Mar 13, 2009 03:08 PM
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This weekend, NBC is ready to launch its alternate-reality drama about modern day royal families and their struggle for power (including guest stars like Macaulay Culkin). Can Kings rule over our DVRs?
In this modern retelling of the David and Goliath, Ian McShane, who is clearly the main draw for this dramatic show, plays the role of King Silas. His character believes it's his divine right to rule over the land of Gilboa. God's finger singled him out, in the form of a crown of butterflies that appeared on his head as a boy.
Silas lives with his family in the metropolis of Shiloh, which by all means is really New York with a few CG buildings and new touches. For example the Brooklyn Museum is the King's understated office. So just to get this straight, this world is not like the Watchmen world, a version of New York with a few facts changed. This is Gilboa, and it just happens to look a LOT like NYC.
Silas' family includes his young daughter, Michelle, who wants nothing more than to "make right in the world." And his son, Jack, who's taken hostage by Gilboa's enemies within the first five minutes of the show. And then there's the sweet but venomous Queen.
But what about David, and where is his Goliath? David is the aw-shucks farmer who saves the King's son, thus endearing him to the royal family as a love interest for Michelle, as a possible rival to the throne for Jack, and as a pawn for the manipulative Silas.
Check out these clips to see more:
Clip
But more interesting than the family or the alternate universe are the guest spots and the side characters. Dylan Baker and Eamonn Walker are cast as the devil and angel on the King's shoulder (sort of), respectively. Baker encourages Silas to do what's right for his personal business that helped him finance his road to the crown, while Walker urges Silas to do right by God. (Yes, there is a lot of divine right talk in Kings from what I've seen.)
Baker's son is played by the aforementioned Macaulay Culkin, who comes in for four episodes as someone who was banished from court - God willing, he'll come back as the adult Good Son. Other amazing guest appearances include Brian Cox as a down-trodden man who once stood in Silas way.
Overall, I'm going to check it out, because a series as elaborate as this can either be one of two things: amazing, or quickly brushed aside as a total failure. I'm rooting for success.
The two hour Kings premiere is Sunday, March 15 on NBC.
And if you want to spend even more time with the royal and friends, here are a round up of interviews:
David
King Silas
Queen Rose
Prince Jack
Princess Michelle
Send an email to Meredith, the author of this post, at meredith@io9.com.
Original material is licensed under a Creative Commons License permitting non-commercial sharing with attribution.
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