Summary
- King Arthur adaptations have been plentiful and varied, with actors like Clive Owen, Michael York, and Sean Connery leaving their mark on the character.
- Some adaptations have taken a more serious approach to the Arthur legend, like "Camelot," while others, like "A Knight in Camelot," went for a more comedic and lighthearted tone.
- The recent Netflix show "Cursed" offers a fresh perspective on the myth, with Devon Terrell bringing charisma to his portrayal of Arthur, while Iain De Caestecker's Arthur in "The Winter King" is portrayed as a commanding figure in a divided Britain.
The legend of King Arthur has been recounted and reinvented countless times for movies and TV shows, with many actors bringing their own unique take on the mythic character. A quick scan of adaptations of the Arthur story reveals a near-bottomless well of films, shows, novels, comics and more. These have ranged from some straightforward retellings to odder takes, such as Transformers: The Last Knight, where King Arthur and Merlin are revealed to have been friends with some Transformers.
The iconography of King Arthur - from his sword Excalibur to the Knights of the Round Table to the Lady of the Lake - is ever present in popular culture. This might explain why there always seems to be a new film or TV show based on the myth in the works, though strangely, there has yet to be a major blockbuster franchise based on the saga. That might change in future, but in the meantime, plenty of actors have left their mark on King Arthur.
12 Clive Owen - King Arthur (2004)
King Arthur from 2004 was one of the first Hollywood blockbusters that tried to turn the legend into a franchise. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and featuring a cast that includes Keira Knightley, Mads Mikkelsen and Clive Owen as Arthur, it should, on the surface, rock. Sadly the film's labored script, de-fanged PG-13 rating and Owen's surprisingly dull performance make it a dud. The film offers the "true story" about Arthur, recasting Arthur as a half-Roman knight who is inspired to fight the Saxons on behalf of his adopted home. The grounded take is an interesting direction, but 2023's The Winter King does it better.
11 Michael York - A Knight in Camelot (1998)
One of the oddest entries on a list filled with odd entries is A Knight in Camelot. This cast Whoopi Goldberg as a scientist who is accidentally sent back in time, where she ends up in King Arthur's court. She is soon dubbed "Sir Boss" by the king, and those expecting any kind of serious take on the legend are in for a big disappointment. Michael York brings some class to this long-forgotten Disney TV movie, but coming off of Austin Powers the previous year, there's an element of hammy parody to his Arthur performance that grates.
10 Jamie Campbell Bower - Camelot (2011)
Jamie Campbell Bower is now best known as Stranger Things' Vecna, but his first big breakout was as Arthur in Camelot. This Starz series is one of the most entertaining contemporary takes, with Eva Green playing Arthur's scheming half-sister Morgan and Joseph Fiennes as Merlin. The series follows a young Arthur as he's suddenly thrust into a leadership role following his father's death, though Bower's performance is a little lacking in authority and conviction, especially compared to his higher-powered co-stars.
9 Charlie Hunnam - King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)
Guy Ritchie's Legend of the Sword was an effort to turn the King Arthur story into a cinematic universe, but mixed reviews and terrible box office saw it crash after one movie. In the film's defense, Ritchie offers up a visually compelling and energetic remixing of Arthurian lore. Hunnam's "Jack the Lad' take on the title character is intriguing, and one of the more distinctive takes in recent memory. The film charts Arthur's journey from streetwise criminal to reluctant leader, which makes for a satisfying arc too. It's a shame Hunnam didn't get a chance to grow into the role, however.
8 Joss Ackland - A Kid in King Arthur's Court (1995)
A Kid in King Arthur's Court is (very) loosely based on Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, and is best known these days for giving Kate Winslet and Daniel Craig some of their earliest movie roles. There's not much to recommend A Kid in King Arthur's Court, but veteran character actor Joss Ackland (Lethal Weapon 2) still brings a sense of dignity to proceedings with his take on the king. This Arthur is aging and has lost touch with the people, and it's unusual to see a version of the story that portrays such a vulnerable version of the character.
7 Devon Terrell - Cursed (2020)
Cursed is a near top-to-bottom reinvention of the King Arthur tale, which made the "Lady of the Lake" Nimue (Katherine Langford) the main character. In the Netflix show, Arthur (Devon Terrell) is a mercenary who goes on something of a road trip with Nimue, with the two forming a romantic connection along the way. While Cursed isn't totally successful with all its big swings, Terrell is undoubtedly charismatic in the Arthur role, and having the character play something of a secondary role offers a new perspective on the myth.
6 Iain De Caestecker - The Winter King (2023)
The Winter King adapts the well-regarded Warlord Chronicles novel trilogy by Bernard Cornwell, which attempted to ground the Arthur myth in some historical fact. Iain De Caestecker's Arthur is the banished son of King Uther (Eddie Marsan) who returns to find a divided Britain set to be conquered by the invading Saxons, and he must work to unite the various kingdoms under a common goal.
The show skipped over some of Arthur's character development in its eight-year time jump, but De Caestecker is nonetheless a commanding presence in the role. Should the show go beyond one season, the star will have some great material to play too.
5 Bradley James - Merlin
Merlin is one of the best adaptations of the King Arthur legend in recent memory, and while Arthur (Bradley James) is a major character, it's mostly told from the perspective of Colin Morgan's Merlin. It's a series about friendship ultimately, and charts Merlin's influence on Arthur as he tries to guide him to become the king he's prophesied to be. James brings a youthful, modern energy to the role that makes Arthur very likable, though the fact he never realizes the extent to which Merlin - who must hide his abilities - is helping him out makes him feel a tad dim.
4 Graham Chapman - Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Not only was Monty Python and the Holy Grail one of Elvis' favorite movies, it's one of the funniest British comedies of the '70s. As is to be expected from Monty Python, the film is a very tongue-in-cheek retelling of Arthur's (Graham Chapman) and his knights' quest for the Holy Grail. Chapman is a lot of fun as the king, who is mostly a straight man to the wackiness surrounding him, and it's one of the less dignified (and faithful) takes on Arthur as a character.
3 Sean Connery - First Knight (1995)
First Knight is a curious case of being one of the less interesting movie versions of the legend but still featuring one of the most compelling performances in Sean Connery's Arthur. The veteran star carries this somewhat limp fusion of medieval action and romantic drama on his shoulders, which dispels almost entirely of any magical elements.
Connery plays the older Arthur with a mix of gravitas and vulnerability and even makes for a credible romantic lead. Sadly, a miscast Richard Gere (playing Lancelot) somewhat drags the enterprise down.