Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands

At the beginning of the year, we got a new fantasy series on the television, so of course I jumped in to watch it.

Unfortunatly, after an episode or 2 my intrest started waning and it was something I kept watching, but not with great anticipation

Plot

Based on the poem Beowulf, the series details the return of our titular hero to the kingdom he grew up in as an orphan to honour it`s fallen king.
However, he was exiled years ago, and slowly needs to regain the trust of the people to be accepted to honour his mentor, and while solving a murder he gently and slowly works his way in their good graces again.

The selection for a new ruler causes the kingdom to become divided though, and Beowulf sets out to uncover the mystery and re-unite the tribes.
While he tries to protect a tribe, machinations have been set in motion as Rheda, the late wife of the fallen king, faces off against her brother Abrecan over control of the kingdom...

Opinion

The series has good special effects, some fantastic scenery and a strong lead actor.  But unfortunatly, the story often falls short, some roles aren`t well preformed (Slean for example), and in general it is not really all that good.  It reminds in ways of the old Xena or Hercules series, a formula that worked in the 90s, but with high rollers like Game of Thrones or the various other drama series out there at the moment, it is severly lacking and underweight.

I can`t say I was wild about the 12 episode series, and I doubt a second series will be made to be honest, though you never know of course...

Rating: 3 / 10