. He’s known for his roles in The Tudors, Shadow and Bone, and Tolkien. Most recently, he played a young Dexter Morgan on the Dexter prequel series Original Sin. Indeed, Gibson certainly looks the part. But anything is possible.

First Light is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC.