Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands

***Beowulf*** is a British epic fantasy drama television series from ITV, consisting of 13 episodes and created by James Dormer, Tim Haines, and Katie Newman. Dormer wrote the series based on the poem *Beowulf* and executive produced along with Haines and Newman, while Stephen Smallwood produced the series. The series began airing in the United Kingdom on 3 January 2016 and will air in the United States from 23 January 2016.

The story is a re-imagining of themes and characters from the Anglo-Saxon poem *Beowulf*, but with new characters and storylines added.

*Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands* was sponsored by Viking Ocean Cruises.

## Cast

### Main cast

* Kieran Bew as Beowulf
* Lolita Chakrabarti as Lila
* Elliot Cowan as Abrecan
* Laura Donnelly as Elvina
* Gísli Örn Garðarsson as Breca
* Edward Hogg as Varr
* William Hurt as Hrothgar
* Edward Speleers as Slean
* Ellora Torchia as Vishka
* Joanne Whalley as Rheda

### Other cast

* David Ajala as Rate
* Ian Puleston-Davies
* George Kent as Young Slean
* Emmett J. Scanlan as Skellan
* David Harewood
* Jack Smith as Red
* Joe Sims
* Lee Boardman as Hane
* David Bradley
* Ace Bhatti
* Grégory Fitoussi
* Allison McKenzie
* Jack Hollington as Young Beowulf
* Susan Aderin
* Claire-Louise Cordwell
* Kirsty Oswald
* Alex Price
* Jack Rowan
* Itoya Osagiede

## Episodes

1. Episode 1
2. Episode 2
3. Episode 3
4. Episode 4
5. Episode 5
6. Episode 6
7. Episode 7
8. Episode 8
9. Episode 9
10. Episode 10
11. Episode 11
12. Episode 12

## Production

### Casting

On 12 March 2015 Kieran Bew was cast in the series to play the titular role while other cast included William Hurt, Joanne Whalley, Ed Speleers, David Ajala, Ian Puleston-Davies, Ellora Torchia, Gísli Örn Gardarsson, Susan Aderin, Kirsty Oswald, Laura Donnelly, Edward Hogg, Alex Price, Jack Rowan, and Itoya Osagiede. On 17 April 2015 David Harewood was added to the cast. On 19 August 2015 additional casting was announced including Joe Sims, Lee Boardman, David Bradley, Ace Bhatti, and Grégory Fitoussi.

### Filming

Filming began on the series in April 2015 in Weardale, County Durham. The main outdoor set was built on the site of a former cement works south of Eastgate, which is to the west of Stanhope. Filming also took place across Northumberland and in late April, a film crew was spotted on the beach at Bamburgh. Then in June, a set was built in the sand dunes at Druridge Bay, and another on the shoreline of Derwent Reservoir. The main filming studios in the North East were located at the former Dewhirst clothing factory and warehouse, in Blyth, Northumberland.

British actor Kieran Bew (Beowulf) says he had started to put down roots in Los Angeles when he was cast in the role: "It's been incredible to come back home... I got this job and literally ended up working 20 minutes from where I grew up. It's really strange and really lovely to drive to work and see signs like Spennymoor and Darlington."

## Reception

The series has received both positive and negative reviews, garnering approval for the plot, creature mythology, and writing, with one television critic praising the series saying: 'The series is beautifully shot with impressive set design, production values and, to my eye, special effects.' However, while accepting the networks had only broadcast two episodes so far, they did point to the lack of in-depth characterization as a potential show weakness.

## References

1. ↑ http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-commissions-13-part-epic-warrior-drama-beowulf
2. ↑ http://deadline.com/2014/12/itv-orders-epic-beowulf-action-series-strike-back-james-dormer-1201325363/
3. ↑ http://www.ew.com/article/2015/12/18/beowulf-teaser-esquire-network-premiere-date
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://deadline.com/2015/03/kieran-bew-itv-beowulf-james-dormer-angelina-jolie-1201391282/
5. ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/david-harewood-returns-to-british-homeland-for-itvs-beowulf-10184588.html
6. ↑ http://deadline.com/2015/08/itv-beowulf-cast-david-bradley-gregory-fitoussi-1201501414/
7. ↑ http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/visit-set-itvs-mighty-beowulf-9068009
8. ↑ http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/local-news/watch-action-on-northumberland-beach-for-tv-drama-1-7229055
9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq-RgJHetEQ
10. ↑ http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/beowulf/38457/beowulf-return-to-the-shieldlands-episode-1-review

## External links

* http://www.itv.com/hub/beowulf-return-to-the-shieldlands