THE FANTASTICAL CURSED
Katherine Langford In A Twist On King Arthur
It’s always refreshing when lore gets reimagined with modern upgrades — and Netflix has adapted one of the best. Cursed, based on the book by Thomas Wheeler, flips the narrative on a classic Arthurian legend and puts 13 Reasons Why star Katherine Langford in the role of Nimue.
One line, in particular, sticks out in the fantasy series’ trailer: “The legend says this sword belongs to the one true king. But what if the sword chooses a queen?”
So, instead of the famous Excalibur choosing Arthur, it picks Nimue. The two set out on a journey to find Merlin and take down Arthur’s father, who has unleashed carnage on his villagers.
In the traditional Arthurian texts, Nimue was thought to be the Lady of the Lake, who provides Arthur with the sword, enchants Merlin and raises Lancelot when his father dies. If the series ends with the Excalibur in Nimue’s possession, it will change the whole dynamic — for the good — of the legend from here on out. It’s a refreshingly feminist take on an old tale where Katherine Langford looks fierce and destined to wield the sword.
Gustaf Skarsgard (Vikings, Westworld) takes on the sorcerer Merlin, while newcomer Devon Terrell plays Arthur. With a slew of young talent in the cast, Cursed will introduce a new audience to its tale. We hope you tune in, PROVOKRs.
