The Last Kingdom (TV series)

The Last Kingdom (TV series)
The Last Kingdom is a British historical fiction television series based on Bernard Cornwell's The Saxon Stories series of novels. The series was developed for television by Stephen Butchard and premiered on 10 October 2015 on BBC Two. For the second season, Netflix co-produced the series. In 2018, the series was acquired by Netflix who continued to solely produce the series for three more seasons. The series concluded on 9 March 2022 after five seasons for a total of 46 episodes. A feature-length sequel that concluded the series story, titled Seven Kings Must Die, premiered on 14 April 2023 on Netflix.
Premise
Series One
Produced by the BBC, the first series adapts the first two novels of Bernard Cornwell's series of novels The Saxon Stories, The Last Kingdom and The Pale Horseman. The series covers the years 866–878 where the arrival of the Great Heathen Army in England led by Guthrum and Ubba Ragnarsson redefines the relationship between Vikings and Anglo-Saxons. Following the establishment of Danish rule, Uhtred, a Saxon raised by the Danes, comes to the aid of the kingdom of Wessex and its ruler King Alfred with the hope of eventually retaking his home of Bebbanburg as ongoing Viking incursions attempt to conquer the whole of England.
The eight-episode first series premiered on BBC Two on 10 October 2015 and concluded on 28 November 2015.
Series Two
Co-produced by the BBC and Netflix, the second series adapts Cornwell's third and fourth novels The Lords of the North and Sword Song. The series covers the years 879–886 and deals with Uhtred's quest in Northumbria to defeat his old enemy Kjartan the Cruel whilst the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia combat the invading Norse brothers Sigefrid and Eric.
The eight-episode second series premiered on BBC Two on 15 March 2017 and concluded on 4 May 2017.
Series Three
Solely produced by Netflix, the third series adapts Cornwell's fifth and sixth novels The Burning Land and Death of Kings, however, there are significant plot changes from the novels compared to the previous two seasons. The series covers the years 892–902 and deals with the end of King Alfred's reign whilst the conflict between the Saxons and the Danes grows after the arrival of the Second Great Danish Army led by the coalition of Viking warlords including Ragnar the Younger, Cnut, Sigurd Bloodhair and Haesten.
The ten-episode third series premiered in its entirety on Netflix on 19 November 2018.
Series Four
The fourth series adapts Cornwell's seventh and eighth novels The Pagan Lord and The Empty Throne. Similar to series three, there are significant plot changes from the novels. The series covers the years 909–911 and deals with the early years of King Edward's reign over the Saxons, ongoing political struggles in Mercia and the Second Great Danish Army's continued invasion of Wessex that culminates in the Siege of Wintanceaster.
The ten-episode fourth series premiered in its entirety on Netflix on 26 April 2020.
Series Five
The fifth series adapts Cornwell's ninth and tenth novels Warriors of the Storm and The Flame Bearer, and includes elements of the eleventh novel War of the Wolf. Similar to series three and four, there are significant plot changes from the novels. The series covers the years 917–920 and deals with the disputed lines of succession in Wessex and Mercia, conflict with the remaining Vikings in Northumbria led by Uhtred's son-in-law Sigtryggr, and Uhtred returning to Bebbanburg once more to finally achieve his destiny.
The ten-episode fifth and final series premiered in its entirety on Netflix on 9 March 2022.
Seven Kings Must Die
The film Seven Kings Must Die adapts Cornwell's thirteenth and final novel of The Saxon Stories, War Lord, and includes elements of the twelfth novel Sword of Kings, giving a final sendoff to Uhtred of Bebbanburg. The film covers the year 924 and deals with the fallout following the death of King Edward as his disputed heir Aethelstan seizes the throne of England and ignites a war with an alliance of Kings that decides the future of England.
The film was written by Martha Hillier and directed by Edward Bazalgette. It premiered on Netflix on 14 April 2023.
Cast and characters
Cast table
Main
Introduced in Series 1
Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon warrior raised by the Danes who desires to reclaim his birthright at Bebbanburg
Tom Taylor portrays a young Uhtred (guest series 1)
Tobias Santelmann as Ragnar the Younger (series 1–3), the son of a Danish warlord and Uhtred's foster brother
Emily Cox as Brida (series 1–5; guest Seven Kings Must Die), a free-spirited Saxon who, like Uhtred, was adopted by the Danes at a young age
Jocelyn Macnab portrays a young Brida (guest series 1)
Thomas W. Gabrielsson as Guthrum (series 1), one of the leaders of the Great Heathen Army, a large force of Viking warriors that invaded England
Joseph Millson as Aelfric of Bebbanburg (series 1–2, 4), Uhtred's uncle, who usurps his position as the Lord of Bebbanburg
Rune Temte as Ubba Ragnarsson (series 1), one of the infamous sons of Ragnar Lodbrok and a leader of the Great Heathen Army
Matthew Macfadyen as Ealdorman Uhtred (series 1), Uhtred's father and the Ealdorman of Bebbanburg
David Dawson as King Alfred (series 1–3), the King of Wessex who hopes to unite England against the invading Danes
Adrian Bower as Leofric (series 1; guest series 3), a skilled Saxon soldier who serves Alfred and works closely with Uhtred
Simon Kunz as Odda the Elder (series 1–2), the Ealdorman of Devonshire and Alfred's closest advisor
Harry McEntire as Prince Aethelwold (series 1–3), Alfred's nephew who schemes to steal the crown of Wessex for himself
Brian Vernel as Odda the Younger (series 1), the reckless son of Odda the Elder
Ian Hart as Father Beocca (series 1–4), the former priest of Bebbanburg who serves Alfred in Wintanceaster
Amy Wren as Mildrith (series 1), a Saxon noblewoman and Uhtred's first wife
Charlie Murphy as Queen Iseult (series 1), the Briton "shadow queen" of Cornwalum
Introduced in Series 2
Thure Lindhardt as King Guthred (series 2), a former slave and the pretender king of Northumbria
David Schofield as Abbot Eadred (series 2), Guthred's closest advisor
Eva Birthistle as Hild (series 2–5; guest series 1), a resourceful nun who becomes one of Uhtred's allies
Gerard Kearns as Halig (series 2; guest series 1), a Saxon messenger who becomes one of Uhtred's allies
Peri Baumeister as Gisela (series 2–3), Uhtred's second wife and Guthred's sister
Eliza Butterworth as Lady Aelswith (series 2–5; recurring series 1), Alfred's wife and the queen consort of Wessex
Peter McDonald as Brother Trew (series 2), a priest who serves under Guthred
Mark Rowley as Finan (series 2–5; Seven Kings Must Die), a fierce Irish warrior sworn to Uhtred and his second-in-command
Alexandre Willaume as Kjartan the Cruel (series 2; guest series 1), a Danish warrior responsible for massacring the household where Uhtred was raised
Ole Christoffer Ertvaag as Sven the One-Eyed (series 2; guest series 1), Kjartan's sadistic son
Andrew Lukacs portrays a young Sven (guest series 1)
Julia Bache-Wiig as Thyra (series 2–3; guest series 1), Ragnar's sister and Uhtred's foster sister who was kidnapped by Kjartan and held captive for many years
Madeleine Power portrays a young Thyra (guest series 1)
Björn Bengtsson as Sigefrid (series 2), a Norse Earl who, alongside his brother Erik, ruthlessly raids settlements throughout England
Cavan Clerkin as Father Pyrlig (series 2–5; Seven Kings Must Die), a Welsh priest and former warrior sworn to serve the ruler of Wessex
Arnas Fedaravičius as Sihtric (series 2–5; Seven Kings Must Die), Kjartan's bastard son who becomes one of Uhtred's most trusted allies
Christian Hillborg as Erik (series 2), a Norse Earl who is Sigefrid's kinder and more diplomatic brother
Jeppe Beck Laursen as Haesten (series 2–5; guest Seven Kings Must Die), a Danish chieftain who serves Sigefrid and Erik and will do anything for personal gain
Toby Regbo as Lord Aethelred (series 2–4), the Lord of Mercia who hopes to one day rule England
Millie Brady as Lady Aethelflaed (series 2–5), Alfred and Aelswith's daughter, Aethelred's wife and the Lady of Mercia
Zsofia Farkas portrays a young Aethelflaed (guest series 1)
James Northcote as Aldhelm (series 2–5; Seven Kings Must Die), Aethelred and Aethelflaed's closest ally and chief Huscarl
Ewan Mitchell as Osferth (series 2–5), Alfred's bastard son who becomes one of Uhtred's most trusted allies
Introduced in Series 3
Timothy Innes as King Edward (series 3–5), Alfred and Aelswith's son who succeeds his father as King of the Anglo-Saxons
Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Skade (series 3), a skald and supposed sorceress loyal to Bloodhair
Ola Rapace as Sigurd Bloodhair (series 3), a merciless leader of the Second Great Danish Army who believes it's his destiny to overthrow King Alfred
Magnus Bruun as Cnut (series 3–4), a powerful Danish warlord, cousin of Ragnar and a leader of the Second Great Danish Army who plans to conquer Wessex
Simon Stenspil as Dagfinn (series 3; guest series 2), a Danish chieftain and Haesten's second-in-command
Adrian Schiller as Ealdorman Aethelhelm (series 3–5), the richest man in Wessex who schemes to put his future grandchildren on the throne of England
Adrian Bouchet as Steapa (series 3–4; recurring series 2), Alfred's chief Huscarl and a fierce warrior
Kevin Eldon as Bishop Erkenwald (series 3), the Bishop of Lunden
Introduced in Series 4
Jamie Blackley as Eardwulf (series 4), a disgraced Mercian nobleman and the commander of Aethelred's household troops
Stefanie Martini as Eadith (series 4–5), Aethelred's mistress and Eardwulf's younger sister
Finn Elliott as Uhtred Uhtredson (series 4–5), Uhtred and Gisela's devout son who disagrees with his father's actions and pagan beliefs
Ruby Hartley as Stiorra (series 4–5), Uhtred's and Gisela's daughter who takes after her father and prefers to associate with Danes
Amelia Clarkson as Lady Aelflaed (series 4–5; recurring series 3), Edward's wife, Aethelhelm's daughter and the queen consort of Wessex
Richard Dillane as Ealdorman Ludeca (series 4), an Ealdorman of Mercia and part of a Witan to decide Mercia's future ruler
Dorian Lough as Ealdorman Burgred (series 4–5), an Ealdorman of Mercia who wishes to see his son become the Lord of Mercia
Steffan Rhodri as King Hywel Dda (series 4; Seven Kings Must Die), the Welsh King of Deheubarth who dispises the Saxons
Nigel Lindsay as Prince Rhodri (series 4), Hywel's younger brother and second-in-command
Eysteinn Sigurðarson as Sigtryggr (series 4–5), the grandson of Ivar the Boneless and a cunning Norse–Gael warlord forced out of Irland
Introduced in Series 5
Harry Gilby as Aethelstan (series 5; Seven Kings Must Die), King Edward's illegitimate elder son and a disputed heir to the throne of England who is under Uhtred's protection while he's trained to become a warrior
Caspar Griffiths portrays a young Aethelstan (recurring series 4)
Patrick Robinson as Father Benedict (series 5), a travelling priest from Rome with heavy gambling debts
Phia Saban as Lady Aelfwynn (series 5), Aethelred and Aethelflaed's daughter and the heir to Mercia
Annamária Bitó (guest series 3) and Helena Albright (recurring series 4) portray a young Aelfwynn
Micki Stoltt as Rǫgnvaldr (series 5), Sigtryggr's sly brother who was believed to have died at sea
Harry Anton as Bresal (series 5), a skilled mercenary and spy sworn to Aethelhelm
Sonya Cassidy (series 5) and Elaine Cassidy (Seven Kings Must Die) as Lady Eadgifu, a noblewoman from Cent who attracts Edward's affection
Ryan Quarmby as Cynlaef (series 5), a young Saxon warrior and close friend of Aethelstan and Aelfwynn
Jaakko Ohtonen as Wolland (series 5), Sigtryggr and Stiorra's second-in-command
Rod Hallett as King Constantin (series 5; Seven Kings Must Die), the King of Alba who raids the Northumbrian lands on his borders
Ewan Horrocks as Prince Aelfweard (series 5; Seven Kings Must Die), Edward and Aelflaed's son and the disputed heir to the throne of England
Marcell Zsolt Halmy portrays a young Aelfweard (recurring series 4)
Ossian Perret as Wihtgar (series 5; guest series 4), Aelfric's son and Uhtred's cousin who returns to England after having been banished for many years, seeking Bebbanburg for himself
Bamshad Abedi-Amin as Yahya (series 5), Wihtgar's second-in-command who he met whilst travelling the known world
Ross Anderson as Prince Domnal (series 5; Seven Kings Must Die), the nephew of Constantin and the heir to the throne of Alba
Introduced in Seven Kings Must Die
Laurie Davidson as Ingilmundr (Seven Kings Must Die), Aethelstan's closest advisor and a Dane who was converted to Christ
Ilona Chevakova as Ingrith (Seven Kings Must Die; recurring series 5), Finan's wife who claims to experience prophetic visions
Jacob Dudman as Osbert (Seven Kings Must Die), Uhtred's youngest child and the heir to Bebbanburg who reunited with his father after spending many years in hiding
Olly Rhodes portrays a young Osbert (guest series 5)
Supporting
Introduced in Series 1
Henning Valin Jakobsen as Storri the Sorcerer
Rutger Hauer as Ravn
Peter Gantzler as Earl Ragnar
Jason Flemyng as King Edmund
Alec Newman as King Aethelred
Lorcan Cranitch as Father Selbix
Victor McGuire as Oswald
Sean Gilder as Wulfhere
Nicholas Rowe as Brother Asser
Jonas Malmsjö as Skorpa of the White Horse
Paul Ritter as King Peredur
Introduced in Series 2
Erik Madsen as Fiske
Ingar Helge Gimle as Gelgill
Marc Rissmann as Tekil
Richard Rankin as Father Hrothweard
Tibor Milos Krisko as Rypere
Magnus Samuelsson as Clapa
Christopher Sciueref as Jonis
Jóhannes Haukur as Sverri
Anthony Cozens as Aidan
Henrik Lundström as Rollo
Oengus MacNamara as Bjorn
Introduced in Series 3
Ed Birch as Sigebriht
Julia Brown as Ecgwynn
Ian Conningham as Offa
Tygo Gernandt as Jackdaw
Jon Furlong as Brother Godwin
Debbie Chazen as Sable
Anton Saunders as Godric
Ciáran Owens as Tidman
Daniel Tuite as Brother Hubert
Bernard Cornwell as Beornheard
Lee Boardman as Guthlac
Introduced in Series 4
Máté Haumann as Cenric
Gabriel Harland as Cnut's Son
Tristan Harland as Esgar
Kirill Bánfalvi as Burgred's Son
Richard Heap as Brother Oswi
Nicholas Asbury as Brother Iestyn
Oscar Skagerberg as Bjorgulf
Antal Leisen as Creoda
Kimberley Wintle as Taetan
Introduced in Series 5
Emili Akhchina as Vibeke
Klara Tolnai as Sidgeflaed
Lara Steward as Hella
Kathy Peacock as Aalys
Introduced in Seven Kings Must Die
Pekka Strang as King Anlaf
Ingrid García-Jonsson as Brand
Agnes Born as Astrid
Zak Sutcliffe as Prince Edmund
Steph Bramwell as Lady Wassa
Tom Christian as Dunstan
John Buick as King Owain
Nick Wittman as Eamon
Episodes
Production
Development
The series started shooting in November 2014. It was produced by Carnival Films for BBC Two and BBC America. Nick Murphy (Prey, Occupation) served as co-executive producer and directed multiple episodes. For portrayals of the Vikings at sea, the Viking ship replica Havhingsten fra Glendalough was used. The series was filmed primarily in Hungary, with most scenes at the eight acres near Budapest owned by Korda Studios with its Medieval Village Set and surrounding mountains, forests and lakes.
Filming for the second series began in Budapest in June 2016. Richard Rankin, Gerard Kearns, Thure Lindhardt, Millie Brady, Erik Madsen, and Peter McDonald joined the cast. In August 2016, Aftonbladet reported that Swedish actors Björn Bengtsson and Magnus Samuelsson would join the main cast. Also that month, it was reported that Stephen Butchard would return as the sole script writer and that Netflix had signed on as an international co-production partner for the second series.
In April 2018, Netflix confirmed that a third series was in production, based on the books The Lords of the North and Sword Song, which would air exclusively on the streaming service, and Bernard Cornwell indicated that he had been offered a cameo appearance. Swedish actor Ola Rapace joined the cast for series 3, as Jarl Harald Bloodhair. Swedish director Erik Leijonborg was behind the camera for series 3; he has collaborated with Rapace on several Swedish TV series.
On 26 December 2018, the series was renewed for a fourth series by Netflix. On 7 July 2020, the series was renewed for a fifth series by Netflix. On 30 April 2021, it was announced that the series would conclude with the fifth series. Filming for season 5 wrapped in June 2021.
The final season was followed by a feature-length film titled Seven Kings Must Die, which completed filming on 19 March 2022. It premiered on Netflix on 14 April 2023.
Historical background
The main events of the reign of Alfred the Great and his heirs are well recorded, and a number of men called Uhtred ruled from Bamburgh Castle, most notably Uhtred the Bold more than a century later. The people identified as "Danes" came from many places in and around Denmark, including Southern Sweden and Norway. Historians believe that the Danish invaders of Northumbria came from Jutland in Denmark, as mentioned in Cornwell's books, as well as some of the Danish islands and East Denmark (southern Sweden).
Locations referenced
Release
The first series of eight episodes premiered on 10 October 2015 in the United States on BBC America, and was broadcast shortly after in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 22 October 2015. It became available online in the United States via Netflix on 6 July 2016. It was added to Netflix on 28 December 2015 in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. The first series was broadcast in the Spanish region of Catalonia on TV3 on 24 July 2017.
The second and third series were released on Netflix in the US, Canada, Denmark, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Japan, Australia, and Portugal.
Netflix was the sole distributor of the third series of ten episodes, produced by Carnival Films. On 26 December 2018, Netflix renewed the show for a fourth series, released on 26 April 2020 and once again produced by Carnival Films. It was renewed for a fifth and final season on 7 July 2020. On 9 February 2022, it was announced that the fifth season would be released on 9 March 2022.
Reception
The series has been met with a positive critical response, with praise for its cast performances, cinematography, writing, directing, and action sequences. On Rotten Tomatoes, series one holds an 87% approval rating based on reviews from 31 critics, with an average of 7.61/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "The Last Kingdom fuses beautiful cinematography and magnificent action sequences to create highly gratifying historical drama". On Metacritic, series 1 has a score of 78/100 based on 15 reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the second series received an 86% approval rating based on 7 reviews, with an average rating of 6/10, while the third series received a 100% approval rating based on 7 reviews, with an average rating of 9/10.
Sam Wollaston reviewed the first episode in The Guardian and warned, "It's wise not to get too attached to anyone in The Last Kingdom". Charlotte Runcie gave the opening episode four out of five in The Daily Telegraph, writing that the series had "satisfyingly high production values, a bloodthirsty appetite for violence and a proper cliffhanger." Wollaston and Runcie both remarked on the similarities between The Last Kingdom and Game of Thrones. Kari Croop of Common Sense Media also gave the series 4/5 stars, writing: "With high production values, strong writing, and compelling characters, this series rivals some of the best and bloodiest epics on TV". Dennis Perkins of The A.V. Club gave the first season a grade of B+, writing: "BBC America's sprawling, arresting eight-part historical miniseries The Last Kingdom proves that there's room enough on television for more than one Viking invasion."
Sean O'Grady in The Independent found that some of the language gave the series "a satisfyingly earthy quality", but he thought that the plot was "a little convoluted". The television reviewer for Private Eye was more critical, arguing that The Last Kingdom demonstrates how Game of Thrones "haunts the BBC", and that the series was directly derivative of both fantasy series and European dramas such as The Killing and Wallander, yet lacking the features that have made such series successful.
References
External links
The Last Kingdom Official Website
The Last Kingdom at BBC America
The Last Kingdom on Netflix
2015 British television series debuts
2022 British television series endings
2010s British drama television series
2020s British drama television series
Television series set in the 9th century
BBC high definition shows
BBC television dramas
Costume drama television series
Cultural depictions of Alfred the Great
English-language Netflix original programming
Serial drama television series
Television shows based on British novels
Television series set in the Middle Ages
Television shows filmed in Hungary
Television shows set in Europe
Television series set in the Viking Age
Television series by Universal Television