The Last Kingdom

:

Season 1
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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Critic Reviews

  1. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Oct 9, 2015
    91
    It all meshes together in enthralling fashion with a tale that’s understandable and a setting that’s tailor made for picturesque vistas. Last Kingdom livens up Saturday nights with Emmy caliber storytelling and oft-sumptuous production values.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Dennis Perkins
    Oct 9, 2015
    83
    The show’s many battle scenes play out in bloody, muddy confusion that’s nonetheless rendered with reliable clarity of storytelling, and, while Uhtred’s position as a hero torn between two worlds is central, it’s also not elevated much above the larger context of the story the show tells so consistently well.
  3. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    Oct 9, 2015
    80
    The truthful background of this high-stakes history makes it thrilling on a deeper level. Along with the battle scenes and other entertainments, the series reflects many challenges of today’s world.
  5. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Oct 9, 2015
    80
    The playful chemistry Dreymon and Cox have developed so well remains, adding poignancy to their star-crossed circumstances as the story unfolds.... There is plenty of spectacle in The Last Kingdom, but none quite as spellbinding as Alfred’s quiet intelligence.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Oct 9, 2015
    80
    Don't let the exposition-heavy first episode fool you; this may be a sword 'n' longboat epic with a handsome hero at its heart, but as adapted by Stephen Butchard, it subtly grows more complex with each passing hour until that hero becomes, to a certain extent, a supporting player in the far more dramatic epic of history.
  7. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Oct 8, 2015
    80
    Last Kingdom is imaginative and amusing, and Uhtred makes for a smart, tough, randy central character.
  8. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Tirdad Derakhshani
    Oct 8, 2015
    80
    The Last Kingdom isn't in the same league as that other medievalesque literary adaptation Game of Thrones, nor does it have the epic scope of Vikings. But its breathtaking photography, glorious fight scenes, and fantastical story make it a worthwhile treat for genre fans.
  9. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Oct 7, 2015
    80
    After an hour or two, the series has taken on a life of its own, offering a reminder that there’s always room, at least on a niche basis, for another good one.
  10. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Sep 24, 2015
    80
    This is smart, satisfying entertainment that brings new life to ancient history. [28 Sep - 11 Oct 2015, p.17]
    All this critic's reviews
  11. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ray Rahman
    Oct 5, 2015
    75
    Shifting allegiances and unpredictable motives are what keeps this sometimes hoary show compelling. [9 Oct 2015]
    All this critic's reviews
  12. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Oct 5, 2015
    75
    Writer Stephen Butchard has done a superb job distilling the nuance and complexity of Cornwell’s story, which avoids simplistic good guys vs. bad guys plotting.
  13. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Sep 16, 2015
    75
    The point is, once it gets going, The Last Kingdom is a nicely told and suitably adventurous story of revenge.
  14. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    Oct 9, 2015
    70
    The series has a sprawling cast and high production values, yet it starts off rather generically--bearded men playing with swords, battling over territory.... Hang around until Episode 3, though, and substantive themes begin to take shape that give this series a distinctive personality.
  15. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Keith Uhlich
    Oct 9, 2015
    70
    There’s plenty of testosterone running through The Last Kingdom’s veins, though there is a potentially strong female perspective courtesy of the character of Brida (Emily Cox).... The duo’s rapport nicely offsets the macho bluster that usually defines combat-infatuated shows of this sort.
  16. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Oct 5, 2015
    70
    As "Thrones"-aping series go, The Last Kingdom is a better bet than plenty of others. It's easier to follow than "Bastard Executioner" and less battle-crazy than "Vikings," occupying a gentler middle ground.

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best TV Season of 2015
22
#22 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
18
#18 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 211 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 179 out of 211
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 211
  3. Negative: 12 out of 211
  1. Al5421
    Oct 21, 2015
    10
    I've watched the first two episodes and the series so far is excellent. I think it is one of the most historically accurate (medieval)I've watched the first two episodes and the series so far is excellent. I think it is one of the most historically accurate (medieval) television shows out there ... more so than say 'The Vikings' etc.. I have only read one of Cornwell's novels (from the Sharpe series) so I am not familiar with this work ... but the filming, acting and story are excellent. I think out of all the historical-fiction on television this is one of the best. I am giving 'The Last Kingdom' a 10.… Full Review »
  2. Sedwick
    Jan 15, 2016
    10
    I was so annoyed by the reviews I read here that I made my own account to pitch in to the general public, so that no misconceptions about thisI was so annoyed by the reviews I read here that I made my own account to pitch in to the general public, so that no misconceptions about this show are distributed to you guys.

    First of all, there is a reason why this show is so highly rated elsewhere: 5/5 Netflix, 92% Rotten Tomatoes, 8.6 IMDB. It is because The Last Kingdom is a fantastic show. Just like the recent Marco Polo, Netflix managed to sponsor a real winner in the historical fiction television field. The characters are both likable and follow-able. There is no shiny hero to save the day in this show, only gritty fighting and smart strategies. The consequences of both rash and patient actions can be seen throughout this masterpiece as faith meets faith on and off the battlefield. The romance is not cringey, and you genuinely feel the ups and downs of Uhtred's love life. There is no clear good or bad side to this story. You can see the reasons for both sides and frequently find yourself cheering and hating characters on both sides (I see you Young Odda).

    I don't know the time period enough to comment on this fully, but I will make a few points as to the feeling of the show in general. One of the many things The Last Kingdom did right was the numbers in the armies. Many Hollywood medieval productions show armies of thousands just chillings around as garrisons. Not in this show. You can see the lack of effective manpower clearly in the settings. In the first episode we see a king of Northumberland leaving a garrison of just 30 men to defend his keep, to which he deems "enough to hold the keep". The battles are between hundreds, not thousands. It really helps you see how much more vulnerable a country is to being completely wiped out by one battle when almost all the men in a kingdom are in the same battle. Another point I'd like to make is the equipment we see in the armies of both the Saxons and the Danes. The armies are not fully clad in full plate and equipped with steel long swords and shields which seems to be the norm in medieval cinematography. The armies are equiped with light mail, helmets, rough iron swords, and wooden shields. And that is the most equipped soldiers get. In fact, we can see many soldiers equipped with basic farm equipment in some of the scenes.

    So, what you can gather from this is that The Last Kingdom is a very well thought out show. Now, why does this show only get 7.9 here? It is because 75% of mixed and negative reviews are basing their opinions on its likeness to the books. I don't see this as a fair review and should not be posted on a review site. I don't particularly care whether this series followed the books word for word. What I care about is that I really enjoyed this show from beginning to end. So, before anyone looks at the average review being shown here and dismisses this show, please consider the fact that many didn't watch past the first episode and are not judging it for its actual enjoyment.    … Full Review »
  3. hedop
    Oct 11, 2015
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Wow. So far (Episode 1) this adaptation is really bad. As an avid reader of all the novels I can say that there are already so many small things wrong with the first episode that apart from the names of the characters I fear this tv-show will have nothing in common with the source material first up and most glaringly:
    - Uthred is described as being light blonde -> his TV character has raven black hair

    - Ragnar is described as being light blonde hence why people always assume that he is Uthred's father

    - in the books Ragnar takes a liking to Uthred straight away and is described as a jovial man and lover of people --> in the TV show his counter part is so far rather sour and treats Uthred like a slave.

    - Ubba is described in the books as having a chest like a barrel, a big belly and raven black hair and being fiercely bearded --> the TV show has some tall lanky guy with light blonde hair and a red beard.

    - Ubba has a brother named Ivar who invades the British Isles with him and Ragnar. This person does not exist in the TV show yet.

    - Pater Beocca is described as being young, red haired and crippled -> his TV character is a man easily in his 50's (which at the time of the novels was considered ancient) and apart from that a normal looking priest

    - Ragnars younger son is said to be in Ireland when in the TV show he is apparently hanging around his fathers homestead

    - Ragnar has a son close to Uthred's age in the book called Rorik who is his main companion throughout the whole first book during his childhood

    - Uthred's father takes Uthred with him for the battle in Eoferwick --> in the TV show Uthred somehow escaped on his own, magically finds armor that fits and runs after his father on horseback

    - the main battle is described as taking place close to Eoferwick's city walls which the Danes have apparently lazily repaired, the Saxons take this as a sign of weakness and attack that section of the city in which they are then trapped because behind the bad walls the Danes had places fresh ones. --> in the TV show the battle happens in some kind of field which is completely flat (as Uthred's father points out) yet the Danes are somehow able to disguise half their army and attack the Saxons from the rear.

    - now at this point it is important to note that Bernard Cornwells is famous for the meticulous detail he uses when describing battle scenes and tries to get them as accurately as possible. Usually his research in this area is absolutely on par with a professional historian --> in the TV show the shield wall of the Danes is absolutely wrong, instead of forming a swine head to break the shield wall the Saxons simply storm onto it and bash on it with their swords flailing. These are all details that Cornwell describes very differently in his books because in real life that kind of behaviour would have gotten you killed. Furthermore the Saxons abandon high ground which again, in Cornwells books, would never happen. The Saxons also only need 2 minutes to decide what to do. In the book the process of going about it because there is no true king but 3 equal generals is described at length and in great details. Also in nearly every novel Cornwell takes great pains to explain to have Uthred explain to the reader that breaking a shieldwall and fighting in one is nasty business and requires a lot of mental toughness and takes time to get into Blood Rage. Yet in the TV show the Saxons simply storm onto a ready made shield wall (certain death) within 30 seconds or so.

    - Uthred's youth is spend invading the British Isles with the Danes yet after a cut Uthred is now apparently in his late 20's and still with the Danes althought in the books by then Ragnar has long been dead, Uthred has met Alfred, Brida, escaped the North and joined Alfred's fleet as it's commander and has had several assassination attempts behind him.

    - Uthread has a shaven chest... seriously... the guy who plays Uthred a guy living in 865 A.D. has a shaved chest and a finely cut and shaved goatee even though there were no razors per se about and no mirrors either.

    All in all this first episode has been so disappointing that I doubt I will continue watching it. The novels are so amazing and so great and I was so looking forward to a TV make but I should have expected it after what they did to the Sharpe novels. Why the hell can't they just simply take a well written and beloved novel as it is and don't tinker around and cast someone who actually looks the part? What the hell is so hard about not trying to make something better?

    It's a damn shame... this could have really been a realistic Game of Thrones but it looks like it's going to be the Tudors in 9th Century England.

    Oh btw. everyone talks about England in the tv show even though there was no England at the time and won't be for another 80 years. Furthermore why do all the Danes speak English? That's just weird.    … Full Review »
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