This 95%-Rated Historical Gem Is the Perfect Show to Watch While Waiting for 'House of the Dragon' S3
It's a mature, thoughtful and emotionally charged story with one of the most charismatic and complex main characters.
It was recently announced that filming for the third season of House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones prequel, has wrapped up. However, fans will have to wait until summer 2026 for the new chapter to be released.
However, there's a project that could more than fill the void – The Last Kingdom.
It long remained in the shadow of Vikings, but ultimately concluded so brilliantly that fans now rightly call it one of the best historical series of our time.
What Is 'The Last Kingdom' About?
The action takes place in the ninth century during the bloody wars between the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the invading Danes. The plot centers on Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
He was born a Saxon, but the Vikings who killed his father raised him. This internal conflict defines his entire life – he does not fit in with either the Danes, who consider him a Saxon, or the Saxons, who see him as a barbarian.
Torn between these two cultures, Uhtred vows to reclaim Bebbanburg, his ancestral castle, and becomes a key figure in the struggle to unify England.
'The Last Kingdom' Has Been Called the Successor to 'Game of Thrones'
Like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, The Last Kingdom offers a recipe for success with sweeping political intrigue, cunning alliances, brutal betrayals, and the clash of blades on the battlefield.
Based on Bernard Cornwell's popular The Saxon Stories book series, the plot provides the project with a solid narrative foundation and depth.
It's a story about not only battles but also personal identity, duty, and the price one pays for building a nation.
'The Last Kingdom' Is a Show That Gains More and More Momentum With Each Season
Unlike many shows that fizzle out by the end, The Last Kingdom demonstrated the opposite dynamic. Starting modestly on BBC Two with a small budget, the show grew larger, more confident, and more spectacular with each new season.
After moving to Netflix, the show gained new life, and its fifth season was hailed as a worthy finale – a rare achievement in modern television.
Furthermore, the story reached its logical conclusion in the feature-length film Seven Kings Must Die, which brought Uhtred's saga to a close.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Last Kingdom'?
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The Last Kingdom has 91% from critics and 95% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the series has a score of 8.5/10.
Where to Watch 'The Last Kingdom'?
The Last Kingdom is available to stream on Netflix.
