Legends re-imagined
Netflix series ‘Cursed’ tells the Arthurian narrative through the eyes of the Lady of the Lake
Zetna Fuentes knows to listen to the butterflies in her stomach.
That’s usually a sign, she’s on to something great.
Fuentes is at the helm of the first two episodes of the new Netflix fantasy series, “Cursed,” which began streaming on Friday, July 17.
Fuentes was drawn to the series because it follows the King Arthur legends.
“I’ve been fascinated by that world,” she says. “When
I read (the script), it was taking the Lady of the Lake and telling her coming of age story. I was so excited to explore that aspect of the legend. This was an opportunity to put a woman’s lens on a story we know so well.”
The series is based on the New York Times bestselling illustrated novel of the same name by Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler.
“Cursed” is a re-imagination of the Arthurian legend, told through the eyes of Nimue, played by Katherine Langford, a young woman with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful (and tragic) Lady of the Lake.
After her mother’s death, she finds an unexpected partner in Arthur, played by Devon Terrell, a humble mercenary, in a quest to find Merlin, played by Gustaf Skarsgård and deliver an ancient sword.
Over the course of her journey, Nimue becomes a symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying Red Paladins, and their complicit King Uther.
“Tom and Frank created this story and I love that they chose to focus on Nimue,” Fuentes says. “It’s such a fresh take.”
Fuentes worked on the project for more than a year. It was a project that challenged her, but it also remained exciting to break new ground.
“The scale of the production was massive and I felt my share of nerves,” she says. “But once we started to shoot, I found myself bonding with the characters and the actors that works so hard to get it right.”
Production did also come with some obstacles.
“Because there is no template for creativity, it can feel like it is its own obstacle,” she says. “Sometimes there’s such a wide net that you’re casting. When it got overwhelming, I go back to the story and there are clues in there. It tells who what path to take.”
Being able to bring to life the story of a strong woman also checked all the boxes for Fuentes.
The story is relevant to today’s world with its themes such as the obliteration of the natural world, religious terror, senseless war, and finding the courage to lead in the face of the impossible.
“Historically, women and people of color, we don’t have the same opportunities,” she explains. “We don’t see ourselves in these roles. When you get to the characters in this series, it’s about the different points of view. Each person was encouraged to exist. This is the beginning.”
Growing up in the Bronx, New York, Fuentes says it was a melting pot of cultures.
Theses cultures are full of stories.
“You walk down the street and you’re immediately in a massive humanity,” she says. “Within each person is a story. It’s time that we tell them from all points of view.”