Game of Thrones' Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Goes Gothic in New Horror Film Role

Written by Sam Hoare and directed by Joanne Coates, the film is set in medieval England, with Coster-Waldau playing heroic knight Sir Peter as he returns home from years in battle overseas.

Accompanied by his teenage son, Sir Peter discovers a very different England from the one he left. The land is ravaged by plague and civil unrest – and Sir Peter vows to rescue a villager who has disappeared in suspicious circumstances.

Naturally, all is not as it seems, and Sir Peter is forced to make some tough choices as he tries to do good.

So, while Coster-Waldau may well be donning his armour once more as he takes on the role of a knight, in Virtue he plays a good knight forced to face his own humanity. This is something of a turnaround from his time playing bad knight turned good – turned bad again, Jaime Lannister in GoT.

Gabrielle Stewart, CEO of Executive Producers HanWay Films described the upcoming movie as one that subverts the tradition of Middle Ages movies that reinforce "the patriarchal order with knights in shining armour saving damsels in distress." Virtue, he said '' takes you on a thrilling and scary ride" that challenges "the gender and power structures (the Middle Ages) protects."

Coster-Waldau explained his reasons for taking on the role and why he's excited about his latest project.

He was drawn to it by "the combination of a strong original story by Sam Hoare and the chance of getting to work with Joanna Coates." Through many conversations with Coates, Coster-Walder said it has become clear to him that working with her is an "exceptional opportunity." They have discussed the character of Sir Peter, his journey and how he is pivotal to a movie that aims to explore issues such as virtue, honour, family, lust, love, class and fear.

The film is intended to be a riveting ride that excites and surprises audiences in equal measure. But it may also generate debate and get viewers reimagining their take on some of the topics it tackles – which the actor sees as something of a bonus.

"If the themes (inspire) discussion after the end credits roll," he said, "then even better."