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[title]Dragons, warring kingdoms and impossible loves: War of the Kingdoms arrives in Argentina promising epic spectacle, with Lilja van der Zwaag as its leading star. The acclaimed actress (whom we’ve seen in New Year’s Years and Oh Hell) fronts this superproduction inspired by The Song of the Nibelungs, the legend that laid the foundations for universes like Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.
Premiering exclusively on Universal+ on December 14, the series blends stunning battles, political intrigue and forbidden passions in a world on the brink of collapse. In an exclusive interview with Time Out, van der Zwaag previews the secrets of her character, reflects on the impact of leading a production of this scale, and explains why War of the Kingdoms is a must-watch for fantasy fans.
WATCH THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH LILJA VAN DER ZWAAG ON TIME OUT LIVE
You’ve worked on very different projects from War of the Kingdoms. What did it mean for you to join an epic production of this scale and genre?
It’s interesting because almost three years have passed, so now I can look back on the project with some distance. It was one of the first big jobs I did for film, and honestly it was overwhelming, but also very exciting. I was completely thrilled.
Did you enjoy working within this genre?
Yes, very much. I believe in the mystical things that surround us, and I’m interested in the idea that there might be other creatures in the world that we don’t see. I love the archetypes that appear in fantasy and I’m a big fan of the genre. I love Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter—that whole universe.
Do you feel this role marks a before and after in your career?
I don’t fully know yet. Sometimes things fall into place over time. After finishing this project, which was my first role of this magnitude, there was a fairly quiet period. But now I feel like I’m reaping what I sowed back then. This summer I worked on some beautiful projects and I definitely think it was a turning point. When you do something that big at the beginning of your career, it changes you.
Beyond the fantasy universe, is there something personal that you bring to the character?
I think as an actress you always bring something personal to every character. You work with emotions, experiences and inner worlds that are already inside you. In this role there’s a lot of personal material and a lot of me.
What is Lilia like within War of the Kingdoms? What defines her?
What we share is that she has the courage to confront things and speak her truth. That becomes very clear toward the end. Lilia is someone who seeks the truth and tries to be honest in a complex world.
“Like me, my character has the courage to confront things and speak her truth”
If you could bring one object, character or element from War of the Kingdoms into real life, what would it be?
Good question. I’d love to have dragons. That would be incredible—though also a bit terrifying. If I could control them, it would be perfect, because otherwise having dragons flying around is scary. But yes, I’d choose dragons.
What aspects of the period surprised you during filming?
I grew up in Berlin, in a very liberal environment with lots of possibilities. What struck me most was how strict life was in the Middle Ages, especially within royal families. There was no freedom to choose your own path. Feeling that lack of options was very intense. Comparing it to life today makes me incredibly grateful to be living in this time.
Beyond the action and the war, would you say the story focuses on relationships and constraints, such as arranged marriages?
Yes. The series revolves around a love story—a tragic story between three people. I sometimes call it a “triangle of sadness.” But it also speaks a lot about family: family love, loyalty, friendship, and the bonds you rely on. The love story frames everything, but in between there’s also love for family, for those who are lost and for those who remain. In the end, it’s a story about love in all its forms.