The fifth and final season of The Last Kingdom dropped on Netflix earlier this year, bringing to an end Uhtred’s long quest to reclaim his home of Bebbanburg (although it’s not the end of his story, more on that later). Actor Alexander Dreymon as played Uhtred since the very beginning, although season 5 was the first time he sat in the director’s chair, for the second episode of the season. And apparently he did a splendid job, if his costars are to be believed.
For instance, listen to Timothy Innes (King Edward) enthuse about Dreymon’s direction on The Screen Chronicles podcast. “He was a dream, of course,” Innes said of Dreymon. “In fact, I was on his first day directing, and it was like he had been directing for the last, like… he had been directing forever.”
"You know, what was a blessing with Alex is that, not only does he know the show inside and out and the characters, but he also knows how to talk to actors. In a way where he knows how to give notes, he knows how to approach being delicate with, I think, a unique situation where you’re wanting to give notes to actors but not damage the environment of vulnerability."
The Last Kingdom stars very impressed with Alexander Dreymon’s directing debut
In Dreymon’s episode, Brida takes control of Eoferwic and tortures the Dane Sigtryggr, who is married to Uhtred’s daughter Stiorra. Eysteinn Sigurðarson, who plays Sigtryggr, also had wonderful things to say about Dreymon during his own episode of The Screen Chronicles podcast.
“Alexander Dreymon… genius,” Sigurðarson enthused. “This is his directing debut! I know you’ve heard all about him and his kindness, and his responsibility as the number one on the call sheet, as we always call it. To do that for years and years, to set the tone, set the bar for everyone. Respect, hard work, fun times.”
"But also, for him to show up for his directorial debut and for, like, every single frame that you see in episode two he had references. He had done his homework. For every single character, every single line, he’s got ideas. And then also, having a personal relationship with all the actors, was able to sometimes step back and let you do what you wanted to do."
Uhtred and King Edward will both return for the upcoming Last Kingdom movie, Seven Kings Must Die. Dreymon didn’t direct that one, but it’s cool for him to have that feather in his cap for whatever he does next.
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h/t Express