Netflix’s epic Bernard Cornwell adaptation is coming to an end.
The Last Kingdom season five has officially finished filming and fans are now eagerly awaiting word on when it will be available to stream on Netflix.
Alexander Dreymon has been stoking up anticipation by sharing exclusive images from the new episodes with fans on Instagram, with the latest showing the return of Uhtred’s children: Finn Elliot as Young Uhtred and Ruby Hartley as Stiorra.
The latter has been set up for a particularly important role in the final season after falling in love with Dane warrior Sigtryggr (Eysteinn Sigurðarson), a partnership which allowed a fragile truce to be called.
In the image below, Uhtred appears to be confronting his daughter about something, with their familial bond emphasised by their matching amber pendants.
The caption reads: “Quick parenting tip from Uhtred: tell both your kids that the other is your favourite. If you cause enough psychological damage, they’ll spend their lives trying to impress you. You’re welcome. #joking”.
The Last Kingdom wrapped filming in June, shortly after the announcement that the fantasy drama would be ending after five seasons, leaving the final three books in Bernard Cornwell’s series unadapted.
Here’s all your essential information on The Last Kingdom season five on Netflix, including release date, cast, first-look images, story theories and more.
The Last Kingdom season 5 release date
There’s no official word yet on when The Last Kingdom season five will be released, but the series has managed to stick fairly closely to its usual production cycle in spite of the pandemic, with filming wrapped in June 2021.
That said, the show does have a lengthy post-production process to get the editing and visual effects exactly right, so RadioTimes.com predicts the show won’t arrive on Netflix until early 2022.
In April 2021, Dreymon and his co-stars appeared in a social media video confirming that The Last Kingdom crew had returned to Hungary to shoot its final season.
“Considering the circumstances, we’re incredibly fortunate to be in production at the moment,” he said. “Everyone is doing their part, it’s going very well so far and we hope to be able to bring something really special.”
Dreymon continued: “I wanted to say thank you for all your continued support because we wouldn’t be here without you and we’re all sending you lots of love.”
The following month, it was announced that The Last Kingdom will end with its fifth season on Netflix, bringing Uhtred of Bebbanburg’s epic and brutal journey through England’s perilous early years to a close.
Dreymon said in a statement: “I love this job. Playing Uhtred for five seasons has been a wonderful journey. And I’m truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to direct.
“In doing so, I came to fully appreciate the spectacular talent and skill of our cast and crew even more. I can’t wait to share it with our fans, without whom none of this would be possible.”
The Last Kingdom was renewed for a fifth season back in July 2020, but it wasn’t until nine months later that fans learned it would be the final instalment – with many calling for the show to be saved by a rival streamer.
The Last Kingdom season 5 cast: Who is returning for the final season?
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Behind-the-scenes photos from season five have confirmed which The Last Kingdom cast members are returning for the final chapter – and fans will be pleased to see all their (surviving) favourites are back.
Of course, Alexander Dreymon will be returning to leading the team once more as Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a fierce warrior with ties to both the Saxons and the Danes, who has been the main focus of the show since it began.
Check out our article on The Last Kingdom’s real history for more information on how Uhtred’s story ties in with factual events and royal figures.
Here’s a quick overview of The Last Kingdom season five cast and you can find more information on all of them below:
- Alexander Dreymon plays Uhtred of Bebbanburg
- Emily Cox plays Brida
- Eliza Butterworth plays Aelswith
- Timothy Innes plays King Edward
- Mark Rowley plays Finan
- Arnas Fedaravičius plays Sihtric
- Ewan Mitchell plays Osferth
- Millie Brady plays Aethelflaed
- Jeppe Beck Laursen plays Haesten
- Adrian Schiller plays Aethelhelm
- Amelia Clarkson plays Aelflaed
- Stefanie Martini plays Eadith
- Eysteinn Sigurðarson plays Sigtryggr
- Patrick Robinson plays Bishop Benedict
Mark Rowley, Ewan Mitchell and Arnas Fedaravičius have become firm favourites as Uhtred’s loyal allies Finan, Osferth and Sihtric, with the trio spotted in a recent set picture from the episode Dreymon is directing (see below).
!["Alexander]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/05/the_last_kingdom_uhtred_dreymon-b934ad1.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"the_last_kingdom_uhtred_dreymon\"")
Also confirmed is the return of Winchester’s Saxon royals, who were left in a state of turmoil at the end of season four, with Timothy Innes (King Edward), Millie Brady (Lady Aethelflaed) and Eliza Butterworth (Lady Aelswith) reprising their roles.
The latter had been uncertain for some time after Aelswith was cruelly poisoned by Aethelhelm towards the end of season four, but recent social media posts have confirmed that Butterworth is indeed rejoining her co-stars for the final entry.
Previously, Butterworth told RadioTimes.com: “It was really exciting to play her in those more sensitive sides, not only emotionally but also now physically, we really see her completely unravelling and becoming so weak.
“And those around her feeling complete and utter sympathy and realising that they do need her around. It’s quite sad to maybe see her go, so we don’t know.”
Emily Cox is also confirmed to be returning as Uhtred’s childhood friend-turned-nemesis Brida, whose season five appearance has been revealed in a first-look photo from season five, after the character was last seen giving birth alone in the woods.
!["Emily]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2021/02/The_Last_Kingdom_Emily_Cox_Brida-78e0e9c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"The_Last_Kingdom_Emily_Cox_Brida\"")
On the viking side, Haesten (Jeppe Beck Laursen) is still alive against all odds, while Sigtryggr (Eysteinn Sigurðarson) has partnered up with Uhtred’s daughter, Stiorra (Ruby Hartley), so expect to see the final fate of all three characters.
Adrian Schiller has confirmed he will be reprising his role as the power-hungry schemer Aethelhelm, but isn’t optimistic that he’ll make it out of the next season alive, while Amelia Clarkson plays on-screen daughter Aelflaed.
In addition, Domina actor Ewan Horrocks has been cast in a recurring role for The Last Kingdom season five, playing a new character named Aelfweard.
Meanwhile, Butterworth has confirmed that season five will feature another major time-jump, revisiting Edward’s illegitimate child Aethelstan in his teenage years, now played by Tolkein star Harry Gilby.
One big name talent has been actively campaigning for a role on Netflix’s The Last Kingdom season five: comedian Ricky Gervais, who has repeatedly expressed his love for the epic series online.
In June 2020, he tweeted to the show’s official Twitter account, dressing up in a makeshift Viking costume and saying: “Hurry up with the next season and send me to Valhalla!”
Given that Gervais has plenty of contacts at Netflix from making his hit comedy series After Life, it isn’t impossible that he could get a fun cameo in the next batch of episodes.
However, given that After Life season three is filming at the same time as The Last Kingdom season five and travel restrictions remain tight, destiny may have transpired against this cameo from actually happening.
The Last Kingdom season 5 spoilers: What will happen in the next episodes?
Season five will consist of another 10 episodes on Netflix, based on books nine and 10 of The Saxon Stories: Warriors of the Storm and The Flame Bearer.
The official synopsis says: “The fifth instalment will see Uhtred realise his destiny is more than just Bebbanburg: it is tied to the future of England itself. Charged with training King Edward’s first-born son Aethelstan as a warrior, Uhtred’s ambition will have an even higher purpose. But to achieve this destiny, Uhtred will have to face down his greatest enemy and suffer his greatest loss.”
Fans will no doubt be concerned about who or what Uhtred could lose in the season to come, with possibilities ranging from one of his children to a trusted friend like Finan or Sihtric.
This being the final season, we could also get some resolution to the ongoing storyline revolving around Uhtred’s attempts to recapture his ancestral land – the fortified grounds of Bebbanburg.
Executive producer Nigel Marchant told RadioTimes.com: “I think we want to tell the story of these separate kingdoms coming together and how that union happens, and also does Uhtred get back to Bebbanburg? Does he get his dream? Does he find his legacy? And what’s his involvement in bringing these kingdoms together?”
By the end of season four, only one Dane-controlled kingdom remained before England could be truly united under the new King Edward, who seemed determined to achieve the goal that his late father had spent so long working towards.
!["Sigtryggr]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2020/04/SIGTRYGGR_TLK-2909b1f.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"SIGTRYGGR_TLK\"")
In addition, we expect to see more on the developing relationship between Uhtred’s daughter Stiorra and enigmatic Viking warrior Sigtryggr, who appear to have formed a genuine connection under unlikely circumstances.
The season four finale saw the Saxons and Danes broker a fragile peace, but if the books are any indication, that could soon be disrupted by the arrival of another formidable warlord: Ragnall Ivarson.
The character makes his debut in Bernard Cornwell’s ninth Saxon Stories novel and could be the “greatest enemy” that the season five synopsis refers to.
That said, don’t expect The Last Kingdom to follow those novels to the letter, as the Netflix adaptation has been known to make major changes to The Last Kingdom books.
One such change has been made to the character of Eadith (Stefanie Martini), who is a love interest for Uhtred in the books but finds herself instead drawn to Finan in the television show – expect their romantic subplot to continue, but let’s hope there’s not a love triangle on the cards!
In June 2021, The Last Kingdom’s official Twitter page began posting images of key characters from the final season accompanied by lines of dialogue, including Uhtred himself making a grave threat.
“If I die, I will haunt you to the end of your days,” he says, but it’s unclear exactly who he’s issuing with that warning.
It’s time to look ahead… The journey continues but who will join the quest and who will fall?#TheLastKingdom #TLK5 pic.twitter.com/8Kpm7mPCGr
— The Last Kingdom (@TheLastKingdom) June 16, 2021
We also got our first look at Sitting In Limbo star Patrick Robinson as new character Bishop Benedict, another pious soul Uhtred will encounter on his journey.
While the warrior has forged strong bonds with holy men in the past, including Father Beocca (Ian Hart) and Father Pyrlig (Cavan Clerkin), others have taken issue with his heathen lifestyle.
What more could you give…#TheLastKingdom #TLK5 pic.twitter.com/B0HkHyidW3
— The Last Kingdom (@TheLastKingdom) June 30, 2021
In July 2021, the team behind The Last Kingdom unveiled Timothy Innes’ return as King Edward, who is looking a tad older and more distinguished than the last time we saw him – with the actor himself deeming it stamp-worthy.
The new First Class stamp. https://t.co/nnJx7Q9Ew4
— timothy innes (@Timothy_Innes1) July 8, 2021
The Last Kingdom behind-the-scenes content
Fans looking for a fix of The Last Kingdom while they wait for details about season five should head over to the show’s official YouTube channel, which features numerous videos with the cast and crew.
Get a glimpse into a typical day for the likes of Alexander Dreymon, Mark Rowley and Emily Cox, or get an insight into the show’s impressive fight choreography and costume design.
The channel is also home to video editions of The Last Kingdom podcast, which features plenty of jokes between co-hosts Dreymon, Rowley and Arnas Fedaravičius.
In addition, if you’re still reeling from the events of season four, check out RadioTimes.com‘s live Q&A with Alexander Dreymon, Eliza Butterworth and Nigel Marchant, where we discuss all the major developments.
Buy The Last Kingdom books on Amazon.
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