The Last Kingdom Cast
Based on Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories novels, The Last Kingdom follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon nobleman captured and raised by Danish Vikings. As England faces invasion, Uhtred must choose between his Viking family and his native country while seeking to reclaim his ancestral home.
Main Cast
Alexander Dreymon
Uhtred of Bebbanburg
46 episodes
Emily Cox
Brida
38 episodes
Eliza Butterworth
Lady Aelswith
42 episodes
Mark Rowley
Finan
38 episodes
Arnas Fedaravicius
Sihtric
38 episodes
Timothy Innes
King Edward
30 episodes
Millie Brady
Lady Aethelflaed
27 episodes
David Dawson
King Alfred
26 episodes
Recurring Cast - Saxons
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Ian Hart | Father Beocca | Priest and Uhtred's mentor |
| Adrian Schiller | Aethelhelm | Ealdorman of Wiltshire |
| Toby Regbo | Aethelred | Lord of Mercia |
| Charlie Murphy | Iseult | Shadow Queen |
| Harry McEntire | Aethelwold | Alfred's nephew |
| Cavan Clerkin | Father Pyrlig | Warrior priest |
| Adrian Bower | Leofric | Saxon warrior |
| Ewan Mitchell | Osferth | Alfred's bastard son |
| Ruby Hartley | Stiorra | Uhtred's daughter |
| Finn Elliot | Young Uhtred | Uhtred's son |
Recurring Cast - Danes/Vikings
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Magnus Bruun | Cnut | Danish warlord |
| Eysteinn Sigurðarson | Sigtryggr | Norse-Gael warlord |
| Eva Birthistle | Hild | Warrior nun |
| Alexandre Willaume | Kjartan | Danish warlord |
| Björn Bengtsson | Sigefrid | Norse warrior |
| Jeppe Beck Laursen | Haesten | Danish warrior |
| Rutger Hauer | Ravn | Earl Ragnar's father |
| Matthew Macfadyen | Lord Uhtred | Uhtred's father |
| Peter Gantzler | Earl Ragnar | Uhtred's adoptive father |
| Tobias Santelmann | Ragnar Ragnarsson | Uhtred's adoptive brother |
Season 4-5 Cast Additions
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Stefanie Martini | Eadith | Lady of Mercia |
| Jamie Blackley | Eardwulf | Mercian commander |
| Ross Anderson | Aelfric | Uhtred's uncle |
| Patrick Robinson | Father Benedict | Holy man |
| Phia Saban | Aelfwynn | Aethelflaed's daughter |
| Sonya Cassidy | Ealhswith | Queen Mother |
| Ola Rapace | Bloodhair | Danish warlord |
| James Northcote | Aldhelm | Mercian guard captain |
Production Team
| Role | Name | Notable Work |
|---|---|---|
| Creator | Stephen Butchard | Good Cop, House of Saddam |
| Based on Novels by | Bernard Cornwell | The Saxon Stories series |
| Executive Producers | Gareth Neame, Nigel Marchant | Downton Abbey, Carnival Films |
| Executive Producer | Alexander Dreymon | Lead actor/producer |
| Directors | Various including Nick Murphy | Multiple episodes |
| Composer | John Lunn | Downton Abbey |
| Cinematographer | Chas Bain | Historical drama specialist |
| Production Companies | Carnival Films, BBC | Netflix (from Season 3) |
Awards & Recognition
- Royal Television Society Award - Best Drama Series (Nominated)
- Broadcasting Press Guild Award - Best Drama Series (Nominated)
- Irish Film & Television Awards - Best Supporting Actor (Ian Hart)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards - Outstanding Action Performance (Nominated)
- Critics' Choice Television Awards - Most Bingeworthy Show (Nominated)
- National Film Awards UK - Best TV Drama
- Seoul International Drama Awards - Best Foreign Drama (Nominated)
- Historical Writers' Association - Best TV Drama
Cultural Impact & Reception
The Last Kingdom gained a devoted global following during its five-season run, becoming one of Netflix's most successful historical dramas after the streaming service took over production from the BBC. The series filled the void left by Vikings and Game of Thrones, offering a more historically grounded take on the Viking Age and the formation of England.
The show's success led to the feature film "Seven Kings Must Die" in 2023, which concluded Uhtred's story. Alexander Dreymon's portrayal of Uhtred became iconic among historical drama fans, with his battle cry "Destiny is all!" becoming a memorable catchphrase. The series has been praised for its attention to historical detail, authentic battle sequences, and complex portrayal of both Saxon and Danish cultures during this pivotal period in British history. The show significantly boosted tourism to filming locations across Europe and increased interest in Bernard Cornwell's source novels.