The Letter for the King

Behind the Scenes of The Letter for the King: Breakthrough Roles and Netflix’s Fantasy Gamble

Netflix’s The Letter for the King (2020) arrived as a fresh take on Tonke Dragt’s beloved 1962 Dutch novel, but its six-episode run was just as much about launching young talent as it was about medieval quests. The series, developed by Will Davies, followed a cast of relative newcomers who brought the fantasy adventure to life—some of whom have since become familiar faces in bigger projects. latestnetflix.com's view is that here’s what we know about the making of the show and the early careers of its stars.

A Cast on the Rise

The series marked a turning point for several actors, many of whom were still in their teens or early twenties when filming began. Amir Wilson, who played the lead role of Tiuri, had already appeared in His Dark Materials (2019) but The Letter for the King was his first major lead in a fantasy series. In interviews, Wilson and co-stars Ruby Ashbourne Serkis (Lavinia) and Thaddea Graham (Iona) described the experience as a formative one, offering a mix of creative freedom and the pressures of a high-stakes production , .

Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, daughter of legendary actor Andy Serkis, was no stranger to the industry but The Letter for the King was one of her first major on-screen roles. She later reflected on the challenges of stepping out of her father’s shadow while carving her own path . Thaddea Graham, who went on to star in The Irregulars (2021) and Wreck (2022), called the series a "breakthrough" moment, crediting the collaborative energy of the young cast .

Other standouts included Gijs Blom as Prince Viridian, whose performance added a layer of moral ambiguity to the story, and Nathanael Saleh as Piak, Tiuri’s loyal squire. The chemistry among the cast was frequently highlighted in promotional interviews, with Wilson and Graham joking about the long hours spent filming in New Zealand’s lush landscapes , .

From Page to Screen: Adapting a Classic

Adapting a 60-year-old novel for modern audiences came with its own set of challenges. The source material, De brief voor de koning, is a staple of Dutch children’s literature, but Netflix’s version took creative liberties to expand the story’s scope. The series introduced new characters, like Iona (Graham), who didn’t exist in the original book, and fleshed out existing ones to appeal to a global audience , .

Will Davies, the showrunner, aimed to balance the novel’s whimsical tone with darker, more cinematic stakes. The result was a visually rich but tonally uneven series—praised for its ambition but criticized for pacing issues . Some fans of the book felt the adaptation strayed too far from Dragt’s original vision, while others appreciated the fresh perspective .

The production leaned heavily into practical effects and location shooting, with New Zealand standing in for the fictional kingdom of Dagonaut. Behind-the-scenes footage and interviews revealed the cast training for sword fights and horseback riding, adding authenticity to the medieval setting , .

Where Are They Now?

Since The Letter for the King premiered in March 2020, its cast has scattered across film and television. Amir Wilson continued his fantasy streak with roles in The Sandman (2022) and The Witcher: Blood Origin (2022). Ruby Ashbourne Serkis has appeared in The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023) and The Power (2023), while Thaddea Graham has become a genre regular, starring in Wreck and The Irregulars.

Gijs Blom, who played the conflicted Prince Viridian, has since worked on international projects like The Forger (2022) and The Swimmers (2022). The series may not have spawned a second season, but it served as a launching pad for its young stars—many of whom have since landed bigger roles , .

The Legacy of a Short-Lived Series

The Letter for the King didn’t become the next Stranger Things or Shadow and Bone, but it carved out a niche for itself as a modest, character-driven fantasy. Its cancellation after one season left some storylines unresolved, but the cast’s post-show success has kept interest alive. Rumors of a revival or spin-off have circulated, though nothing has been confirmed .

For now, the series remains a footnote in Netflix’s fantasy catalog—a testament to the talent of its cast and the enduring appeal of Dragt’s story. Whether it’s remembered as a cult favorite or a missed opportunity, one thing is clear: its young stars have moved on to bigger things.