10 best The Last Kingdom characters not named Uhtred

No. 8: Leofric (Adrian Bower)

Leofric most certainly would have placed much higher on this list had he survived the first season (not counting the visions in which he appeared to Uhtred). Alas, he was killed at the Battle of Edington.

Leofric was ostensibly part of the royal guard and a trusted military henchman for King Alfred. When Uhtred first comes to Alfred's court, he is an impetuous, singularly-focused youth. Realizing Uhtred knew the minds of Danes, King Alfred manipulated the youngster into being a tool to be deployed as it suited him.

Unfortunately, Uhtred tended to revolt against the reins of control, so Alfred cuts him loose, to an extent. Alfred commands Leofric to basically be a babysitter to the young warrior, and to try to keep him in line.

Not an easy task, but Leofric came to like and respect the warrior. That doesn't mean he didn't take his charge from the king seriously. Whenever Uhtred caused trouble or wanted to go his own way, Leofric would irreverently call him "arseling" as a way of reminding the young Uhtred that he may be out of line. But over the course of season 1, they become fast friends. Leofric counsels Uhtred on the ways of the Saxon court and how he had to play along to accomplish his goals of regaining Bebbanburg.

At some point, Leofric's duties to his king became subsumed by his into admiration for his charge, even though he was more "arseling" than lord to the older warrior. Regrettably, Leofric's time on the show ended too early, but he left a lasting impression.