‘Cursed’ on Netflix - The Story of Nimue and Her Rivalry With Merlin

“Cursed”, the upcoming Netflix series is based on the Novel by Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler of the same name.

 

“Cursed” is a re-imagining of the Arthurian legend, told through the eyes of Nimue, a young heroine with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful (and tragic) Lady of the Lake.
The series is also described as a coming-of-age story whose themes are familiar to our own time: the obliteration of the natural world, religious terror, senseless war, and finding the courage to lead in the face of the impossible.

 

Now that we have got an idea about the series, let's talk about its main character Nimue which will be played by Katherine Langford.

 

Nimue also known as Lady of the Lake is an enchantress and a legend associated with King Arthur.

She plays a pivotal role in many stories, including giving Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchanting Merlin, and raising Lancelot after the death of his father.

 

In a 15 the century story, When Arthur and Merlin first meet this Lady of the Lake, she holds Excalibur out of the water and offers it to Arthur if he promises to fulfill a request from her later. He agrees and receives his famous sword. Later, the Lady of the Lake comes to Arthur's court to receive her end of the bargain; she asks for the head of Sir Balin, whom she blames for her brother's death.

 

Arthur refuses this request, and Balin swiftly decapitates her instead with his own magic sword in front of Arthur and sends off his squire with her head, much to distress and shame of the king. Arthur gives the Lady a rich burial, has her slayer banished, and allows Sir Launcenor of Ireland to go after him to avenge this disgrace.

 

Nimue appears as one of the primary antagonists in the Hellboy comic book series. She is driven mad after the powers she acquired from Merlin give her knowledge of the Ogdru Jahad, prompting the witches of Britain to dismember her and seal her away underground. Resurrected in the present day, she assumes the mantle of the Irish triple war goddess the Morrígan and assembles an army of legendary and folkloric beings to eradicate mankind.

The 2017 film "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" features the Lady of the Lake played by Jacqui Ainsley in a few scenes. She first appears in the flashbacks of the film as Bedivere tells Arthur how she bounded Excalibur to the Pendragon bloodline after Merlin used it to destroy the Mage Tower. She reappears in a later scene when she catches the sword underwater after Arthur throws it into the lake in shame of his failures; she pulls him underwater and shows him a vision of what his uncle Vortigan would do to England if he did not accept the sword and tells him that only he can prevent it. She then tells him that Vortigan must be met where sword meets tower and advises him to trust the Mage before returning the sword to Arthur.

 

Merlin is a legendary figure best known as an enchanter or wizard featured in Arthurian legend. Merlin has a major weakness that eventually leads him to his doom: young beautiful women of femme fatale archetype.

 

In a story, Merlin falls in love with Nimue and will not leave her alone. Eventually, since she cannot get rid of him otherwise, she decides to trap him under rock and makes sure he cannot escape. She is tired of his sexual advances, and afraid of his power as "a devil's son", so she does not have much of a choice but to ultimately get rid of him.

 

After enchanting Merlin, Nimue replaces him as Arthur's magician aide and adviser. She becomes the lover and eventual wife of Sir Pelleas and mother to his son Guivret.

Now, In the upcoming Netflix series “Cursed,” We will get to know the Origin of Nimue, the official synopsis of the series says "Nimue, a young heroine with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful (and tragic) Lady of the Lake." This will be the first time when we will get to see Nimue's origin story from her perspective. In all the previous stories and novels or films, she has been either a supporting character or the main villain but this time she will be the main hero.

 

The official series synopsis also says that, Paladins and their king will be the main villains and they will be the one against whom Nimue will fight, but we also know that Merlin and Nimue have always been the rivals and enemies and it quite possible for Merlin to be the actual villain in the series.

 

After her mother’s death, she finds an unexpected partner in Arthur, a young mercenary, in a quest to find Merlin and deliver an ancient sword. Over the course of her journey, Nimue will become a symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying Red Paladins, and their complicit King Uther.

So, how will Nimue fight and defeat the Red Paladins?, will she become the one to hold the sword forever and become the queen/king for her people? and is it possible for Nimue to fall in love with King Arthur in their quest to find Merlin?
I guess we will have to watch the Netflix series “Cursed” in order to get the answers. Also, the Sword is cursed not Nimue.

 

Katherine Langford is playing Nimue, Devon Terrell is playing Arthur and Gustaf Skarsgård is playing Merlin in the Netflix series.

“Cursed” arrives July 17 on Netflix and you can watch it @ https://www.netflix.com/title/80199393

 

Below is the official trailer for the series: