The Last Kingdom

:

Season 1
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
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
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User Reviews

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  1. Marcusmarcusn
    Nov 17, 2015
    5
    Trashy. But reasonably entertaining. The young actor who stars is very good. (It's not about Saxons its all about modern attitudes in old time drag shhhh!) Not really appropriate for kids, but then again neither are most video games.. My impression is that the characters behave like us, not like ancient Saxons, so the show resembles the "Tudors" in that way. I probably wont be a regular viewer.
  2. Knighthawk81
    Oct 12, 2015
    5
    This is clearly the BBC's answer to "Game of Thrones" and/or "Vikings." It's a period epic that traces a time when the English had to ward off the Viking invaders. The pilot was slow and dry, despite a lot of violent interludes. I thought the final segment of the show got better, but I'm still on the fence. To succeed on a Saturday night, you need to be compelling. This doesn't seem thatThis is clearly the BBC's answer to "Game of Thrones" and/or "Vikings." It's a period epic that traces a time when the English had to ward off the Viking invaders. The pilot was slow and dry, despite a lot of violent interludes. I thought the final segment of the show got better, but I'm still on the fence. To succeed on a Saturday night, you need to be compelling. This doesn't seem that compelling.… Expand
  3. thehawk
    Oct 22, 2015
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. After one episode, a fairly average garden variety BBC drama. We've just seen another historical series set in Scotland with high production quality, drama, action, good portrayal of military aspects, picturesque setting, effective utilisation of Britain's great scenery - but a shallow, a-historical plot and a slightly effeminate male lead. The recipe for success existed. So now take Cornwell's strong historical plot and how could you go wrong? But if anything this reminded me of a 1980's BBC historical production. Bung an actor with a modern hairstyle in a woollen outfit as the hero, bring in Brian Blessed to liven it up a bit, and head out into a farmer's back paddock for a bit of filming.
    Not a lot in common with the books. Historical flavour missing. Essential battle scene was fanciful - lightly armed (delusional) Anglo Saxons decide to charge a heavily armed Viking shieldwall - Hollywood stuff. (In comparison, Norman knights with lances couldn't break a shieldwall at Hastings. The continental relatives of the Anglo Saxons were able to give Charlemagne a tough fight.) And they kept the slightly effeminate male lead.    … Expand
  4. yyarin
    Nov 1, 2015
    6
    Well the first 20 minutes of the first episode are absolutely terrible. The story just doesn't make sense and the characters are one sided caricatures. The Vikings: simplistic savages. The Christians: desperate fanatics defending their faith. There is a father-son story in which the father gives him a task but the son is an idiot and doesn't do it right. We have no idea why and obviouslyWell the first 20 minutes of the first episode are absolutely terrible. The story just doesn't make sense and the characters are one sided caricatures. The Vikings: simplistic savages. The Christians: desperate fanatics defending their faith. There is a father-son story in which the father gives him a task but the son is an idiot and doesn't do it right. We have no idea why and obviously everything goes wrong as a result. Once this totally un-engaging story the storyline shifts to the King's other son who is kidnapped by the vikings. It becomes more interesting, but still utterly un-engaging.… Expand
  5. FallenStar
    May 12, 2018
    6
    Let's be fair, this is good and has a couple of enjoyable and nice moments but it's far from being great. I enjoyed some of the acting and props they've had as well as the characters. But there's a lot of shaky cams and compared to other TV shows that are out now it doesn't shine as bright as others may claim it to. It is a bit above mediocre. Watchable and a bit entertaining with a coupleLet's be fair, this is good and has a couple of enjoyable and nice moments but it's far from being great. I enjoyed some of the acting and props they've had as well as the characters. But there's a lot of shaky cams and compared to other TV shows that are out now it doesn't shine as bright as others may claim it to. It is a bit above mediocre. Watchable and a bit entertaining with a couple of nice moments.… Expand
  6. itzCZARman
    Sep 10, 2017
    5
    I really don't get it, what is all the hype about for this show? The story is not that intriguing and the main character Uhtred is sooooo unlikable. The only thing that keeps this from a 4 is the final episode is pretty good and has a satisfying ending. I was so excited hearing how cool and badass Uhtred is, but honestly he doesn't really do anything that spectacular until the finale, andI really don't get it, what is all the hype about for this show? The story is not that intriguing and the main character Uhtred is sooooo unlikable. The only thing that keeps this from a 4 is the final episode is pretty good and has a satisfying ending. I was so excited hearing how cool and badass Uhtred is, but honestly he doesn't really do anything that spectacular until the finale, and by that time I didn't like him at all so it had little effect on me.… Expand
  7. MeritCoba
    Aug 5, 2017
    5
    A poorman's show with the typical unkempt dirty medieval people wearing stuff like skins on their shoulders. There is an interesting video of Lindybeige about this kind of thing. People were not dirty or wore skins on their shoulders. It reminds me of Monty Python. It was parody for them, the parody has become the norm.
    The show would be okay if it were not for the unsympathetic    A poorman's show with the typical unkempt dirty medieval people wearing stuff like skins on their shoulders. There is an interesting video of Lindybeige about this kind of thing. People were not dirty or wore skins on their shoulders. It reminds me of Monty Python. It was parody for them, the parody has become the norm.
    The show would be okay if it were not for the unsympathetic protagonist. He is a selfserving nihilist, a liar, a thief, murderer and what not. I don't care for him, his plight and his motivations. He just wants one thing wealth, which means lands. He became totally repugnant when he killed a man for felling and selling one of his trees. Perhaps the guy stole from him, but just killing him outright made him a total ass.
    Otherwise there is nobody else to root for. King Alfred is too aloof to connect to, being a king even in private. I still like the actor, but why not give him more of a normal personality?
    Some engagement comes from the women, who are actually the more likable and sensible people. Probably that is more historical. :P
    I found few people to like not caring for anyone. Well, perhaps for the Older Odda. He seemed to be a noble sort.
    A remark should be made for the way sex is portrayed in this series. Can it become even more gross and in your face disgusting than in this series?

    The wrap up is that the most positive thing is that I might use this to read up a bit about this timeperiod and perhaps read Cornwell's books. I read his Arthur books and those were interesting as they gave a total new spin on the story. Perhaps it is not strange that he writes about Alfred and his timeperiod: there are many similarities.    … Expand
  8. sonder
    Nov 19, 2015
    5
    The Last Kingdom is a pretty blatant ripoff of Vikings, and probably jumps into the future Vikings storyline. Even the opening musical number is reminiscent of Vikings. I miss the days when the BBC was funded and groundbreaking. I'm still watching the show because I'm in Vikings withdrawal though.

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
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  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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