I am really excited about this... It's an adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's "Saxon Stories" which is a historical fiction based in 9th Century England before England was one nation. The Danes have invaded the north, the Scots and Irish are still tribes, and Wales is independent. The main kingdoms are Northumbria (Cumbreland), Mercia, East Anglia, and Wessex.

The story centers around Uhtred of Bebbanburg who is a lordling. His father is killed by Danes and he is adopted by the Danish raiding party who killed his father (way more to that story). He grows up and winds up fighting for the King of Wessex who is spreading Christendom, though Ihtred remains true to the Gods of the Danes and his Father (Odin, Thor, Freyr)

Anyways, there are 7 or 8 books out already that are pretty quick reads (400-600 pages each) and I have found them to be fantastic. If you are bored waiting for GRRM to release book 6, I recommend this series to satiate you.

Here is the trailer for the show:

Another short clip:

Watchlisting

The director is the same thy does Downton Abby, I believe, which gives me hope it could be good.