TV Review | The Ambitious Britannia Takes on GOT in a Swords and Sorcery Ratings Battle
It’s 43 AD. In rain-soaked Gaul, a Roman legion of 20,000 men waits to cross the sea to finish what Julius Caesar had failed to do 90 years earlier. Emperor Claudius has ordered General Aulus Plautius to conquer Britannia and its people. His soldiers fear they are travelling to a place of demon armies and giant squids. The brutal killings of three deserters suggest that the might of Rome does not cower before otherworldly threats, even if its soldiers do.
Meanwhile in Britannia, an eagle snatches a dove mid-flight. A man scribbles something on rocks before listening to the trees. It’s clear that he isn’t hearing anything good. Most of the land’s inhabitants are oblivious to the approaching danger. The Druids sit in their imposing camp and interpret the will of the gods. Neighbouring kingdoms skirmish with one another at a wedding. A village prepares for the rituals of solstice.
Welcome to Britannia, a new co-production between Sky and Amazon Prime which recently premiered on Sky Atlantic. Britannia is an eccentric new drama written by Jez Butterworth. The nine part series features a cast led by David Morrissey, Kelly Reilly, Zoe Wanamaker and Mackenzie Crook.
The show has been heavily marketed. It’s not hard to see why. Britannia’s ambitions and Roman setting make it a potential rival to Game of Thrones. With the final series of the dragons and swords epic not expected until 2019, there’s definitely a vacant spot in the schedules for a swords and magic prestige drama.
So, is Britannia any good? While the success of Game of Thrones is a clear influence on the production, Britannia relies on a different type of storytelling. Disorienting camerawork creates strange visions that suggest a fever dream of a land where other forces exert a powerful influence. Characters experience drug-induced visions that enchant and horrify. There is a creeping sense of dread that is often a feature of weird storytelling.
However, weird stories are harder to sustain without a decent narrative and a sense of confidence in its own logic. Unfortunately, the opening episode fails both these tests. At times, it’s difficult to work out what’s going on or even who the characters are. This isn’t necessarily bad but it could put off the casual viewer who may not engage with the stranger elements of the plot. The gorgeous costumes, set design and make up are not enough to make up for the frustrating failure.
The second and third episodes move the story forward more. Queen Antedia (a brilliantly foul-mouthed performance by Zoe Wanamaker) agrees to ally with the Romans to get revenge against Kerra (Kelly Reilly), a princess from the rival kingdom. General Aulus (David Morrissey) seeks to exploit this hatred for Rome’s aims. He promises that nothing will change. Of course, that doesn’t include some issues of taxation. Even the General isn’t what he seems following an encounter with the Druids.
Britannia is not a historically accurate portrayal of life in pre-Roman Britain. It’s a stranger concoction. It remains to be seen if it can sustain its momentum for the rest of its run.
