Can you alter a legend? Netflix is willing to explore the answer as they bring to life the popular book “Cursed.” The usual Arthurian tales place the Lady of the Lake in the position of an enchantress, giving her a secondary role to King Arthur and his male counterparts. In this retelling, Nimue takes center stage as she finds herself gifted with a mysterious sword and the potentially dangerous aspects of a quest to find Merlin. Arthur does find his way into the story as a sidekick for this female lead.
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Behind the camera, the series holds an impressive list of talent. Tom Wheeler’s role as showrunner in addition to executive producer ensures the book’s key elements in tone and theme stay firmly in place. Wheeler’s own involvement harkens back to the original book with famed illustrator Frank Miller. Anyone who loves “Sin City” or “300” can thank the revolutionary artist for his leading contributions. In fact, Miller co-directed the ambitious “Sin City” film adaptation with Robert Rodriguez. Its stylistic approach to filming a graphic novel adaptation is still being emulated today.
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Netflix’s Official Synopsis:
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Based on the New York Times bestselling book, Cursed is a re-imagination of the Arthurian legend, told through the eyes of Nimue, a young woman with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful (and tragic) Lady of the Lake. After her mother’s death, she finds an unexpected partner in Arthur, a humble mercenary, in a quest to find Merlin and deliver an ancient sword. 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. “Cursed” is a coming-of-age story whose themes are familiar to our own time: the obliteration of the natural world, religious terror, senseless war, and finding the courage to lead in the face of the impossible.
Katherine Langford, Devon Terrell, Gustaf Skarsgård star in this new take on an old legend. All episodes of Cursed arrive July 17 on Netflix. Watch the first teaser trailer below.