Six years after Game of Thrones ended its reign, audiences are still yearning for the perfect blend of blood, betrayal, and medieval grandeur. While House of the Dragon continues George R.R. Martin’s saga, Netflix has taken a bold step into similar territory, resurrecting the overlooked fantasy drama Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands.
Originally airing on ITV in 2016, this adaptation of the Old English epic reimagines the ancient legend as a gritty, character-driven political thriller. Though it was canceled after one season, Netflix’s global platform is breathing new life into the series, giving it a chance to find the worldwide audience it never had.
As entertainment critic Laura Finch puts it,
“Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands doesn’t just retell an ancient tale — it feels like the lost cousin of Game of Thrones.”
Overview: About ‘Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands’
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands |
| Genre | Historical Fantasy, Adventure, Drama |
| Created By | James Dormer, Tim Haines, Katie Newman |
| Based On | The Old English epic poem Beowulf |
| Director | Jon East, Michael Hunter |
| Cast | Kieran Bew, Joanne Whalley, Ed Speleers, Laura Donnelly |
| Episodes | 13 (One Season) |
| Original Network | ITV (UK, 2016) |
| Now Streaming | Netflix (Global, 2025) |
| Filming Locations | Northumberland, England |
Plot: Monsters, Power, and the Birth of Legends
Set in a brutal and mystical world inspired by early medieval Europe, Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands follows the legendary warrior Beowulf (Kieran Bew) as he returns home after years of exile. He seeks to pay respects to his dying adoptive father, Hrothgar, ruler of Herot, but upon arrival, he discovers Hrothgar is dead under mysterious circumstances.
Soon, Beowulf becomes entangled in a dangerous web of secrets, betrayals, and monstrous attacks. Rheda (Joanne Whalley), Hrothgar’s widow, seizes power and attempts to become the Shieldlands’ first female ruler. Her son, Slean (Ed Speleers), however, covets both her authority and Beowulf’s legacy.
As suspicion spreads that Beowulf may have had a hand in Hrothgar’s death, he must fight to clear his name while confronting beasts that prowl beyond the walls and the darker monsters that dwell in men’s hearts.
The series mixes heroic mythology with political intrigue, showcasing how fragile power becomes when fear, envy, and violence take hold of a kingdom.
Film historian Richard Ennis explained,
“Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands takes the bones of the myth and dresses them in Game of Thrones’ political muscle — it’s a saga of survival more than heroism.”
Main Cast and Performances
Kieran Bew as Beowulf
Kieran Bew delivers a commanding yet vulnerable performance as the famed warrior. His Beowulf is less mythic hero, more flawed soldier driven by duty, haunted by guilt, and constantly at war with both men and monsters.
Bew’s recent appearance as Hugh Hammer in House of the Dragon makes his performance even more intriguing for fantasy fans. His portrayal of Beowulf showcases his physical intensity and deep emotional range.
Joanne Whalley as Rheda
Whalley, known for Willow and Wolf Hall, brings gravitas to her role as a woman carving power from a patriarchal society. Her Rheda is cunning yet compassionate, a character whose ambitions mirror the likes of Game of Thrones’ Cersei Lannister, but with moral complexity.
Ed Speleers as Slean
Speleers (Eragon, Downton Abbey, You) plays Slean with smouldering resentment and ambition. His rivalry with Beowulf provides the show’s most human conflict a blend of envy, grief, and betrayal that often overshadows the fantasy elements.
Laura Donnelly as Elvina
Donnelly (Outlander, The Nevers) plays Elvina, a healer who becomes both Beowulf’s moral compass and romantic interest. Her grounded performance balances the show’s violence with heart and warmth.
Setting and Production: A Gritty Medieval World
Filmed in the rugged landscapes of Northumberland, Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands captures the raw beauty and harshness of early medieval Britain. Sweeping aerial shots of moors and stone fortresses provide a cinematic scale rarely seen in network television.
The visual effects, especially the creature designs, were ambitious for a mid-2010s TV production. While not on Game of Thrones’ level, the practical and digital elements merge effectively to create a believable world filled with mythical beasts.
Production designer Grant Montgomery (known for Peaky Blinders) gives Herot and the Shieldlands a tangible texture smoky taverns, muddy battlefields, and torch-lit halls evoke an atmosphere that feels lived-in and dangerous.
Themes: Power, Legacy, and the Darkness Within
Like Game of Thrones, Beowulf thrives on themes of power, inheritance, and corruption. Beneath the sword fights and monsters, the show explores:
- Ambition vs. Honor: Rheda and Slean’s political maneuvering echo the Machiavellian politics of Westeros.
- Faith vs. Fear: The people of the Shieldlands balance superstition and survival, unsure whether monsters or men pose the greater threat.
- Legacy and Leadership: Beowulf must define his place in a world that no longer values the heroism he represents.
Critical Reception: A Cult Gem Rediscovered
Upon its original release in 2016, Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands received mixed reviews. Critics praised its ambition but felt it struggled to balance mythology and melodrama.
| Source | Critic Score | Audience Score | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | 55% | 67% | “Visually impressive but uneven in tone.” |
| Metacritic | 60/100 | 7.1/10 | “Strong performances elevate predictable writing.” |
| Variety | N/A | N/A | “Not as sharp as Vikings, but boasts undeniable scale and atmosphere.” |
Despite its early cancellation, Beowulf has found a cult following among fantasy fans, especially after Netflix added it to its catalogue in late 2025.
Streaming analyst Renee Walters noted,
“Netflix thrives on second chances — and Beowulf is finally finding its audience in the era of binge-watching and rediscovery.”
How It Compares: Beowulf vs. Other Fantasy Epics?
| Show | Platform | Tone | Similarities to Game of Thrones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands | Netflix | Gritty, character-driven | Political power struggles, dark fantasy world |
| Vikings | History / Netflix | Violent, spiritual | Historical realism, warrior culture |
| The Witcher | Netflix | Mythical, action-heavy | Monsters, magic, moral grayness |
| The Wheel of Time | Amazon Prime | High fantasy | Epic scope, complex mythology |
| House of the Dragon | HBO | Political, dynastic | Succession, ambition, dragons |
While Beowulf doesn’t have the scale of Thrones, it offers similar themes: familial betrayal, lust for power, and mythic violence within a tighter, more grounded narrative.
Why You Should Watch ‘Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands’?
If you’ve been missing Game of Thrones’ brutal realism and political intrigue, this is your next binge. With its mix of medieval warfare, supernatural menace, and Shakespearean drama, Beowulf delivers plenty of grit and glory in just 13 episodes.
Unlike many modern fantasy series, it maintains a human focus, exploring how ambition and grief shape the world as much as swords and sorcery.
TV critic James Holloway summarized it best:
“Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands is not the next Game of Thrones — it’s the bridge between legend and realism that reminds us why we fell in love with fantasy storytelling in the first place.”
Recent Updates
- Netflix Release Date: December 20, 2025
- Streaming Format: All 13 episodes available in HD and 4K
- Fan Reception: Trending in the UK and US Top 10 within two weeks of release
- Rumors: Netflix considering developing a spiritual successor or revival project based on audience metrics
- Availability: Global release, except limited rights in the UK (still streaming via ITVX)
FAQs
Yes. It reinterprets the Old English legend for modern audiences, expanding Beowulf’s world with new political and supernatural subplots.
The series consists of one complete season with 13 episodes.
Absolutely. If you enjoy medieval intrigue, brutal battles, and morally complex heroes, Beowulf fits perfectly.
ITV cancelled the show after Season 1, but Netflix’s renewed interest could inspire future revival talks.
Primarily in Northumberland, England, featuring authentic castles and natural landscapes.
