All 5 seasons of The Last Kingdom (and the movie), ranked worst to best
Third place: The Last Kingdom season 1
The half-Saxon, half-Dane warrior named Uhtred of Bebbanburg holds the fate of England in his hands.
TV shows often struggle with beginnings. Generally the writers have to spend a lot of time introducing characters in the premiere episode, and it often takes a full season for the show to find its footing.
By and large, The Last Kingdom did not have those problems. That isn’t to say that Episode 1 wasn’t rough around the edges — it was — but the show’s big heart was on full display. The themes come into focus quickly: the plight of the half-Saxon/half-Dane hero in a land split between Saxon and Dane and their respective religions.
As a young boy and heir to the Saxon fortress of Bebbanburg, Uhtred survives a Danish invasion and ends up being raised by the conquering Danes, becoming a brother to Brida and Ragnar. Years later, Kjartan murders Uhtred’s adoptive family and Uhtred and Brida escape to Wessex. Uhtred meets the earnest but flawed King Alfred, who dreams of a united England.
The Last Kingdom season 1 introduces lots of great characters. Along with Uhtred, Ragnar, Brida and King Alfred, we meet Uhtred’s buddy Leofric, Dane enemies in the forms of Ubba and the brainy Guthram, the sultry Cornish enchantress Iseult and the loyal lieutenant Odda. It’s a pretty standard cast of eighth century characters, but they pop.
Uhtred falls in love with Iseult who performs a spell to save King Alfred’s son while they’re hiding in the marshes of Athelney after being driven from Winchester by an invading Dane army. As the final battle approaches, Alfred needs Uhtred’s help to ally the bickering Saxon states against the Viking horde. With his loyalties constantly tested (as will prove the case in every season ahead), Uhtred must choose sides when the final battle at Edington arrives.
Season 1 of The Last Kingdom is a winner; it’s fun, Dreymon (Uhtred) is very charismatic, and the story is strong. The pacing is quick and rarely flags.
