Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Cursed, which reimagined the classic Arthurian legend through the eyes of a powerful young woman destined to become the Lady of the Lake in this visually stunning fantasy series.
Cursed premiered on Netflix on July 17, 2020, as a fantasy adventure series consisting of 10 episodes with an average runtime of 52 minutes each. Created by Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler, based on their own illustrated novel, this series starred Katherine Langford and Devon Terrell in a fresh take on medieval legends. Unfortunately, the series was cancelled by Netflix in July 2021 after just one season, leaving fans without closure to the story’s cliffhanger ending.
The series follows Nimue, a young Fey woman with mysterious powers who becomes the unlikely hero of her people’s struggle for survival against religious persecution. Cursed takes the familiar Arthurian mythology and flips it on its head, centering the narrative on female agency and power while exploring themes of prejudice, destiny, and the cost of leadership. With its blend of magic, political intrigue, and stunning cinematography, the show offered a darker, more complex vision of the legendary world than traditional adaptations.
The Fey’s Fight Against Religious Persecution
The central plot follows Nimue as she witnesses the massacre of her Fey village by the Red Paladins, a fanatical religious order determined to eliminate all magic from the world. After her mother’s death, Nimue inherits the legendary Sword of Power and must embark on a dangerous quest to deliver it to the wizard Merlin while protecting the surviving members of her people.
Cursed excels at using fantasy elements to address contemporary issues of religious extremism, ethnic cleansing, and the persecution of marginalized communities. The series doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of genocide, showing how fear and religious fanaticism can drive ordinary people to commit horrific acts against those they perceive as different.
The show’s strength lies in its ability to balance epic fantasy adventure with intimate character development, making the stakes feel both personal and universal as Nimue struggles with her growing powers and the weight of leadership thrust upon her.
Nimue: The Reluctant Chosen One
Katherine Langford delivers a compelling performance as Nimue, transforming from a village outcast into a powerful leader who must embrace her destiny as the future Lady of the Lake. Langford captures both Nimue’s vulnerability as a young woman traumatized by loss and her growing strength as she discovers the true extent of her magical abilities.
Throughout the series, we watch Nimue evolve from someone who fears her powers and their consequences into a woman willing to use them to protect her people, even when it means making difficult moral choices. Langford’s performance grounds the fantasy elements in genuine emotional truth, making Nimue’s journey feel authentic despite the magical circumstances.
Nimue’s character development represents the series’ central theme about finding strength in what makes you different and learning to lead even when you don’t feel ready for the responsibility.
Arthur and Merlin: Familiar Legends in New Roles
Devon Terrell brings charm and complexity to Arthur, reimagined here not as a destined king but as a charming mercenary who gradually discovers his own nobility through his relationship with Nimue. The chemistry between Terrell and Langford creates a compelling romantic subplot that feels fresh rather than forced, as both characters challenge and inspire each other.
Gustaf Skarsgård’s portrayal of Merlin presents the legendary wizard as a fallen figure struggling with alcoholism and the loss of his magical powers. This darker, more human version of Merlin adds emotional depth to the familiar character while exploring themes of redemption and the price of wielding great power.
The supporting cast, including Peter Mullan as the fanatical Father Carden and Daniel Sharman as the mysterious Weeping Monk, creates a rich ensemble that brings depth and complexity to the world of Cursed.
The Sword’s Power Unleashes Ancient Conflicts
Without spoiling the dramatic revelations, Cursed builds to a climax that explores the true nature of the Sword of Power and its connection to both Nimue’s destiny and the ancient conflicts between the Fey and human worlds. The final episodes successfully escalate the political and magical stakes while providing character moments that deepen our understanding of the central relationships.
The series finale sets up major developments that unfortunately were never resolved due to the show’s cancellation, leaving viewers with tantalizing hints about Nimue’s transformation into the Lady of the Lake and the future of the Fey people’s struggle for survival.
The conclusion demonstrates how Cursed succeeded in creating a unique vision of Arthurian legend that felt both timeless and urgently contemporary in its themes.
Success and Cancellation on Netflix
Cursed generated significant buzz for Netflix upon its release, praised for its stunning production values, diverse casting, and Katherine Langford’s central performance. The series successfully attracted audiences looking for female-centered fantasy content and demonstrated Netflix’s commitment to high-budget genre programming. However, despite critical acclaim for its visual design and thematic ambitions, the series struggled to maintain viewer engagement throughout its ten-episode run. The show’s cancellation after one season reflected Netflix’s increasingly selective approach to expensive fantasy productions, though Cursed left a lasting impression on fans who appreciated its bold reimagining of classic mythology.
Perfect Fantasy for Legend Lovers
If you love fantasy series with strong female protagonists and fresh takes on classic mythology, Cursed is worth watching on Netflix despite its premature cancellation. This Arthurian reimagining delivers stunning visuals, compelling characters, and themes that resonate with contemporary audiences seeking diverse representation in fantasy storytelling.
Why This Cancelled Fantasy Still Deserves Recognition
Positive Points:
- Katherine Langford delivers a powerful performance as the complex protagonist
- Stunning cinematography and production design that brings the medieval world to life
- Fresh take on familiar Arthurian legends with meaningful contemporary themes
- Diverse casting that reimagines classic characters for modern audiences
- Strong supporting performances, particularly Gustaf Skarsgård as Merlin
Negative Points:
- Series was cancelled after one season, leaving major plot threads unresolved
- Some pacing issues in the middle episodes slow down the narrative momentum
- Complex mythology can be confusing for viewers unfamiliar with Arthurian legend
- Violent content and dark themes may be too intense for some fantasy fans
- Limited character development for some supporting cast members due to early cancellation
Cursed proves that even cancelled series can offer valuable storytelling experiences, especially when they dare to reimagine beloved legends through new perspectives.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 10 episodes (one season)
- Platform: Netflix
- Release Year: 2020
- IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
- Genre: Fantasy Adventure, Medieval Drama, Coming-of-Age
- Type of Production: American/British series
- Status: Cancelled after one season (2021)
- Protagonists: Katherine Langford (Nimue), Devon Terrell (Arthur)
- Antagonists: Peter Mullan (Father Carden), Daniel Sharman (The Weeping Monk)