The Bastard Executioner, the first pilot for Imagine TV with FX Network, stemmed from an idea by Grazer: "I find the executioner to be an incredibly fascinating and provocative character", he said. "He deals with the highest order and the lowest order in the culture. It's about as morally complex a profession as you can imagine". Grazer pitched the idea to 20th Television chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman. The two, along with Fox21 president Bert Salke, suggested Sutter as writer. After meeting with Grazer and taking some time to contemplate the idea, Sutter built a whole world around it, and the pitch was taken to FX.[17]
It all sounds very puzzling -- though it's probably one of those things where it makes more sense if you watch the whole thing and buy into the premise. I also assume the executioner is a bastard himself and not a roving headsman ridding people of their inconvenient offspring, as interesting as the latter premise could be :). Edward II's English was pretty good, though, wasn't it? At least, it's hard to imagine how he managed all that hobnobbing with commoners and thatching their roofs if he couldn't easily talk to them!
A medieval TV series set in early 14th century Wales, airing in 2015. Wilkin Brattle, a knight in the army of King Edward I of England, is broken by the horrors of war and betrayed by a fellow Englishman's lust for power who leaves him for dead. Near death, a child apparition implores him to lay down his sword and follow a new path. But when violence finds him again, he is forced to pick up the bloodiest sword of all: an executioner's sword as well as a whole new identity. The plot partially involves the fallout from the Madog ap Llywelyn Welsh rebellion.
That's because The Bastard Executioner will take place in 14th century northern Wales and focus on the former knight Wilkin Brattle (Lee Jones), who is persuaded by a soothsayer to take on the role of an executioner. Through Wilkin's struggle to protect his new identity, The Bastard Executioner will feature issues in politics, class relations and religion.
As I previously mentioned, Wilkin was a knight before becoming the eponymous executioner in this show. Wilkin served under King Edward I, who was part of the Plantagenets of the British monarchy. He reigned from 1272 to 1307, so since this series is said to take place in the 14th century, it sounds like we'll either be watching the end of his time as king or the aftermath of it.
Whether or not you've studied medieval history, you probably have that image of a giant hooded man dressed in all black and wielding an ax whenever you hear the word "executioner." Promos for The Bastard Executioner have given us quick glimpses of Wilkin assuming this new role by slicing some poor guy's head off. However, were medieval executioners really as bad and scary as they seem?
 32749fdeaf