Introduction

Britannia is a historical fantasy drama television show.

It was created by Jez Butterworth and Tom Butterworth and was the first co-production between Sky and Amazon Prime Video.

Outline

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

• Romans:
  • David Morrissey as Aulus Plautius.
  • Fortunato Cerlino as Vespasian (Series 1).
  • Hugo Speer as Lucius (Series 1-3).
  • Daniel Caltagirone as Brutus (Series 1 and 3, guest Series 2).
  • Aaron Pierre as Antonius (Series 1).
  • Zaqi Ismail as Philo (Series 1 and 3, guest Series 2).
  • Gershwyn Eustache Jnr as Vitus (Series 1-3).
  • René Zagger as Decimus (Series 1).
  • Gerard Monaco as Roman Deserter 2 (Series 1).
  • Steve Pemberton as Emperor Claudius (Series 2).
  • Sophie Okonedo as Hemple, wife of Aulus Plautius (Series 3).

• Cantii:
  • Kelly Reilly as Kerra (Series 1).
  • Ian McDiarmid as King Pellenor (Series 1).
  • Julian Rhind-Tutt as Phelan.
  • Annabel Scholey as Amena.
  • Samantha Colley as Andra (Series 2).
  • Barry Ward as Sawyer (Series 1, guest Series 2 and 3).
  • Callie Cooke as Islene (Series 1, guest Series 3).
  • Eleanor Worthington Cox as Cait.

• Regni:
  • Zoë Wanamaker as Queen Antedia (Series 1 and 3, guest Series 2).
  • Joe Armstrong as Gildas (Series 1).
  • Liana Cornell as Ania.
  • 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.
  • Abigail Rice as Elder 1.
  • Peter Hosking as Elder 2 (Recurring).
  • Bluey Robinson as Rayne (Series 3).

• Other:
  • Nikolaj Lie Kaas as Divis / The Outcast.
  • Stanley Weber as Lindon of the Gauls (Series 1).
  • Gary Oliver as Jhehutamisu (Guest).
  • Tolga Safer as Aziz (Guest).
  • Laura Donnelly as Hella (Series 1-2, guest Series 3).
  • Liran Nathan as Crucified Man (Guest).

Production

The first series was produced by Rick McCallum, Vertigo Films and Neal Street Productions and shot on location in Czech Republic and Wales. 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, 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. Amazon was not involved in production and did not stream the second season.

The show was renewed for a third series in January 2020. In June 2020, US premium network Epix announced it would partner with Sky to produce the third series. It would also air the first series beginning 02 August 2020, and the second series beginning 04 October 2020. Filming of the third series was shut down in March 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and resumed in September 2020.

Season 2 began streaming on Amazon Prime in June 2021.

Release

First released on 16 October 2017 at MIPCOM, Cannes (France), with general release on 18 January 2018 (UK).

MIPCOM is an annual trade show held in the French town of Cannes, traditionally in the month of October and running for 4 days. It is owned and organised by Reed MIDEM, a subsidiary of Reed Exhibitions.

Trivia

• 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. The first series aired on Epix beginning 02 August 2020.
• Vespasian led one of the four legions that invaded Britain.
  • He went on to become Emperor of Rome.
  • In this series, they kill him off.
• Throughout the series the Romans use stirrups.
  • Stirrups came into use in Europe around the 6th century.
  • Roman cavalry went without.
• Runes are featured heavily in the show and the opening credits.
  • Runes did not appear until the second century AD, in Scandinavia.
  • They did not appear in the British isles until the Saxons and Frisians brought them in the fifth century.

Britannia Series

• Series 01 (2018):
  • Episode 01: Woe to the Vanquished.
  • Episode 02: Secret Alliances.
  • Episode 03: Honour and Betrayals.
  • Episode 04: Judgement of the Gods.
  • Episode 05: Tractations.
  • Episode 06: The Chosen One.
  • Episode 07: Alone in the World.
  • Episode 08: Initiation.
  • Episode 09: Pax Romana.

• Series 02 (2019-2020):
  • Episode 01: Imperial Visit.
  • Episode 02: May the Gods Speak.
  • Episode 03: Genesis.
  • Episode 04: Dark Game.
  • Episode 05: My Sister, My Queen.
  • Episode 06: The Eagle’s Arms.
  • Episode 07: Alliance of Dark Forces.
  • Episode 08: A Painful Truth.
  • Episode 09: The Crossroads.
  • Episode 10: The Challenge.

• Series 03 (2021):
  • Episode 01: The Return of the Chosen One.
  • Episode 02: The Moon Tree.
  • Episode 03: War Chest.
  • Episode 04: The Big Vision.
  • Episode 05: Hemple’s Machinations.
  • Episode 06: A Precious Asset.
  • Episode 07: The Viaduct.
  • Episode 08: Vae Victis.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Luke Watson … (5 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Rob Savage … (3 episodes, 2019).
  • Joasia Goldyn … (3 episodes, 2021).
  • Ben Gregor … (3 episodes, 2021).
  • Sheree Folkson … (2 episodes, 2018).
  • Christoph Schrewe … (2 episodes, 2018).
  • Lisa James Larsson … (2 episodes, 2019).
  • Mackenzie Crook … (2 episodes, 2021).
  • Metin Hüseyin … (1 episode, 2017).
  • Susan Tully … (1 episode, 2018).
  • Thea Sharrock … (1 episode, 2021).
• Producer(s):
  • Jez Butterworth … executive producer / executive producer (27 episodes, 2017-2021).
  • James Richardson … executive producer (27 episodes, 2017-2021).
  • Tom Butterworth … executive producer (26 episodes, 2018-2021).
  • Pippa Harris … executive producer (20 episodes, 2017-2021).
  • Sam Mendes … executive producer (19 episodes, 2017-2019).
  • Cameron Roach … executive producer / executive producer: Sky (19 episodes, 2017-2019).
  • Nicholas Brown … executive producer (18 episodes, 2018-2019).
  • Rupert Ryle-Hodges … producer (15 episodes, 2019-2021).
  • Joel Stokes … line producer (12 episodes, 2019-2021).
  • Michael Reuter … post production producer TPR (10 episodes, 2019).
  • David Dewar … post production producer (9 episodes, 2017-2018).
  • Veronika Lencova … line producer (9 episodes, 2017-2018).
  • Rick McCallum … producer / producer (9 episodes, 2017-2018).
  • Allan Niblo … executive producer / executive producer: Vertigo Films (9 episodes, 2017-2018).
  • Ian Hogan … line producer (6 episodes, 2019).
  • Matt Carver … producer (4 episodes, 2021).
  • Nicolas Brown … executive producer (2 episodes, 2017-2021).
  • Terry Cafolla … executive producer (1 episode, 2017).
  • Anne Mensah … executive producer: Sky (1 episode, 2017).
  • Anne Thomopoulos … executive producer (1 episode, 2017).
• Writer(s):
  • Jez Butterworth … (creator and writer).
  • Tom Butterworth … (creator and writer).
  • James Richardson … (created by).
  • Terry Cafolla … (co-created by).
  • Mackenzie Crook … (writer).
  • Richard McBrien … (unknown episodes).
• Music:
  • Neil Davidge … (9 episodes, 2017-2018).
• Cinematography:
  • Balazs Bolygo … (4 episodes, 2018).
  • Si Bell … (3 episodes, 2019).
  • Ollie Downey … (3 episodes, 2019).
  • Ed Moore … (3 episodes, 2021).
  • Michael Snyman … (2 episodes, 2017-2018).
  • Sam McCurdy … (2 episodes, 2018).
  • Sam Heasman … (2 episodes, 2019).
  • Frida Wendel … (2 episodes, 2019).
  • Mattias Nyberg … (2 episodes, 2021).
  • Aaron Reid … (2 episodes, 2021).
  • Jean-Philippe Gossart … (1 episode, 2018).
  • Adam Etherington … (1 episode, 2021).
• Editor(s):
  • Brenna Rangott … (5 episodes, 2019).
  • Celia Haining … (3 episodes, 2019).
  • Alex Kalmakrian … (3 episodes, 2021).
  • Josh Mallalieu … (3 episodes, 2021).
  • Simon Brasse … (2 episodes, 2018).
  • Sam Williams … (2 episodes, 2018).
  • Ben Drury … (2 episodes, 2019).
  • Carmela Iandoli … (2 episodes, 2021).
  • Philip Hookway … (1 episode, 2017).
  • John Richards … (1 episode, 2017).
  • Mike Clark-Hall … (1 episode, 2021).
• Production:
  • Amazon Studios (season 1).
  • Neal Street Productions.
  • Sky.
  • Vertigo Films.
• Distributor(s):
  • Amazon Studios (2017) (USA) (video).
  • Epix (I) (2020) (USA) (TV).
  • SFR Play (2018) (France) (video) (VOD).
  • Sky (2017) (UK) (video).
  • Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2018) (Germany) (Blu-ray).
  • Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2018) (Germany) (DVD).
• Release Date:
  • Series 01: 18 January 2018 to 15 March 2018.
  • Series 02: 07 November 2019 to 09 January 2020.
  • Series 03: 24 August 2021 to 12 October 2021.
• Rating: 15.
• Running Time: 60 minutes (per episode).
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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