Synopsis: Armed with mysterious powers and a legendary sword, young rebel Nimue joins forces with charming mercenary Arthur on a mission to save her people. Over the course of her journey, Nimue will become a symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying Red Paladins, and their complicit King Uther.
Format: 10 episodes, streaming on Netflix, from Friday, July 17th.
Cast: Katherine Langford, Devon Terrell, Gustaf Skarsgård, Daniel Sharman, Sebastian Armesto, Matt Stokoe, Lily Newmark, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Emily Coates, Billy Jenkins, Bella Dayne, Peter Mullan, Polly Walker
Directors: Zetna Fuentes (1–2), Daniel Nettheim (3–5), Jon East (6–8), Sarah Gorman (9–10)
Writers: Tom Wheeler (1–2, 9–10, Based on the Book by), Frank Miller (Based on the Book by), Janet Lin (3), Rachel Shukert (4), Leila Gerstein (5), William Wheeler (6–7), Robbie Thompson (8)
The Arthurian Legend has been a constant inspiration for movies and TV with recent adaptations like King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, The Kid Who Would Be King and the upcoming The Green Knight. The basic story of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table should be known to most, a story that Cursed retells with a fantasy twist and a more YA audience in mind.
In this re-imagination of the Arthurian legend, the story follows Nimue (Katherine Langford), a young woman with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful Lady of the Lake. An outcast in her village due to her uncontrollable magical abilities, she soon finds herself on a quest to deliver the fabled sword of power to the magician Merlin (Gustaf Skarsgård) after her village is attacked by the Red Paladins, a group of religious zealots bent on ridding the world of Fae. Nimue soon encounters a young mercenary named Arthur (Devon Terrell) and finds herself at the centre of a many-sided conflict for possession of the sword.
The lore and world of Cursed are deep, with many factions at odds. The Red Paladins are led by Father Carden (Peter Mullan) and his tracker/assassin, the Weeping Monk, while King Uther Pendragon (Sebastian Armesto) is puppeteered by his mother Lady Lunette (Polly Walker). Lord Cumber (Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson), a Viking Lord, also proclaims himself heir to the throne. All seek the sword of power to strengthen their claims. At times, the show feels like a lite or CW version of Game of Thrones with many plots and betrayals.
Katherine Langford delivers a strong performance as Nimue, torn between using and resisting the sword’s corruption. Devon Terrell is charismatic and has great chemistry with Langford. Merlin is a standout — stripped of magic and relying only on wit, he manipulates others in pursuit of his own agenda, not always successfully.
Emily Coates shines as Sister Iris, unsettling despite limited screen time. Daniel Sharman’s Weeping Monk is a slow burn but rewarding, while Matt Stokoe as Gawain, Lily Newmark as Pym, Shalom Brune-Franklin as Igraine, and Billy Jenkins as Squirrel all contribute noteworthy performances.
The CGI is rough, particularly in early episodes, with wolves and rain effects breaking immersion. Blood splatter often feels over the top. Some magic effects are charming — one even recalls Mortal Kombat. The excellent practical and makeup work on the Fae makes the weak CGI stand out more. Action sequences are serviceable but rarely memorable, though Nimue’s lake battle and fights with the Weeping Monk are highlights.
The show overuses “secret identity” reveals of Arthurian figures, which dilutes their impact. Cursed is an interesting YA-focused take on the legend, with clear Game of Thrones influences. If you can look past uneven VFX and middling action, there’s a lot to like, and the groundwork for a compelling second season is here.
