The Last Kingdom is a British historical drama television series created and developed for television by Stephen Butchard, based on The Saxon Stories series of novels by Bernard Cornwell. The series premiered on 10 October 2015 on BBC Two. After co-producing the second series, Netflix acquired the series in 2018. The series concluded on 9 March 2022 after five series 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.
The eight-episode first series premiered on BBC Two on 10 October 2015 and concluded on 28 November 2015.
Series Two
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
The third series adapts Cornwell's fifth and sixth novels The Burning Land and Death of Kings, although there are significant plot changes from the novels compared to the previous two series. The series covers the years 892–902 and deals with the end of King Alfred's reign while 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.
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.[1] The film covers the year 937 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.[2]
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 [no] 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 Fedaravicius [de] as Sihtric (series 2–5; Seven Kings Must Die), Kjartan's bastard son who becomes one of Uhtred's most trusted allies
Christian Hillborg [sv] 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
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 [da] 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
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
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 whom he met while 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
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)
In April 2018, Netflix confirmed that a third series was in production, based on the books The Lords of the North and Sword Song,[17] which would air exclusively on the streaming service, and Bernard Cornwell indicated that he had been offered a cameo appearance.[18] Swedish actor Ola Rapace joined the cast for series 3, as Jarl Harald Bloodhair.[19][20] Swedish director Erik Leijonborg was behind the camera for series 3; he has collaborated with Rapace on several Swedish TV series.[21]
On 26 December 2018, the series was renewed for a fourth series by Netflix.[22][23] On 7 July 2020, the series was renewed for a fifth series by Netflix.[24] On 30 April 2021, it was announced that the series would conclude with the fifth series.[25] Filming for series 5 wrapped in June 2021.[26]
The final series was followed by a feature-length film titled Seven Kings Must Die, which completed filming on 19 March 2022.[27][28][29] It premiered on Netflix on 14 April 2023.[30]
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,[31] most notably Uhtred the Bold more than a century later.[32] 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 (present-day southern Sweden).[33]
Release
The first series of eight episodes premiered on 10 October 2015 in the United States on BBC America,[34] and was broadcast shortly after in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 22 October 2015.[35] It became available online in the United States via Netflix on 6 July 2016.[36] It was added to Netflix on 28 December 2015 in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.[37][38] The first series was broadcast in the Spanish region of Catalonia on TV3 on 24 July 2017.[39]
The second and third series were released on Netflix in the US, Canada, Denmark, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Japan, Australia, and Portugal.[40][41]
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 series on 7 July 2020.[24][25] On 9 February 2022, it was announced that the fifth series would be released on 9 March 2022.[42]
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".[43] On Metacritic, series 1 has a score of 78/100 based on 15 reviews.[44] 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.[45][46]
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".[47] 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."[48] Wollaston and Runcie both remarked on the similarities between The Last Kingdom and Game of Thrones.[47][48] 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".[49] Dennis Perkins of The A.V. Club gave the first series 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."[50]
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".[51] 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.[52]
^Bazalgette, Edward (14 April 2023), The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (Action, Drama, History), Mark Rowley, Pekka Strang, Zoltan Andrasi, Carnival Film & Television, retrieved 28 September 2023
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