Original language(s) English Network History Language English | Running time 42–45 minutes Genre Historical drama | |
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Starring Tom CullenJulian OvendenJim CarterPadraic DelaneySabrina BartlettBobby Schofield Country of origin United StatesCzech Republic Production company(s) A+E StudiosThe CombineMidnight RadioStillking FilmsPAKT Media Similar Six, The White Princess, Join or Die with Craig Ferguson, Sons of Liberty, Barbarians | ||
Knightfall is an upcoming historical fiction drama television series on History. It recounts the fall, persecution, and burning at the stake of the Knights Templar, as orchestrated by Pope Clement V and Philip IV of France on Friday, October 13, 1307. The series focuses on Templar leader Sir Landry, a brave warrior discouraged by the Templars' failures in the Holy Land who is reinvigorated by news that the Holy Grail has resurfaced.
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Knightfall was picked up for a 10-episode straight-to-series in January 2016, with Jeremy Renner as executive producer and likely guest star.
Knightfall new drama series coming this fall history
Cast
Production
In January 2016, History announced it had picked up Knightfall for a 10-episode straight-to-series, executive produced by and likely guest starring Jeremy Renner. British writer-producer Dominic Minghella will serve as showrunner and executive producer of Knightfall. The series was conceived by Renner's production partner Don Handfield and Los Angeles-based British writer and journalist Richard Rayner, who will serve as executive producers along with Renner. Other executive producers on the series include Jeff Pinkner, André Nemec, Josh Appelbaum, and Scott Rosenberg.
The production started with three days of filming during the last week of June in Dubrovnik on Croatia's southern Adriatic coast, with Douglas Mackinnon (Outlander) as director. Set mainly around the Walls of Dubrovnik's Fort Lovrijenac (St. Lawrence Fortress) and the bay of Pile, these scenes will depict The Siege of Acre. PAKT Media is offering services, and over 140 Croatian film workers will be involved with the production.
Douglas Mackinnon (Outlander) will serve as main director, handling most episodes. Metin Hüseyin (Outlander) and David Petrarca (Game of Thrones) will also direct a block each.Knightfall will shoot primarily in Prague, Czech Republic, with its base at the Barrandov Studios. Several exteriors imitating medieval Paris has been built in surrounding suburbs/villages including Průhonice, and Doksany. Streets in Old Town and Zvíkov Castle will also be utilized. Filming started on July 8. This is the same studio that was used for the TV series Borgia, season 2 of Legends, Casino Royale, and The Bourne Identity. According to Barrandov CEO Petr Tichý, the studio was chosen partially based on the quality of the 15th century interior they had previously built for Borgia. This total cost for the series will be CZK 1.1 billion.
On August 26, 2016, a fire broke out at the backlot of Barrandov Studios, destroying the exterior sets for Knightfall, with estimated damage of 100 million CZK ($4.5 million USD). Only a small part of the set, representing a medieval city, was saved. The following Monday, shooting resume at another location in the city. The fire will have an impact on the production schedule but the production will not be moved to another city and will focus on street locations. David Minkowski, a senior producer at Stillking Films, added "In conjunction with our insurers and Barrandov construction, we are planning to rebuild the destroyed backlot set as soon as possible and complete filming in Czech Republic," he added.
Season 1 wrapped up filming in mid December 2016.
A teaser trailer debuted on February 1, 2017 on History Channel, depicting a bloody Templar helmet with an introduction: "For 200 years, the Knights Templar were the most elite warriors fighting the Crusades in the Holy Land. On Friday the 13th, 1307, the Templars vanished. The Grail will destroy us all." The series will premiere, "Coming this Fall."