Looking at the new AXN Beyond series CAMELOT - The Story That Was Never Told

Last March 31 we were invited to the premiere of CAMELOT, the new series that will air on AXN Beyond shown in Greenbelt 3 cinema with media friends. The event was hosted by Amazing Race Asia winner Rich Arthur and TV celebrity and model Kat Alano dressed in medieval clothing and character to portraying the characters of the series. 

The series will air on April 4 on AXN Beyond across the asian region in the same week after its broadcast in the US. AXN Beyond also airs popular shows like Drop Dead Diva, Chuck, Being Human, The Defenders, and Caprica to name a few. The series budget is almost $50 Million and also boast cast and staff of 400, talking about powerhouse!

We have always seen versions of the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and with this series it shows an interesting take on the story with more twists and less fairy tales like most of the other versions show. Comprised with a cast of great actors and actresses, we would be interested to see the progress of the story and be captivated by this series.

Epic Drama Series Premieres Across Asia The Same Week As Its US Debut 

The myth of King Arthur has inspired many movies and drama series. If you believe you have seen it all, maybe it’s time to forget everything you think you know. This April 4 (Monday) at 9PM, AXN Beyond brings you Camelot, a dark and gripping take on the medieval legend that was never told.  

Camelot is the first drama series on AXN Beyond to have a simulcast across Asia in the same week as its U.S. broadcast.

Setting itself apart from other shows that have explored the Arthurian legend, Camelot traces the rise of young king Arthur as he struggles to unite a kingdom torn by war, deception and betrayal.

The kingdom of Camelot teeters on the edge of turmoil when King Uther Pendragon is suddenly murdered through supernatural means. Sorcerer Merlin (Joseph Fiennes, FlashForward, Shakespeare in Love) arrives too late to  save the dying king, but dark visions compel him to install Uther’s secret son – hidden at birth and brought up as a commoner – as heir to the throne. So begins the rise of the young and impetuous Arthur (Jamie Campbell Bower, Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Twilight Saga: New Moon) as the new king.

Allying with dark supernatural forces and the kingdom’s enemies, Morgan, Arthur’s beautiful but ruthlessly ambitious half sister (Eva Green, The Golden Compass, Casino Royale) -– responsible for Uther’s death – wages a bitter war against him to claim the crown.

In such trying times, Arthur finds the innocent yet strong Guinevere (Tamsin Egerton, St Trinian’s, Keeping Mum) a beacon in the darkness and inspiration for him to grow into the king he has to become. Guided by Merlin’s magical foresight and belief, and aided by his brave knights, Arthur sets forth to bring justice, hope and freedom to a kingdom corrupted by violence, greed and despair.

Camelot is being brought to life by a stellar cast. Rising star Jamie Campbell Bower plays the young Arthur, while critically acclaimed actress Eva Green portrays key antagonist Morgan. Morgan’s foil, the resourceful, macho man-of-action Merlin is played by theatre veteran Joseph Fiennes. Budding British actress-model Tamsin Egerton is Guinevere, who cannot help falling for Arthur even when betrothed to knight Leontes.

Arthur’s birth mother Igraine is played by English actress Claire Forlani (Meet Joe Black), while Canadian actor Peter Mooney (Falcon Beach) takes the part of Arthur’s adoptive elder brother and loyal knight, Kay. 

Cast aside, Camelot was shot amid stunning scenery in County Wicklow, Ireland, including on location at the stately Luggala Castle and the magnificent Powerscourt Estate. Dubbed the "Garden of Ireland” at the eastern frontier of the country overlooking the Irish Sea, County Wicklow, with its breathtaking rolling hills, was also where hit period drama series The Tudors was shot.

Achieving the production quality and visual experience akin to that of movies today, Camelot is shot on a budget of almost US$50 million, with up to 400 cast and crew members involved. The 10-part series is an Irish/Canadian co-production by GK-tv, the television division of Graham King and Tim Headington’s GK Films, the production studio behind the 2010 movie, The Tourist. The series is created by British screenwriter Michael Hirst, who was behind such works as The Tudors and movie Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and penned by Chris Chibnall of Torchwood and Life on Mars fame.

Drawing inspiration from Thomas Malory’s literary classic ‘Le Morte d’ Arthur’, Chibnall revealed that viewers of Camelot will not miss out on signature events and characters, such as the ‘sword in the stone’, the ‘Lady of the Lake’, and the beginnings of the Round Table – but none will be like what have been done before.

With all the ingredients of a world-class production, Camelot promises an experience beyond your imagination as the epic, untold story is revealed this April, only on AXN Beyond.

Camelot premieres 4 April 2011 in the same week of its US debut

Airing Mondays 9pm (SG, MY, PH, HK) / 8pm (JKT)

First and exclusively on AXN Beyond

Super Tuesdays on the All NEW & Exciting AXN Beyond!

Get set to be blown away by the latest drama and entertainment shows on an all new, all awesome AXN Beyond channel. More than ever, viewers from the Philippines will enjoy a fresh and unrivalled programming line-up Tuesday nights across a newly-expanded spectrum of genres, as AXN Beyond refreshes to redefine the entertainment experience like no other.

AXN Beyond viewers are set to enjoy a back-to-back series of the channel’s very latest shows on Super Tuesday evenings not-to-be-missed. The fun begins with reality talk show The Marriage Ref, as celebrities such as Madonna, Demi Moore and Gwyneth Paltrow pass judgement on real-life couples’ marriages.

That leads to light-hearted series like Drop Dead Diva Season 2 which continues the life of shallow model Deb (Brooke Elliott) whose soul ends up in the body of a brilliant, plus-size attorney. The night’s fun culminates in AXN Beyond’s headliner of the month – fresh new legal comedic drama The Defenders which stars Jim Belushi (According to Jim) and Jerry O’Connell (Sliders) as colourful Las Vegas defence attorneys.

With all that and more, viewers will surely adore the all-new, all awesome entertainment experience with the latest shows across the greatest variety of genres, unveiling this December on the fresh, hip and super-sized AXN Beyond. Check out some of these shows airing tonight:

The Marriage Ref

Tuesdays, 8:10pm, first and exclusively on AXN Beyond

Jerry Seinfeld is back and in the producer's chair for a funny and revealing comedy panel series The Marriage Ref, about the unpredictable and hilarious institution commonly known as marriage. In The Marriage Ref, disputes between real-life couples are revealed, examined - and ultimately judged.

For the first time, audiences will be able to look at these fights, analyze them and declare a winner. At the centre of the action and making "the call", is popular comedian Tom Papa (The Informant!) who will have the final say in determining the victor of each spat.

Advising and influencing the Ref's decision will be a rotating panel of ‘experts’ comprising top celebrities, comedians and sports stars who will weigh in and offer their own wit, wisdom and unique opinions. Guest stars featuring through the series include Tina Fey, Eva Longoria Parker, Larry David, Ricky Gervais, Madonna, Martha Stewart, Sheryl Crow, Tracy Morgan, Gloria Estefan, Donald Trump and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Drop Dead Diva Season 2

Tuesdays 9pm on AXN Beyond

Returning for a second season, comedic drama Drop Dead Diva continues the story of a shallow wannabe model that dies in a sudden accident, only to find her soul resurfacing in the body of a brilliant, plus-size and recently deceased attorney, Jane.

At the close of last season, Deb was ready to let go of her past and embrace her new life as Jane. But the unexpected arrival of Jane’s “secret” husband, Ethan (Devon Gummersall), at her doorstep left her with more questions than ever. To make matters worse, Jane may be disbarred after breaching client-attorney confidentiality when, against the firm’s advisement, she reported her client for fraud. Faced with a new love triangle and the uncertainty of her career, Jane must, once again, chart out a new future for herself…

The 13-episode second season of Drop Dead Diva features breakout star Brooke Elliott (Wicked, Taboo”), Margaret Cho (Ghost Whisperer, Notorious C.H.O.), Jackson Hurst (The Tree of Life), Kate Levering (Cashmere Mafia), April Bowlby (Two and a Half Men), Josh Stamberg (Lie to Me) and Ben Feldman (The Perfect Man).The Season 2 opener of Drop Dead Diva will feature entertainer Paula Abdul (American Idol) reprising her role as Judge Paula Abdul, a figment of Jane’s subconscious. Devon Gummersall (“My So-Called Life”) and David Denman (“The Office”) return as guest stars this season.

The Defenders

Tuesdays 9.50pm first and exclusively on AXN Beyond

The Defenders is a comedic drama about two colourful Las Vegas defence attorneys who go all-in when it comes to representing their clients. Nick (Jim Belushi, According to Jim) and Pete (Jerry O’Çonnell, Sliders, Crossing Jordan) are the local go-to guys with an eclectic client list who are still looking to hit their own jackpot.

Leading the law firm of Morelli & Kaczmarek are Nick Morelli, an earnest, hard-charging attorney who represents his clients to the best of his ability, no matter how big or small the case; and his partner, Pete Kaczmarek, whose passion for the law is matched only by his love of fast cars, beautiful women and expensive clothes. 

Joining them in their growing law practice is new associate Lisa Tyler (Jurnee Smollett, The Great Debaters), an enthusiastic young attorney looking to put her exotic dancing days behind her; and their young assistant, Sophie (Tanya Fischer, Life On Mars), a spunky and sweet ingénue who is eager to please her bosses.