Beowolf criticised for 'blatantly ripping off' Game of Thrones

Some viewers noted that the theme tune and opening titles were similar

Kieran Bew as Beowolf in ITV's new adaptation of the Old English epic (ITV)

There’s only one Game of Thrones and winter will come to anyone who dare try and recreate it. So when ITV’s new adaptation of Beowulf reached living rooms on Sunday, its familiar style and grand themes quickly saw it branded a “blatant rip-off” of the hugely popular HBO drama.

Kieran Bew stars as the hero in Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, inspired by the oldest, longest Old English epic. Running over 13 episodes, the series cost a massive £17 million to produce and features plenty of dragons, damsels and duels.

Touted as a rival to Thrones, Beowulf was described as “boring”, “pants”, “disappointing” and “the worst new series” by viewers on Twitter with many noticing similarities between the theme tunes and opening credits.

Others compared the show unfavourably with new BBC adaptation War and Peace, while criticising unrealistic battles and dodgy CGI.

Bew, 35, was confident that Beowulf would be “thrilling entertainment” for all the family to enjoy. “This show is not elitist or overly earnest,” he told The Mirror.

“We’ve filmed very ambitious stunts and fight sequences with all these scary beasts. There’s conflict, love interest and almost a Wild West feel in some respects.”

Game of Thrones is set to return for season six in spring when the storyline will overtake George RR Martin’s books for the first time.