*Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Winter King season 1.*
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The first chapter of The Winter King has drawn to a close on ITVX, leaving viewers to wonder whether we'll see more from Iain De Caestecker's Arthur – and the other inhabitants of ancient Britain.
The drama series introduced viewers to a number of complex protagonists, including druidess Nimue (Ellie James) and aspiring warrior Derfel (Stuart Campbell), across a suspenseful 10-episode run.
Their stories were only just getting started, with a wealth more material from Bernard Cornwell's trilogy of novels – known as The Warlord Chronicles – to mine from in potential future instalments.
Here's everything we know so far about the future of The Winter King on ITVX and MGM+.
Will there be The Winter King season 2?
Ken Nwosu and Iain De Caestecker star in The Winter King. ITVX
It has been confirmed that The Winter King will not return for a second season - despite the creative team behind the show having had lofty ambitions for a five-season run.
After poor reviews from both audiences and critics, it was always unlikely that it would be back for more - and so it has proven.
What could happen in a potential The Winter King season 2?
Iain De Caestecker as Arthur, Jordan Alexandra as Guinevere and Emily John as Ceinwyn in The Winter King. Simon Ridgway/ITV
The Winter King season 1 had left plenty of story on the table for future seasons to adapt.
The first 10 episodes ended roughly two-thirds of the way through the first book, leaving us right on the cusp of a major battle between Arthur, his allies and the nefarious forces of Gorfydd and Gundleus.
Speaking on ITVX's official The Winter King podcast, screenwriter Kate Brooke also expressed a desire to include Derfel's experiences at Benoic in a potential second season – which see the introduction of a distinct version of Lancelot.
These events have been shuffled slightly in the chronology of the story, with their placement in the book coming prior to the young warrior's arrival at the Isle of the Dead (seen in season 1).
Who could be in the cast of a potential The Winter King season 2?
Ellie James plays Nimue in The Winter King. Bad Wolf Productions for ITVX
If The Winter King had been renewed for a second season, it was likely that we'd have seen the return of much of the cast – including Iain De Caestecker in the lead role of Arthur Pendragon and Jordan Alexandra as his wife and fellow strategist, Guinevere.
We'd have expected to see him joined by co-stars Stuart Campbell and Ellie James, as Derfel and Nimue respectively, while Nathaniel Martello-White was also a probable candidate to return as the druid Merlin.
Other members of the supporting cast included: Valene Kane as Morgan, Simon Merrells as Gundleus, Ken Nwosu as Sagramor, Andrew Gower as Sansum, Matt Mella as Lanval, Aneirin Hughes as Gorfydd and Emily John as Ceinwyn.
Is there a trailer for The Winter King season 2?
Sadly not - and after the show's cancellation, it looks like there never will be.
In the meantime, if you're hungry for more The Winter King content, check out the official companion podcast wherever you listen.
David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.
George White is a Sub-Editor for Radio Times. He was previously a reporter for the Derby Telegraph and was the editor of LeftLion magazine. As well as receiving an MA in Magazine Journalism, he completed a BA in Politics and International Relations.
