The Last Kingdom (TV series) explained

Image Alt:Series title over dying flames
Genre:Historical drama
Based On:The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell
Developer:Stephen Butchard
Starring:see below
Composer:John Lunn
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Series:5
Num Episodes:46
List Episodes:List of The Last Kingdom episodes
Executive Producer:Stephen Butchard
Nigel Marchant
Gareth Neame
Producer:Ben Murphy
Location:Hungary, Wales
Cinematography:Chas Bain
Editor:Paul Knight
Runtime:50–59 minutes
Company:Carnival Film and Television
Network:BBC Two
Network2:Netflix
Related:Seven Kings Must Die

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.

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

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.

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.[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.

Cast and characters

Cast table

ActorCharacterSeries
12345
colspan="5"
Ragnar the Younger colspan="3" colspan="2"
Brida colspan="5"
colspan="4"
Aelfric of Bebbanburg colspan="2"
colspan="4"
Ealdorman Uhtred colspan="4"
colspan="3" colspan="2"
Leofric colspan="2"
colspan="2" colspan="3"
colspan="3" colspan="2"
Odda the Younger colspan="4"
Father Beocca colspan="4"
Mildrith colspan="4"
colspan="4"
colspan="3"
colspan="3"
Hild colspan="4"
Halig colspan="3"
Gisela colspan="2" colspan="2"
colspan="4"
Brother Trew colspan="3"
Finan colspan="4"
Kjartan the Cruel colspan="3"
Sven the One-Eyed colspan="3"
Thyra colspan="2" colspan="2"
Sigefrid colspan="3"
Father Pyrlig colspan="4"
Sihtric colspan="4"
Erik colspan="3"
colspan="4"
colspan="3"
colspan="4"
Aldhelm colspan="4"
colspan="4"
colspan="2" colspan="3"
Skade colspan="2" colspan="2"
Sigurd Bloodhair colspan="2" colspan="2"
colspan="2" colspan="2"
Dagfinn colspan="2"
Ealdorman Aethelhelmcolspan="2" colspan="3"
Steapa colspan="2"
Bishop Erkenwald colspan="2" colspan="2"
Eardwulf colspan="3"
Eadith colspan="3" colspan="2"
Finn Elliot Uhtred Uhtredson colspan="3" colspan="2"
Ruby HartleyStiorra colspan="3" colspan="2"
colspan="2" colspan="2"
Ealdorman Ludeca colspan="3"
Ealdorman Burgred colspan="3" colspan="2"
colspan="3"
Prince Rhodri colspan="3"
colspan="3" colspan="2"
colspan="4"
Father Benedict colspan="4"
colspan="4"
Micki Stoltt colspan="4"
Harry Anton Bresal colspan="4"
colspan="4"
Ryan Quarmby Cynlaef colspan="4"
Jaakko Ohtonen Wolland colspan="4"
colspan="4"
colspan="4"
Ossian Perret Wihtgar colspan="3"
Bamshad Abedi-Amin Yahya colspan="4"
Ross Anderson Prince Domnal colspan="4"

Main

Introduced in Series 1

Introduced in Series 2

Introduced in Series 3

Introduced in Series 4

Introduced in Series 5

Introduced in Seven Kings Must Die

Supporting

Introduced in Series 1

Introduced in Series 2

Introduced in Series 3

Introduced in Series 4

Introduced in Series 5

Introduced in Seven Kings Must Die

Episodes

See main article: List of ''The Last Kingdom'' episodes.

Production

Development

The series started shooting in November 2014.[2] [3] 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.[4] For portrayals of the Vikings at sea, the Viking ship replica Havhingsten fra Glendalough was used. The series was filmed primarily in Hungary,[5] with most scenes at the eight acres near Budapest owned by Korda Studios[6] with its Medieval Village Set and surrounding mountains, forests and lakes.[7]

Filming for the second series began in Budapest in June 2016. Richard Rankin, Gerard Kearns,[8] Thure Lindhardt, Millie Brady, Erik Madsen,[9] and Peter McDonald joined the cast.[10] In August 2016, Aftonbladet reported that Swedish actors Björn Bengtsson[11] and Magnus Samuelsson[12] 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.[13] [14] [15]

In April 2018, Netflix confirmed that a third series was in production, based on the books The Lords of the North and Sword Song,[16] which would air exclusively on the streaming service, and Bernard Cornwell indicated that he had been offered a cameo appearance.[17] Swedish actor Ola Rapace joined the cast for series 3, as Jarl Harald Bloodhair.[18] [19] Swedish director Erik Leijonborg was behind the camera for series 3; he has collaborated with Rapace on several Swedish TV series.[20]

On 26 December 2018, the series was renewed for a fourth series by Netflix.[21] [22] 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.[23] Filming for series 5 wrapped in June 2021.[24]

The final series was followed by a feature-length film titled Seven Kings Must Die, which completed filming on 19 March 2022.[25] [26] [27] It premiered on Netflix on 14 April 2023.[28]

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,[29] most notably Uhtred the Bold more than a century later.[30] 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).[31]

Release

The first series of eight episodes premiered on 10 October 2015 in the United States on BBC America,[32] and was broadcast shortly after in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 22 October 2015.[33] It became available online in the United States via Netflix on 6 July 2016.[34] It was added to Netflix on 28 December 2015 in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.[35] [36] The first series was broadcast in the Spanish region of Catalonia on TV3 on 24 July 2017.[37]

The second and third series were released on Netflix in the US, Canada, Denmark, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Spain, Japan, Australia, and Portugal.[38] [39]

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.[40] [23] On 9 February 2022, it was announced that the fifth series would be released on 9 March 2022.[41]

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".[42] 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.[43] 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".[44] 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."[45]

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".[46] 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.[47]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Goldbart . Max . 24 October 2021 . Netflix’s ‘The Last Kingdom’ Feature In The Works, ‘Seven Kings Must Die’ Filming To Begin Next Year . 28 September 2023 . Deadline . en-US.
  2. Web site: BBC Two, BBC America and the Golden Globe® and Emmy® award-winning producers of Downton Abbey, Carnival Films, have announced that filming has begun on The Last Kingdom . 24 November 2014 . BBC Media Centre . 15 September 2015.
  3. Web site: Persbrandt tvingas tacka nej till storroll . Persbrandt forced to turn down big role . 11 November 2014 . sv . Aftonbladet . 15 September 2015.
  4. Web site: BBC Two announces new drama series, The Last Kingdom . 9 July 2014 . BBC Media Centre . 15 September 2015.
  5. Web site: The Last Kingdom season 3 location: Where is The Last Kingdom filmed? Where is it set?. Neela. Debnath. 4 April 2018. Express.co.uk. 10 January 2019.
  6. Web site: Where is The Last Kingdom filmed?. Radio Times. 4 May 2017. 30 December 2018 .
  7. Web site: BBC's Game of Thrones competitor, The Last Kingdom, filmed in the UK and Hungary. Radio Times. 22 October 2015. 30 December 2018 .
  8. Web site: Gerard Kearns – United Agents. www.unitedagents.co.uk.
  9. Web site: Erik Madsen – United Agents. www.unitedagents.co.uk.
  10. Web site: The Last Kingdom begins shooting series two with Richard Rankin joining the cast. digitalspy.com. 9 June 2016. 9 June 2016.
  11. Web site: Svensken får ny stor roll i vikingaserien. 13 July 2016 . 14 August 2016.
  12. Web site: This just in: Magnus Samuelsson klar för "The last kingdom" – Nöjesbladets TV-koll. 14 July 2016. 14 August 2016.
  13. Web site: Netflix to co-produce season two of the last kingdom. worldscreen.com. 9 June 2016. 9 June 2016.
  14. Web site: Netflix Joins 'The Last Kingdom' As Co-Producer of Historical Epic's Season 2. Tartaglione. Nancy. Deadline Hollywood. 9 June 2016. en-US. 17 August 2016.
  15. Web site: The Last Kingdom. Facebook.
  16. Web site: The Last Kingdom: Alexander Dreymon reveals 'horrible experience' on set during filming. Neela. Debnath. 16 March 2017. Express.co.uk. 10 January 2019.
  17. Web site: The Last Kingdom season 3 Netflix release date, cast, plot, trailer . Daily Express. 26 October 2018. 2 December 2018 . Debniath . Neela.
  18. Web site: The Last Kingdom season 3 cast: Who is playing Bloodhair? Who is Ola Rapace?. Neela. Debnath. 25 September 2018. Express.co.uk. 10 January 2019.
  19. Web site: Ola Rapace får stor skurkroll i Netflix-serien "The Last Kingdom". MovieZine. 10 January 2019.
  20. Web site: Curtis Brown. www.curtisbrown.co.uk. 10 January 2019.
  21. Web site: 'The Last Kingdom' Season 4: Uhtred Calls His Troops To Begin Work. 26 December 2018. IB Times. en. 22 December 2018.
  22. Web site: The Last Kingdom Season 4 New Cast, Plot, Release Date and Exciting Expectations. 7 January 2020. 8 January 2020. 28 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201128081229/https://honknews.com/the-last-kingdom-season-4-new-cast-plot-release-date-and-exciting-expectations/14771/. dead.
  23. Web site: The Last Kingdom to End With Season 5. Ausiello. Michael. TV Line. 30 April 2021.
  24. Web site: The Last Kingdom Season 5: Netflix Release Date & Everything We Know So Far. What's on Netflix. 17 September 2021.
  25. Web site: Max. Goldbart. 24 October 2021. Netflix's 'The Last Kingdom' Feature In The Works, 'Seven Kings Must Die' Filming To Begin Next Year. Deadline Hollywood. 27 June 2022.
  26. Web site: Christopher. Vourlias. 29 March 2022. 'The Last Kingdom' Producers Reflect on 'An End of an Era' as Netflix Series Wraps. Variery. 27 June 2022.
  27. TheLastKingdom . 1505303082003013634 . That’s a wrap for Seven Kings Must Die and a final series wrap for The Last Kingdom We can’t wait for you all to see it… Fun fact: the total number of shoot days from season 1 to today is 663! #TheLastKingdom . 19 March 2022.
  28. Web site: 'Last Kingdom' Film 'Seven Kings Must Die' Sets Netflix Premiere Date, Drops First Look Images. Variety. Joe. Otterson. 13 February 2023. 13 February 2023.
  29. Web site: The Last Kingdom: how historically accurate is the Netflix show and was Uhtred real?. David. Hughes. 23 November 2018. inews.co.uk. 10 January 2019.
  30. Web site: Uhtred (d.1016). William. Hunt. 58. Wikisource.
  31. ‘Hiberno-Norwegians’ and ‘Anglo-Danes’: anachronistic ethnicities and Viking-Age Englandhttps://www.abdn.ac.uk/staffpages/uploads/cel049/MEdScand.pdf
  32. Web site: Drama 'The Last Kingdom' to Premiere Saturday, October 10 on BBC America . https://web.archive.org/web/20150724180659/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/07/21/drama-the-last-kingdom-to-premiere-saturday-october-10-on-bbc-america/434322/ . dead . 24 July 2015 . Bibel. Sara. . 21 July 2015 . 28 July 2015.
  33. News: Brown. Maggie. Bernard Cornwell: BBC made The Last Kingdom due to its 'interesting echoes of today'. 19 October 2015. The Guardian. 17 October 2015.
  34. Web site: The Last Kingdom. Netflix. 6 July 2016. 16 July 2016.
  35. Web site: Is The Last Kingdom on Netflix Canada?. netflixable.com. 14 August 2016.
  36. Web site: The Last Kingdom / Season 1 – Netflix Canada. instantwatcher.com. 14 August 2016. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180322015209/http://instantwatcher.com/ca/title/80074246. dead.
  37. Web site: TV3 presenta "The Last Kingdom". ccma.cat. 7 July 2017.
  38. Web site: 'The Last Kingdom' Season 2 Release Date Rumors: Uhtred to Lead the Saxon Forces, Reclaim His Fate'. The Christian Post. 5 March 2017 . 7 March 2017.
  39. Web site: 'The Last Kingdom season 3 Netflix release date, cast, plot, trailer'. The Daily Express. 29 October 2018. 1 February 2020.
  40. Web site: Kanter. Jake. 7 July 2020. 'The Last Kingdom renewed for season 5 at Netflix. 7 July 2020. Netflix Junkie. en.
  41. Web site: 'The Last Kingdom' Season 5 Trailer Reveals One Final Battle for Glory. Collider. 9 February 2022. 10 February 2022.
  42. News: Wollaston . Sam . The Last Kingdom review: The Vikings are here – and it's wise not to get too attached to anyone . 23 October 2015. . London. 29 October 2015 .
  43. News: Runcie . Charlotte . The Last Kingdom, BBC Two, review: 'the thinking person's Game of Thrones'. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/11948970/The-Last-Kingdom-BBC-One-review.html . 12 January 2022 . subscription . live. 23 October 2015. . London. 29 October 2015 .
  44. Web site: Croop. Kari. 16 October 2015. The Last Kingdom - TV Review. 20 November 2021. Common Sense Media. en.
  45. Web site: Perkins. Dennis. 9 October 2015. The epic but human The Last Kingdom proves there's always room for more Vikings. 20 November 2021. The A.V. Club. en-us.
  46. News: O'Grady . Sean . The Last Kingdom, TV review: This Viking saga is less silly than Game of Thrones – and less exciting, too. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-last-kingdom-tv-review-this-viking-saga-is-less-silly-than-game-of-thrones-and-less-exciting-too-a6705071.html . 18 June 2022 . subscription . live. 22 October 2015. . London. 29 October 2015 .
  47. 'Eye TV', The Private Eye 1404, p. 14.

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