The Pendragon Cycle Production Diary: Week 13 - Battles, Kingdoms, and Dialect Training

Historical Battles and Northern Tribes

• ⚔️ Week 13 focused on filming the conspiracy battle, depicting barbarians breaching Hadrian's Wall and sacking the country.
• 🎨 The Picts, known for their blue and gray body paint, are highlighted as a real tribe from the far north that the Romans feared.
• 🛡️ Hadrian's Wall is described as one of two Roman walls built to separate the south from the north of Britain.

Aurelius's War Camp and Uniting Britain

• 🏕️ A significant set, Aurelius's War Camp, was a primary filming location, where scenes leading into the final battle were created.
• 👑 The narrative involves King Aurelius attempting to unite the various tribes under one high king, facing conflict and resistance.
• 🎯 The challenge of uniting Britain is presented as significantly harder than simply declaring the intention.

Brutal Combat and New Characters

• 💥 The most brutal hand-to-hand combat of the first season was filmed during week 13.
• 🎭 A new character is introduced, playing a critical role in Arthurian legend, with the actress expressing excitement for her first week on set and the fight scenes.
• ♟️ Fight scenes are described as a chess game, building drama to engage the audience and showcase Aurelius's capability as a leader.

Filming in the Frozen North

• 🏰 The kingdom of Gae, home to King Castinan and Ganetta, was another important story location filmed this week.
• 🥶 The actors describe the filming conditions in the north as the frozen north, experiencing extreme cold and icy, snowy weather.
• 🗣️ Dialect training for a northern British accent is discussed, with an actress noting the difficulty and the progress made, leading to improved confidence and performance.

Character Interactions and Production Challenges

• 🏠 Scenes were shot in a mud hut, representing the living quarters of characters like Merlin and his wife, emphasizing a marriage for love over money.
• 🐕 A producer willingly participated in a scene involving being attacked by a dog, highlighting the dedication of the production team.
• 🎬 The week concluded with a wrap on filming, with a preview of the next episode focusing on battling the elements to finish shooting.