Plot Synopsis

Based on "The Saxon Stories" series of books by Bernard Cornwell, THE LAST KINGDOM is set in the year 872, when many of the separate kingdoms of what is now England have fallen to the invading Vikings, the great kingdom of Wessex has been left standing alone and defiant under the command of King Alfred the Great. Uhtred, born the son of a Saxon nobleman, is orphaned by the Vikings and then kidnapped and raised as one of their own. What is he -- Saxon or Viking? On a quest to claim his birthright, Uhtred treads a dangerous path between both sides if he is to play his part in the birth of a new nation and, ultimately, seek to recapture his ancestral lands. Combining real historical figures and events with fictional characters, THE LAST KINGDOM is the story of how a people combined their strength under one of the most iconic kings of history in order to reclaim their land for themselves and build a place they call home.

The story opens as 11-year-old Uhtred, who was born a Saxon in 9th century Northumbria, watches from a cliff top as invading Danish ships move toward his home, not knowing that his future will soon be turned upside-down. Young Uhtred witnesses his father killed and the Saxon army defeated. That same day he is taken by a Danish warlord, Earl Ragnar. His fellow captive is a feisty, sharp-tongued girl named Brida, and the orphans are brought up in the Danish camp. Fast forward and the two have formed a close personal bond as kindred spirits and lovers. Uhtred is now a valiant young man and warrior. But it isn't long before he's forced to endure yet another painful and disorienting twist of fate when a group of Danes deliberately set his home ablaze in a vengeful, personal attack -- murdering his surrogate family (including Ragnar, who Uhtred saw as his true father). A bloody feud between rival Danes ensues. Caught in the middle, Uhtred finds himself exiled -- neither Saxon nor Dane -- alone in the world with only his fellow outcast, Brida. Meanwhile, his inheritance and lands in Northumbria are taken by his scheming uncle, Aelfric. Enraged, Uhtred swears to avenge Ragnar and to reclaim his homeland. But his loyalties are ever tested as circumstances force him to choose between the country of his birth and the people of his upbringing.

On Friday, May 5, 2017 at 3:01am ET/12:01am PT, Netflix released the eight-episode second season of THE LAST KINGDOM. In the second season, while the bloody struggle between Saxons and Vikings engulfs the land, Uhtred sets out to avenge his slain family and reclaim his ancestral home. In the season opener, sent north by Alfred to ransom enslaved king Guthred, Beocca seeks help from Uhtred, who makes a new allegiance in his quest for vengeance

The 10-episode third season of THE LAST KINGDOM, which covers the fifth and sixth installments of "The Saxon Stories," premiered on Netflix on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 3:01am ET/12:01am PT. His health failing and fearing for his legacy, Alfred sends Uhtred to confront a new threat: fierce Danish warrior Bloodhair and his sorceress, Skade. Falling afoul of Alfred, Uhtred flees north to his brother, Ragnar. His eye on the throne, Aethelwold begins assembling an alliance to strike Wessex. Bloodhair and Aethelwold try to coax Uhtred into their alliance against Alfred. Fearing for her life, Aethelflaed turns to Father Beocca for aid.

Netflix released the entire 10-episode fourth season of THE LAST KINGDOM on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 3:01am ET/12:01am PT. As Edward and Aethelflaed spar over the future of Mercia and their father's dream of a united England, Uhtred tries to recover his lost birthright. The season opens with Uhtred receiving news that Bebbanburg's defenses have been weakened by Scottish attacks and plans to seize his birthright, but Edward refuses to help. As Uhtred and his men draw closer to Bebbanburg, prodigal son Wihtgar returns with some tricks up his sleeve. News of Cnut's treachery reaches Wessex. Uhtred suffers an unbearable loss in his attack on Bebbanburg but takes some valuable captives during his retreat south. Aethelflaed prepares for war.

Season 5 of THE LAST KINGDOM premiered on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, as Netflix released the entire 10-episode new season. A fragile peace has reigned in England for years, but Uhtred believes that trouble is just over the horizon -- and events soon confirm his suspicions. In the season opener, ill omens and border raids make Uhtred extra-vigilant at his northern outpost. King Sigtryggr is visited by his notorious brother Rognvaldr. Then, a betrayal at Eoferwic sends Sigtryggr in search of aid, while Uhtred begs Aethelflaed for military support she cannot give. Edward meets a new ally.
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On Friday, April 14, 2023, Netflix released "The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die," a new two-hour movie. In the wake of King Edward's death, Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his comrades adventure across a fractured kingdom in the hopes of uniting England at last. Starring: Alexander Dreymon, Harry Gilby, Mark Rowley, Arnas Fedaravicius, Cavan Clerkin, James Northcote, Laurie Davidson, and Elaine Cassidy.