Set in 43AD, the captivating, anarchic drama will follow the Roman army as they return to crush the Celtic heart of Britannia, a mysterious land led by warrior women and powerful Druids who claim to channel the powerful forces of the underworld.
Annabel Scholey, who plays Amena in the show, explained exactly what the show is about, and teased that viewers can draw parallels with leaving the European Union.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Annabel explained: “It’s a nine-part historical drama, loosely based on history. 43AD. We start with the Roman’s second attempt at an invasion on Britain. They find an extremely frightening, savage Britain and we are basically at war with each other.
“It was a very tribal place. The tribes are very much concentrated on hating one another and fighting over the land.
“The Romans sort of sneak in at first without being noticed which is obviously terrifying, and find an extremely weird, almost psychedelic… because we have the element of the Druid tribe who are very much the motor and beard and feared because they are the mouthpiece for the gods.
She continued: “We all believe in multiple gods in our world so anything that the gods will us to do, they tell the Druids and they tell us. So the Druids are basically in charge of our lives. So that’s quite frightening. They could [have their own agenda] and that’s what’s interesting about it.
“There’s a fine line between magic. They seem to be a magical tribe. But how much is that them manipulating the rest of us and manipulating our belief in the gods and out fear of the underworld? They are the extreme manipulators, rather than magicians.”
Linking the Brexit voting split to themes in the show, Annabel added that there are comparisons to be made to a modern day Britain.
Annabel said: “Things were probably a little more violent back then, but you can liken the current situation, the unrest that we’re all feeling at the moment. Not warring with Europe, but obviously we’re breaking our ties with Europe so I suppose there could be a tenuous link there.
“This is the story of Europe coming over to Britain, and Britain was really fighting amongst themselves. You know, the Brexit campaign had half of the population voting Remain and half were Leave, so there are comparisons I think.
“But that’s been true since the beginning of time. It’s a shame that we’re all still fighting each other, that’s the only thing I’d say!”
The series was filmed in both the Czech Republic and Wales and features a wardrobe full of costumes created specifically for the show.
Explaining how she would get into character on set, Annabel revealed: “Costumes are always really at the heart of it, and particularly shoes. I actually chose to do a lot of my bigger scenes barefoot because I really felt like that was appropriate to feel the Earth under my feet.
“It’s a very earthy tribe to be a part of, the Celts, and you’re fighting over land, so it really grounded me. The costume designer Ann Maskrey, she’s so brilliant. She discussed the colours with us and the materials were absolutely beautiful.
“So you really felt compelled and completely in a different time. It’s quite a muscular, powerful time. So that really helped me get into character.”
All episodes of Britannia are available now on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.
