The Last Kingdom just wrapped up its fifth and final season on Netflix, and it was a worthy ending to the excellent medieval drama.
But fans of Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories may be scratching their heads a bit. Cornwell wrote 13 novels about Uhtred of Bebbanburg, but as of the end of season 5 The Last Kingdom has only adapted 10. What about the other three?
Well, The Last Kingdom producer Nigel Marchant struck a compromise, as he explained to Radio Times. “In terms of season 5, we felt these two central strands of the story were coming together and it was the natural point to finish the TV series. Over the five seasons there was a very definite beginning, middle and end, so it was a group decision that we came to,” he said.
"However, we did know there were a few more books (not to spoil anything!) following on from where we get to at the end of season 5. So we did start to talk to Netflix fairly early about whether we could tell that end piece of the jigsaw so that it would feel complete."
That final piece of the jigsaw is Seven Kings Must Die, a Last Kingdom movie that will once again have Alexander Dreymon back in the lead role as Uhtred, although we don’t know which other cast members will be a part of things. “And it was felt that the movie version was the right format to do that,” Marchant continued. “Season 5 does feel like the end of the TV series, and the movie will be much more standalone. It’ll be an extra treat for the fans of the TV series, but you could also watch it even if you’ve never seen the TV show.”
The Last Kingdom has a proper ending, but there’s more story to tell
If you watched the final season, you know that the ending really does feel like…well, an ending. We won’t spoil things, but a major storyline that had been developing since literally the first episode is finally brought to completion.
That said, there is more story to tell and I’m glad that Marchant and company are dedicated to telling it, even if I wonder how they’re going to cram three novels into one movie. I’m guessing there will be some generous trimming involved.
There’s no release date for Seven Kings Must Die as of right now, but the movie is in production.
To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.
Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels