The Last Kingdom (TV series)

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 Last Kingdom
Series title over dying flames
GenreHistorical drama
Based onThe Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell
Developed byStephen Butchard
Starringsee below
ComposerJohn Lunn
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series5
No. of episodes46 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersStephen Butchard
Nigel Marchant
Gareth Neame
ProducerBen Murphy
Production locationsHungary, Wales
CinematographyChas Bain
EditorPaul Knight
Running time50–59 minutes
Production companyCarnival Film and Television
Original release
NetworkBBC Two
Release10 October 2015 (2015-10-10) –
4 May 2017 (2017-05-04)
NetworkNetflix
Release19 November 2018 (2018-11-19) –
9 March 2022 (2022-03-09)
Related
Seven Kings Must Die

Premise

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Series One

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Film

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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]

Cast and characters

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Cast table

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Actor Character Series
1 2 3 4 5
Alexander Dreymon Uhtred of Bebbanburg Main
Tobias Santelmann Ragnar the Younger Main
Emily Cox Brida Main
Thomas W. Gabrielsson Guthrum Main
Joseph Millson Aelfric of Bebbanburg Main Main
Rune Temte Ubba Ragnarsson Main
Matthew Macfadyen Ealdorman Uhtred Main
David Dawson King Alfred Main
Adrian Bower Leofric Main Guest
Simon Kunz Odda the Elder Main
Harry McEntire Prince Aethelwold Main
Brian Vernel Odda the Younger Main
Ian Hart Father Beocca Main
Amy Wren Mildrith Main
Charlotte Murphy Queen Iseult Main
Thure Lindhardt King Guthred Main
David Schofield Abbot Eadred Main
Eva Birthistle Hild Guest Main
Gerard Kearns Halig Guest Main
Peri Baumeister Gisela Main
Eliza Butterworth Lady Aelswith Recurring Main
Peter McDonald Brother Trew Main
Mark Rowley Finan Main
Alexandre Willaume Kjartan the Cruel Guest Main
Christoffer Ertvaag [no] Sven the One-Eyed Guest Main
Julia Bache-Wiig [no] Thyra Guest Main
Björn Bengtsson Sigefrid Main
Cavan Clerkin Father Pyrlig Main
Arnas Fedaravicius [de] Sihtric Main
Christian Hillborg [sv] Erik Main
Jeppe Beck Laursen Haesten Main
Toby Regbo Lord Aethelred Main
Millie Brady Lady Aethelflaed Main
James Northcote Aldhelm Main
Ewan Mitchell Osferth Main
Timothy Innes King Edward Main
Thea Sofie Loch Næss Skade Main
Ola Rapace Sigurd Bloodhair Main
Magnus Bruun Cnut Main
Simon Stenspil [da] Dagfinn Recurring Main
Adrian Schiller Ealdorman Aethelhelm Main
Adrian Bouchet Steapa Recurring Main
Kevin Eldon Bishop Erkenwald Main
Jamie Blackley Eardwulf Main
Stefanie Martini Eadith Main
Finn Elliot Uhtred Uhtredson Main
Ruby Hartley Stiorra Main
Amelia Clarkson Aelflaed Recurring Main
Richard Dillane Ealdorman Ludeca Main
Dorian Lough Ealdorman Burgred Main
Steffan Rhodri King Hywel Dda Main
Nigel Lindsay Prince Rhodri Main
Eysteinn Sigurðarson Sigtryggr Main
Harry Gilby Aethelstan Main
Patrick Robinson Father Benedict Main
Phia Saban Lady Aelfwynn Main
Micki Stoltt Rǫgnvaldr Main
Harry Anton Bresal Main
Sonya Cassidy Lady Eadgifu Main
Ryan Quarmby Cynlaef Main
Jaakko Ohtonen Wolland Main
Rod Hallett King Constantin Main
Ewan Horrocks Prince Aelfweard Main
Ossian Perret Wihtgar Guest Main
Bamshad Abedi-Amin Yahya Main
Ross Anderson Prince Domnal Main

Main

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Introduced in Series 1

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Alexander Dreymon (Uhtred of Bebbanburg)
David Dawson (King Alfred)

Introduced in Series 2

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  • 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 [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
  • 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

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  • 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 [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
  • Kevin Eldon as Bishop Erkenwald (series 3), the Bishop of Lunden

Introduced in Series 4

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  • 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 despises 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

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  • 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 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

Introduced in Seven Kings Must Die

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  • 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

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Episodes

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SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
1810 October 2015 (2015-10-10)28 November 2015 (2015-11-28)BBC Two
2816 March 2017 (2017-03-16)4 May 2017 (2017-05-04)
31019 November 2018 (2018-11-19)Netflix
41026 April 2020 (2020-04-26)
5109 March 2022 (2022-03-09)

Production

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Development

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The series started shooting in November 2014.[3][4] 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.[5] For portrayals of the Vikings at sea, the Viking ship replica Havhingsten fra Glendalough was used.[citation needed] The series was filmed primarily in Hungary,[6] with most scenes at the eight acres near Budapest owned by Korda Studios[7] with its Medieval Village Set and surrounding mountains, forests and lakes.[8]

Filming for the second series began in Budapest in June 2016. Richard Rankin, Gerard Kearns,[9] Thure Lindhardt, Millie Brady, Erik Madsen,[10] and Peter McDonald joined the cast.[11] In August 2016, Aftonbladet reported that Swedish actors Björn Bengtsson[12] and Magnus Samuelsson[13] 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.[14][15][16]

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

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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

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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

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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]

References

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  1. ^ Goldbart, Max (24 October 2021). "Netflix's 'The Last Kingdom' Feature In The Works, 'Seven Kings Must Die' Filming To Begin Next Year". Deadline. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ "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". BBC Media Centre. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Persbrandt tvingas tacka nej till storroll" [Persbrandt forced to turn down big role]. Aftonbladet (in Swedish). 11 November 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  5. ^ "BBC Two announces new drama series, The Last Kingdom". BBC Media Centre. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  6. ^ Debnath, Neela (4 April 2018). "The Last Kingdom season 3 location: Where is The Last Kingdom filmed? Where is it set?". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Where is The Last Kingdom filmed?". Radio Times. 4 May 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  8. ^ "BBC's Game of Thrones competitor, The Last Kingdom, filmed in the UK and Hungary". Radio Times. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  9. ^ "Gerard Kearns – United Agents". www.unitedagents.co.uk.
  10. ^ "Erik Madsen – United Agents". www.unitedagents.co.uk.
  11. ^ "The Last Kingdom begins shooting series two with Richard Rankin joining the cast". digitalspy.com. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  12. ^ "Svensken får ny stor roll i vikingaserien". 13 July 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  13. ^ "This just in: Magnus Samuelsson klar för "The last kingdom" – Nöjesbladets TV-koll". 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  14. ^ "Netflix to co-produce season two of the last kingdom". worldscreen.com. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  15. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (9 June 2016). "Netflix Joins 'The Last Kingdom' As Co-Producer of Historical Epic's Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  16. ^ "The Last Kingdom". Facebook.
  17. ^ Debnath, Neela (16 March 2017). "The Last Kingdom: Alexander Dreymon reveals 'horrible experience' on set during filming". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  18. ^ Debniath, Neela (26 October 2018). "The Last Kingdom season 3 Netflix release date, cast, plot, trailer". Daily Express. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  19. ^ Debnath, Neela (25 September 2018). "The Last Kingdom season 3 cast: Who is playing Bloodhair? Who is Ola Rapace?". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  20. ^ "Ola Rapace får stor skurkroll i Netflix-serien "The Last Kingdom"". MovieZine. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  21. ^ "Curtis Brown". www.curtisbrown.co.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  22. ^ "'The Last Kingdom' Season 4: Uhtred Calls His Troops To Begin Work". IB Times. 26 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  23. ^ "The Last Kingdom Season 4 New Cast, Plot, Release Date and Exciting Expectations". 7 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  24. ^ a b Kanter, Jake (7 July 2020). "'The Last Kingdom renewed for season 5 at Netflix". Netflix Junkie. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  25. ^ a b Ausiello, Michael (30 April 2021). "The Last Kingdom to End With Season 5". TV Line.
  26. ^ "The Last Kingdom Season 5: Netflix Release Date & Everything We Know So Far". What's on Netflix. 17 September 2021.
  27. ^ Goldbart, Max (24 October 2021). "Netflix's 'The Last Kingdom' Feature In The Works, 'Seven Kings Must Die' Filming To Begin Next Year". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  28. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (29 March 2022). "'The Last Kingdom' Producers Reflect on 'An End of an Era' as Netflix Series Wraps". Variery. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  29. ^ @TheLastKingdom (19 March 2022). "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" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Otterson, Joe (13 February 2023). "'Last Kingdom' Film 'Seven Kings Must Die' Sets Netflix Premiere Date, Drops First Look Images". Variety. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  31. ^ Hughes, David (23 November 2018). "The Last Kingdom: how historically accurate is the Netflix show and was Uhtred real?". inews.co.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  32. ^ Hunt, William. "Uhtred (d.1016)" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 58. pp. 16–17.
  33. ^ ‘Hiberno-Norwegians’ and ‘Anglo-Danes’: anachronistic ethnicities and Viking-Age England[1]
  34. ^ Bibel, Sara (21 July 2015). "Drama 'The Last Kingdom' to Premiere Saturday, October 10 on BBC America". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  35. ^ Brown, Maggie (17 October 2015). "Bernard Cornwell: BBC made The Last Kingdom due to its 'interesting echoes of today'". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  36. ^ "The Last Kingdom". Netflix. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  37. ^ "Is The Last Kingdom on Netflix Canada?". netflixable.com. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  38. ^ "The Last Kingdom / Season 1 – Netflix Canada". instantwatcher.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  39. ^ "TV3 presenta "The Last Kingdom"". ccma.cat. 7 July 2017.
  40. ^ "'The Last Kingdom' Season 2 Release Date Rumors: Uhtred to Lead the Saxon Forces, Reclaim His Fate'". The Christian Post. 5 March 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  41. ^ "'The Last Kingdom season 3 Netflix release date, cast, plot, trailer'". The Daily Express. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  42. ^ "'The Last Kingdom' Season 5 Trailer Reveals One Final Battle for Glory". Collider. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  43. ^ The Last Kingdom at Rotten Tomatoes
  44. ^ The Last Kingdom at Metacritic  
  45. ^ The Last Kingdom: Season 2 at Rotten Tomatoes
  46. ^ The Last Kingdom: Season 3 at Rotten Tomatoes
  47. ^ a b Wollaston, Sam (23 October 2015). "The Last Kingdom review: The Vikings are here – and it's wise not to get too attached to anyone". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  48. ^ a b Runcie, Charlotte (23 October 2015). "The Last Kingdom, BBC Two, review: 'the thinking person's Game of Thrones'". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  49. ^ Croop, Kari (16 October 2015). "The Last Kingdom - TV Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  50. ^ Perkins, Dennis (9 October 2015). "The epic but human The Last Kingdom proves there's always room for more Vikings". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  51. ^ O'Grady, Sean (22 October 2015). "The Last Kingdom, TV review: This Viking saga is less silly than Game of Thrones – and less exciting, too". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  52. ^ 'Eye TV', The Private Eye 1404, p. 14.
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