The Last Kingdom
The Last Kingdom
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The Last Kingdom

"England is born"

8.3
Yr 2015
Rt 60m
Status Ended
Action & Adventure Drama War & Politics
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

A show of heroic deeds and epic battles with a thematic depth that embraces politics, religion, warfare, courage, love, loyalty and our universal search for identity. Combining real historical figures and events with fictional characters, it is the story of how a people combined their strength under one of the most iconic kings of history in order to reclaim their land for themselves and build a place they call home.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 82 /100

The Last Kingdom is widely regarded as an engaging, gritty, and ambitious historical drama that effectively balances epic conflict with intimate character development. Critics praise the series for its exploration of identity and cultural tension, noting that its exploration of religious and political divides sets it apart as a substantial narrative rather than a mere genre exercise.

While the show is noted for its brutal violence and bloody battles, reviewers emphasize that it successfully avoids being pigeonholed as a lesser alternative to other fantasy dramas. Uhtred is frequently cited as a compelling, tough-minded protagonist, and the series as a whole is often described as an underrated but highly rewarding watch that maintained its quality throughout its run.

“This is not a smaller-scale, less sexy, British Game of Thrones – it’s proper historical drama, and it’s a ton of fun.”

“This is the perfect time to jump in and experience one of the best TV and most underrated shows of the past decade.”

“Last Kingdom is imaginative and amusing, and Uhtred makes for a smart, tough, randy central character.”

“A weighty drama with serious themes that's punctuated by bloody battles and other violent visuals.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix
US • UK
Netflix Standard with Ads
US • UK
Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 15
Longest run 46 eps
Alexander Dreymon
Alexander Dreymon
as Uhtred of Bebbanburg
46 episodes
Emily Cox
Emily Cox
as Brida
34 episodes
David Dawson
David Dawson
as Alfred
25 episodes
Eliza Butterworth
Eliza Butterworth
as Aelswith
45 episodes
Thomas W. Gabrielsson
Thomas W. Gabrielsson
as Guthrum
6 episodes
Mark Rowley
Mark Rowley
as Finan
36 episodes
Ruby Hartley
Ruby Hartley
as Stiorra
16 episodes
Harry McEntire
Harry McEntire
as Aethelwold
24 episodes
Show 67 more
James Northcote as Aldhelm 34 episodes Arnas Fedaravičius as Sihtric 38 episodes Christian Hillborg as Erik 8 episodes Harry Gilby as Aethelstan 10 episodes Björn Bengtsson as Sigefrid 8 episodes Timothy Innes as King Edward 30 episodes Stefanie Martini as Eadith 20 episodes Phia Saban as Aelfwynn 10 episodes Ian Hart as Beocca 28 episodes Eva Birthistle as Hild 17 episodes Simon Kunz as Odda 21 episodes Peri Baumeister as Gisela 9 episodes Millie Brady as Aethelflaed 31 episodes Ewan Mitchell as Osferth 28 episodes Adrian Schiller as Aethelhelm 25 episodes Jaakko Ohtonen as Wolland 10 episodes Adrian Bouchet as Steapa 21 episodes Cavan Clerkin as Pyrlig 30 episodes Andrew Lukacs 9 episodes Henning Valin Jakobsen as Storri the Sorceror 13 episodes Jeppe Beck Laursen as Haesten 23 episodes Magnus Bruun as Cnut 12 episodes Thea Sofie Loch Næss as Skade 8 episodes Ossian Perret as Wihtgar 7 episodes Finn Elliot as Young Uhtred 16 episodes Joseph Millson as Aelfric 7 episodes Anthony Cozens as Aidan 4 episodes Tygo Gernandt as Jackdaw 8 episodes Debbie Chazen as Sable 6 episodes Sean Gilder as Wulfhere 4 episodes Gerard Kearns as Halig 5 episodes Tristan Harland as Esgar 4 episodes Gabriel Harland as Young Cnut 4 episodes Ewan Horrocks as Aelfweard 8 episodes Amy Wren as Mildrith 5 episodes Erik Madsen as Fiske 4 episodes Steffan Rhodri as King Hywel 4 episodes Nigel Lindsay as Rhodri 4 episodes Rune Temte as Ubba 4 episodes Thure Lindhardt as Guthred 4 episodes Alexandre Willaume as Kjartan 4 episodes Ole Christoffer Ertvaag as Sven 5 episodes Ross Anderson as Domnal 5 episodes Rod Hallett as Constantin 5 episodes Marcell Zsolt Halmy as Aelfweard 5 episodes Ryan Quarmby as Cynlaef 5 episodes Ed Birch as Sigebriht 6 episodes Máté Haumann as Cenric 6 episodes Dorian Lough as Burgred 6 episodes Klára Tolnai as Sihtric's Wife 7 episodes Simon Stenspil as Dagfinn 7 episodes Patrick Robinson as Father Benedict 7 episodes Harry Anton as Bresal 7 episodes Caspar Griffiths as Aethelstan 7 episodes Magnus Samuelsson as Clapa 7 episodes Ola Rapace as Bloodhair 7 episodes Brian Vernel as Odda the Younger 7 episodes Kevin Eldon as Bishop Erkenwald 8 episodes Sonya Cassidy as Eadgifu 8 episodes Jamie Blackley as Eardwulf 8 episodes Micki Stoltt as Rognvaldr 8 episodes Adrian Bower as Leofric 10 episodes Eysteinn Sigurðsson as Sigtryggr 10 episodes Tobias Santelmann as Ragnar 12 episodes Julia Bache-Wiig as Thyra 13 episodes Amelia Clarkson as Aelflaed 17 episodes Toby Regbo as Aethelred 21 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Director
Alexander Dreymon Nick Murphy Jon East Sarah O'Gorman Peter Hoar Andy Hay Anthony Byrne
Casting Director
Kelly Valentine Hendry
Visual Effects Editor
Lauren Mullally
Production Design
Martyn John
Director of Photography
Ashley Rowe Sergio Delgado Tim Palmer Richie Donnelly Mike Spragg
Co-Executive Producer
David O'Donoghue
Editor
Adam Green Paul Knight Mike Phillips
Makeup Designer
Kate Benton
First Assistant Director
Charlie Endean
Costume Designer
Ros Little Howard Burden Molly Emma Rowe
Script Supervisor
Claire Elizabeth Alberie Connie Fyans
Assistant Costume Designer
Steve Paciello
Art Department Coordinator
Timea Antal
Camera Operator
Oliver Loncraine
Executive Producer
Gareth Neame
Signal Match

Similarity

Where The Last Kingdom overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

based on novel or book vikings (norsemen) royalty historical fiction king historical historical drama costume drama saxons northumbria 9th century dark gritty period piece sword and sandal action adventure violent middle ages
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
October 10, 2015
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
60 minutes
Origin
GB
TMDB Votes
1,992