All 5 seasons of The Last Kingdom (and the movie), ranked worst to best
Second Place: The Last Kingdom season 2
As the war between Saxon and Dane threatens to engulf all of Britain, Uhtred sets out to avenge his slain family and retake Bebbanburg.
The women who fall in love with Uhtred do not have good luck; At the start of season 2, he’s in mourning over the loss of his beloved Queen Iseult at the end of season 1. The warrior-nun Hild (who fortunately never succumbs to Uhtred’s charms) is able to pull Uhtred out of his funk and set him back on his course to retake his ancestral seat at Bebbanburg.
As usual, Uhtred’s plan to return to Bebbanburg is delayed: he joins Father Beocca on a mission to save “Saint” Guthred from the clutches of the Danes and his old foe Sven One-Eyed. After being rescued from Icelandic slavers by Ragnar and Brida, Uhtred resumes his quest.
The final showdown at Dunholm Keep between Uhtred, Ragnar and their devious uncle Aelfric proves to be one of the most satisfying moments of the show: Ragnar brutally avenges the death of his father while the captive Thyra sets her dogs on Sven. Three years later, Uhtred must act to save Aethelflaed, who has been captured by a Dane army led by Erik and Seigfried. Aethelflaed ends up connecting with Erik, but both brothers die at the Battle of Beamfleot.
Season 2 contains one of the most heartwrenching and heartwarming sequences from the series as the broken Uhtred recovers from his stint as a slave by the kindness and resilience of the nun Hild. Uhtred had rescued Hild and now she has saved him, and they will remain close friends throughout the course of the show. The only downside is that Hild’s character is further and further sidelined as the show continues.
The Last Kingdom truly comes into its own in season 2. In addition to the heavy drama and tightly-choreographed action, season 2 introduces characters who will become dear to viewers in time, including Finan, Sihtric, Osferth and the warrior-priest Father Pyrlig. It’s The Last Kingdom at its best.