Critic Reviews

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.

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.

This is smart, satisfying entertainment that brings new life to ancient history. [28 Sep - 11 Oct 2015, p.17]

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.

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.

Last Kingdom is imaginative and amusing, and Uhtred makes for a smart, tough, randy central character.

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.

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.

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.

The point is, once it gets going, The Last Kingdom is a nicely told and suitably adventurous story of revenge.