Collider’s Exclusive Interview with Andrew Gower

Collider did a wonderful interview with Andrew Gower in which he got to talk about Gustaffson and their newest release “Flowers” but also his past and present acting work.

“Flowers” is also first time Gustaffson collaborated with composer Bear McCreary who Andrew met back in 2015 when he played Bonnie Prince Charlie on Outlander.

He’d seen a live version of “Flowers” that we recorded at St. Oswald’s Church, and he said, “Who’s on “Flowers”?” I said, “Well, no one.” I was in Manchester, he was in LA, and he said, “I want “Flowers.” We all celebrated in the studio across the pond.

Frankenstein’s Wedding

Frankenstein’s Wedding was only Andrew’s second acting job – and it also combined music in front of a live audience of 12,000 at Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds (UK).

Frankenstein’s Wedding, it felt magic. […] The beauty of imperfection.

You can still find videos of it on YouTube (you can find all links here).

Being Human

Andrew played vampire solicitor Nick Cutler in BBC Three’s supernatural comedy drama Being Human.

Being Human was really the thing that was a breakout role for you […]. I often cite Nick Cutler as being one of the best characters that came out of that series. It was such a fun series, and a lot of that is to the credit of how you were able to make this character so human and so relatable, and you sympathize with him and want the best for him.

Murdoch Mysteries

In his first “detecting” job, Andrew played none other than the Great Detective himself, Sherlock Holmes, on Canadian hit crime series Murdoch Mysteries. Or did he?

It was my first time in Toronto, Canada, and it was such a joy. […] And again, I went back, which I think means they liked me. [Laughs] It’s such an interesting character to play. I’ve always wanted to play Sherlock Holmes.

(Inspector) Ellis

My character just goes on this amazing journey in [episode 1]. It sets up a really exciting palette for the season. I’ve always wanted to create my own version of a detective. I’ve seen so many of them and l love so many of them, but I think there’s an amazing scope in that sort of drama.

Ellis (or Inspector Ellis as it is called overseas) is available to stream in the UK on My5 and in the USA on Acorn TV.

Please read this really wonderful interview, source of all our quotes in this article, in full:

The Winter King Officially Cancelled

It doesn’t really come as a surprise but now we have confirmation: The Winter King has been officially cancelled after only one season. After the lack of news for months we’ve been suspecting this would happen.

TV Line were the first to report the news:

A former TV queen and current TV king are both ending their short-lived reigns on MGM+. Neither Beacon 23 nor The Winter King will return to the streamer for additional seasons, TVLine has learned.

They’re expressing hope that “either or both series could ostensibly be shopped to other outlets” but even this possibility seems unlikely after most of the main cast seems to have moved on to other projects, including Andrew Gower‘s new role in upcoming crime drama Ellis.

Deadline also has confirmed that The Winter King was axed by British streamer and co-producer ITVX.

The series was based on the Warlord Chronicles by best-selling author Bernard Cornwell (The Last Kingdom) which follows Arthur Pendragon (played by Iain De Caestecker) as he evolves from outcast son to legendary warrior and leader King Arthur.

Reviews for The Winter King were divided with The Guardian labelling it “medieval nonsense” and Forbes calling it a “crushing disappointment” despite a nomination in the Best Drama category at the 2024 Broadcast Digital Awards.

The series also suffered from “review bombing” because of its colourblind casting, especially of main characters such as Merlin (played by Nathaniel Martello-White) and Genuivere (played by Jordan Alexandra).

Despite the occasional flaw, we were hoping to see more of Bernard Cornwell’s book series being adapted on screen and were looking forward to seeing more of Sansum (Andrew Gower), the “Mouse Lord” – as he is nicknamed by the story’s narrator Derfel (played by Stuart Campbell) – and his blossoming love story with Morgan (played by Valene Kane).

The Winter King Episode 1×10

The Winter King – Episode 10

After Arthur (Iain De Caestecker) is forced to cut a deal with the Saxon King Aelle (Craig Parkinson) - and at a much higher price he was initially willing to pay – he is determined more than ever to “kick every Saxon back into the sea from where they came.”

Derfel (Stuart Campbell) is trying to rescue Nimue (Ellie James) from the Island of the Dead. He finds her but they are soon trapped behind a sealed prison wall and attacked by the other inmates. Meanwhile Arthur and his warrior Sagramor (Ken Nwosu) are on their way to the Island as well to save Derfel and Nimue.

Morgan (Valene Kane) is still suspicious of new Bishop Sansum (Andrew Gower), especially when she finds him baptising servants at Caer Cadarn. When he later gifts her a book with stories from the Bible, she seems to become more susceptive to his ideas.

Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) finally reaches the cave he has previously seen in his vision and finds the Horn of Bran – one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain. However, as Merlin touches the Horn, it overflows with blood, which forms into the shape of Britain itself.

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The Winter King Episode 1×09

The Winter King – Episode 9

Morgan (Valene Kane) and Derfel (Stuart Campbell) return to Dumnonia with Bishop Bedwin’s (Steven Elder) body in tow and a surprising warning from Ceinwyn (Emily John). After Arthur’s betrayel her father King Gorfydd (Aneirin Hughes) has betrothed her to a Saxon king, Dumnonia’s worst enemies.

Sansum (Andrew Gower) leads the solemn funeral service for his predecessor. While Bedwin was a gentle man trying to ease Christian ways onto the pagan population of Britain, it is clear that Sansum is much more ambitious and much less patient. While Morgan, an aspiring Druidess herself, is still mourning the loss of her friend, she eyes Sansum with suspicion.

After his return Derfel looks for Nimue (Ellie James) and learns she was exiled to the Island of the Dead by Arthur as a punishment for her suspected involvement in the death of three Christians. Feeling obliged to her, Derfel investigates further and finds out the true cause of death and sets out to rescue her from a place, where no living soul can escape.

Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra) and Arthur fight when he realizes that she has gently steered him from the sidelines. His father’s abuse and banishment have left him with deep trust issues but as leader of Dumnonia, it’s time to start placing his trust in others. He finally hatches out a plan to buy valuable time in the looming war against Powys and the Saxons.

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The Winter King Episode 1×08

The Winter King – Episode 8

While Arthur (Iain De Caestecker) and Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra) are enjoying a moment of married bliss, many in Dumnonia are struggling yet again with one of Arthur’s decision: abandoning his plan to wed Ceinwyn (Emily John) and form a powerful alliance in favour of marrying a woman who – as she herself stated – has no titles or land.

Despite Guinevere’s warnings Morgan (Valene Kane) and Derfel (Stuart Campbell) head to Powys to negotiate peace and forgiveness for Arthur’s actions while Arthur is on his way to Iscar to deal with Cadwys (Billy Postlethwaite) who’s still unhappy about Owain’s demise and tests Arthur’s leadership.

In the meantime, Sansum (Andrew Gower), now a bishop, is facing his own challenges when he starts building a Christian church near Avalon. After Nimue (Ellie James) curses him and his followers, men start to die. On his return to Dumnonia, Arthur suspects the cause for their deaths might be a much wordlier one than Nimue lets to believe.

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The Winter King Episode 1×07

The Winter King – Episode 7

Arthur Pendragon (Iain De Caestecker) is caught between duty and his heart: he is betrothed to Ceinwyn (Emily John) but he is smitten with Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra). His marriarge is supposed to bring peace to the warring countries of Dumnonia and Powys. It doesn’t take Ceinwyn long to see what is going on between her best friend and her fiance. Her feelings are hurt but she offers a practical solution.

Being around Gundleus (Simon Merrells) – the man who killed his mother, assaulted Nimue and left himself for dead – is proving increasingly difficult for Derfel (Stuart Campbell). When Gundleus ambushes the young Saxon, Derfel is able to fight him off with Arthur’s help. Ladwys (Tatjana Nardone) warns her lover Gundleus to attack Derfel again or he will upset the Gods.

Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder) tries to talk sense into Arthur but his feelings for Guinevere are stronger than any concerns. He breaks off his engagement with Ceinwyn, who advises them to leave Caer Dolforwyn in the dead of night. When they find themselves near a lake, the Bishop leaves the party to try and mend affairs with Powys, which leaves Sansum, the Priest (Andrew Gower), to fulfil Arthur’s and Guinevere’s wish.

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The Winter King Episode 1×06

The Winter King – Episode 6

When Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) and Nimue (Ellie James) arrive in Caer Cadarn during the aftermath of Arthur’s (Iain De Caestecker) and Owain’s (Daniel Ings) fatal duel, Merlin takes the chance to declare Arthur the new ruler of Dumnonia. In a private moment, he later explains the origins of the sword, Arthur had found in his mother’s workshop.

Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder), Sansum (Andrew Gower) and Derfel’s (Stuart Campbell) accompany Arthur on his way to Caer Dolforwyn to woe the “Star of Powys” Ceinwyn (Emily John), King Gorfydd’s (Aneirin Hughes) only daughter. The night before they arrive at court, however, Arthur meets a mysterious beautiful lady by a lake, who he is instantly attracted to.

Merlin has a vision of himself and the Horn of Bran, one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain, which are mythical items said to be infused with magic properties. He sets out on a mission to find the Horn because he believes that if all Treasures are united again, the quarreling tribes of Britain will also re-unite.

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The Winter King Episode 1×04

The Winter King – Episode 4

When Arthur’s (Iain De Caestecker) decisions continue to be encountered by incomprehension by many residents of Caer Cadarn, Arthur visits the place where his mother, a swordsmaker and King Uther’s (Eddie Marson) lover, used to lived. While he and his sister Morgan (Valene Kane) reminisce about their cildhood, Arthur comes across an old, rusted sword and decides to bring it back to the castle with him.

Meanwhile, Derfel (Stuart Campbell) joins Owain (Daniel Ings) on a mission to collect the overdue tax from King Cadwys (Billy Postlethwaite). They suspect that Cadwys lies about “bad harvests” in order to avoid paying his taxes, so Owain orders his men to lie in hiding while a messenger announces their immediate arrival. Their plan to uncover the hidden treasures succeeds but when Cadwys offers Owain an alternative deal, things go haywire.

Later, Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) returns to Avalon where he meets a distraught Nimue (Ellie James), who is plagued by nightmares. He encourages her to follow the path the Gods have paved for her even though it means more personal sacrifices for her. Next Merlin visits Arthur and while there is genuine affection and respect between them, it also becomes clear that their vision of the future of Britain and how it is ruled, is vastly at odds.

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The Winter King Episode 1×03

The Winter King – Episode 3

The episode sets in right after the devastating events known as the “Avalon massacre” and just after Arthur (Iain De Caestecker) returns to Dumnonia in the nick of time to save the small group of survivors including his half-brother, the Edling King Mordred. He and his men are welcomed back at Caer Cadarn by Bishop Bedwin (Steven Elder) and the priest Sansum (Andrew Gower).

Arthur’s decision to hold King Gundleus (Simon Merrells) prisoner – instead of executing him for his crimes – is not met with approval by druidess Nimue (Ellie James) and Arthur’s sister Morgan (Valene Kane). Nimue, who was brutally raped by Gundleus, confides in her friend and almost-lover Derfel (Stuart Campbell) and makes him swear a blood oath to bind them together forever.

Arthur remembers Derfel as the boy he once saved from a death pit, and Derfel expresses his desire to become a warrior. He looks up to Arthur and feels loyal to him which puts him at odds with Nimue, who he still loves. Owain (Daniel Ings) also returns to the castle and his wounded men are treated by the women while the dying are helped to cross over to the afterlife by Nimue and Sansum.

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Bernard Cornwell Talks The Winter King

One of the first guests in the upcoming The Winter King Podcast is author Bernard Cornwell.

The Winter King is the first novel in Cornwell’s Warlord Chronicles, first published in the UK in 1995 and now turned into a TV series starring Iain De Caestecker, Jordan Alexandra, Stuart Campbell and Ellie James. The book is based on characters and plot elements from Arthurian myth, but considerably changed and re-worked.

Despite favourable reviews from critics, the TV series faced some backlash online due to its diverse cast and lose adaption of the original source material. Bernard Cornwell has now addressed some of the concerns in the Official The Winter King Podcast (available on all podcast platforms):

I think they did a magnificent job, a quite extraordinary job, so I think you’re in for a treat.

I mean, I think the casting has been superb. The one member of the cast who actually dazzled me was Ellie James playing Nimue, which was almost exactly as I’d in a sense imagined Nimue.

So obviously when you get a character on screen, who’s doing exactly what you put her in to do in the book, you like it. She has a force which is remarkable and she’s a formidable young woman, Nimue, and she has a great role to play in the rest of the series of course.

Not always as a heroine but she’s a very complicated lady, is Nimue, and Ellie James I think caught her superbly, perfectly in fact, and I think the casting has been superb all through and Iain [de Caestecker] makes a wonderful Arthur.

Source: The Winter King Podcast

Arthur (Iain de Caestecker) and his priest Sansum (Andrew Gower)

Selected Reviews

Druidess Nimue (Ellie James) and Priest Sansum (Andrew Gower)