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TV audiences craving the medieval aesthetic of “Game of Thrones,” the brutal battles of “Vikings,” and the intriguing character dynamics of both should look no further than Netflix’s “The Last Kingdom.”
Based on the novels by Bernard Cornwell, “The Last Kingdom” stars Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who strives to reclaim his birthright while being torn between the Saxon ways of his ancestry and the Viking customs under which he was raised. After the series aired its first season on BBC Two in 2015, Netflix co-produced Season 2 and later took over “The Last Kingdom” entirely from Seasons 3 through 5. Over the course of “The Last Kingdom,” which concluded in 2022, Uhtred meets royalty, commoners, and fellow warriors to aid his cause. The show’s large-scale, heart-pounding sword fights will certainly delight fans of “Game of Thrones” and “Vikings,” and Uhtred’s self-discovery journey in a world full of threats offers compelling emotional stakes.
Amassing positive reviews during each season, “The Last Kingdom” averaged a 91% score among TV critics and a 95% rating from general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. But the show’s ending wasn’t the final bit of story viewers of “The Last Kingdom” would get. Season 5’s cliffhanger paved the way for “The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die,” a roughly two-hour-long film that was released on Netflix in 2023 and completed Uhtred’s conquest.
Uhtred’s arc makes The Last Kingdom worth watching
Aside from the historical setting and action of “The Last Kingdom,” Uhtred’s story arguably remains the series’ main appeal. Feeling caught between two worlds and two identities does wonders for Uhtred’s complexity, as his circumstances influence his relationships with others, such as his Viking childhood friend and eventual love interest Brida (Emily Cox) and the ever-determined King Alfred of Wessex (David Dawson). Uhtred changes from a reckless young warrior to a more mature negotiator and father — an arc that fascinated viewers from beginning to end.
Ahead of “The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die,” Dreymon spoke with Vogue about how he brought Uhtred’s evolution from the pages of Bernard Cornwell’s books to the screen. “It was important to show that mischievousness, especially in his younger years,” Dreymon said. “He’s like the kid at the back of the class who has a slingshot in his pocket. He’s extremely impetuous and impulsive. It was also important to me to portray a character who had vulnerability. Because he does go through all of these incredibly hard tests that life throws at him. If you only see the warrior, it’s really not watchable, especially not for five seasons plus a movie.”
Given that “Game of Thrones” and “Vikings” concluded a number of years ago, it’s time for fans of both shows to discover “The Last Kingdom.”
