It’s a tale as old as time. Well, maybe not that old, but the epic saga of Beowulf dates back to the 8th century, which is pretty damn wizened by my estimation. Though you likely remember Beowulf from those intermittent moments of clarity in between naps during fourth period English, the legendary poem is now making its way to the small screen on Esquire Network. Starring Kieran Bew (Da Vinci’s Demons) as Beowulf, the series transforms the classic poem into a sprawling drama that tackles issues of morality, heroism, and, of course, what to do when your land is threatened by a Grendel. Plus, it also stars William Hurt. William Hurt, you guys! The only man to die more frequently on-screen than Sean Bean — and that is really saying something considering how frequently Sean Bean dies. (And if you don’t believe us, here’s the proof.)
But with such a sweeping story of monsters, mead halls, and murder most foul, it can be difficult to keep track of the who’s who, what’s what, and what the hell a Grendel is anyway. Don’t worry — because just like Wiglaf, I’ve got your back! (If you’re lost, you’ll understand that after watching the show.) On today’s episode of The Dan Cave, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about Beowulf. That way, you can kick back, relax, and stop worrying about mixing up your Hrothgars and your Heorots, because frankly it was getting a little embarrassing.
What other literary classics would you like to see adapted for television? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of books about the Avengers and Star Wars. You can follow him on Twitter (@Osteoferocious). He has never slain a Grendel.
