The Last Kingdom [BBC/Netflix]

Paddy Samurai

One of my favourite book series.....If they manage to even be half as good as the books I will be happy.

American Horror Story‘s Dreymon heads up the international cast, which includes Emily Cox, David Dawson, Rune Temte, Matthew Macfadyen, Rutger Hauer, Ian Hart, Tobias Santelmann, Peter Gantzler, Adrian Bower, Joseph Millson and Henning Valin Jakobsen.
Adapted by Stephen Butchard from Bernard Cornwell’s best-selling book series The Saxon Stories, The Last Kingdom combines real historical figures and events with fiction, re-telling the history of King Alfred the Great and his desire to unite the many separate kingdoms into what would become England.

The trailers don't look great but fingers crossed.

Tried to open the american linked trailer but could'nt


http://www.bbcamerica.com/the-last-kingdom/videos/never-fight-ubba/

Ps:For those who like Vikings the series are linked through Ragnar Lothbroks sons.

sioda

Hope this is good great books

Paddy Samurai

Now this trailer looks a lot better than the previous teaser.

Paddy Samurai

Just so no one misses it

The Last Kingdom will start on BBC2 in October

And it came to pass that the warring houses of Westeros ceased their bloody feuds as word spread of an even more deadly threat from a land called W1A.

The BBC has invested £10m in The Last Kingdom, an incursion into the blood-and-guts medieval drama genre which has proved such a profitable venture for HBO, producers of the all-conquering Game Of Thrones.
With ITV about to launch its big budget take on Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf, the BBC has marshalled its resources, hiring Carnival, producers of Downton Abbey, to bring an eight-part adaptation of author Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories to the screen.
Boosted by funding from BBC America, the hook for the BBC2 drama is its mingling of fictional characters with real historical events, in an attempt to tell the story of the creation of England as a unitary state.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-last-kingdom-bbc--first-watch-game-of-thrones-fans-will-find-plenty-to-enjoy-10492017.html

I know Tv is rarely as good as the book,but I do hope they don't make a mess of this fantastic series.

JP Liz V1

No start date yet for BBC 2 starts 10/10 on BBC America

expectationlost

started last night any good?

marklazarcovic

ive 2 episodes here to watch tonight..hope so

Son0vagun

Yes I enjoyed it. Somewhat faithful to the books, if not a little rushed. Well acted and well directed. The Shield Walls are epic

I watched The Bastard Executioner before this, and it was dreadful in comparison.

titan18

Quite enjoying it. Much better than The Bastard Executioner. Seems to be moving along at a nice pace

somesoldiers

Son0vagun wrote: »

Yes I enjoyed it. Somewhat faithful to the books, if not a little rushed. Well acted and well directed. The Shield Walls are epic

I watched The Bastard Executioner before this, and it was dreadful in comparison.

I got the rushed feeling too though enjoyed the first episode. I'm not familiar with the books but do recognise a lot of the names from Vikings however accurate that is

Son0vagun

somesoldiers wrote: »

I got the rushed feeling too though enjoyed the first episode. I'm not familiar with the books but do recognise a lot of the names from Vikings however accurate that is

Ragnar is a common enough Viking name. It's Ivan the Boneless we need to be keeping an eye out for in The Last Kingdom.

expectationlost

watched first ep, all setup, they put the first 2 out on same did they ?

FloatingVoter

somesoldiers wrote: »

I got the rushed feeling too though enjoyed the first episode. I'm not familiar with the books but do recognise a lot of the names from Vikings however accurate that is

It's set about two generations after Vikings. Alfred the Great has already appeared fleetingly in Vikings - and a bonnie wee baby he was too (Grandson of King Ecbert).

stiffler123

Really liked the opening two episodes. The battle scenes weren't great, perhaps due to budget constraints but the plot and characters are interesting enough to stick with it.

expectationlost

im wondering why these guys didn't just watch vikings, i don't get why shield walls were so baffling to these people

FloatingVoter

expectationlost wrote: »

im wondering why these guys didn't just watch vikings, i don't get why shield walls were so baffling to these people

A rumour went round that the license inspector was on the prowl and they dumped the widescreen TVs in a pond. Along with the microwaves and the indoor plumbing.

marklazarcovic

2 eps in and i think its pretty awful in all aspects

expectationlost

boring dull, i dont' care about this guy

Paddy Samurai

Imo just watchable so far.Main character looks a lot like Jon Snow......
A big let down on the books which are brilliant.Hope that things improve in future episodes.

Mr.Prodston

I've seen the first 2 episodes and for much of the 120 minutes I've been comparing with Vikings and trying to work out who's who and how they relate.

I get it's roughly 100 years further ahead but even some characters appear-ish. My biggest problem is that I'm taking "Vikings" as historical fact when I know if anything this is probably more accurate :pac:

I've been through an endless sinkhole of Wikipedia from all the kings of Wessex for about 200 years along with all the Lothbrok mythology and I'm left a very frazzled man after it.

As for the show itself, I don't know. Once the novelty of trying to piece things together in the hope that Ragnar and Athelstan magically appear (which I'm aware they won't) I don't know how long I'll last. The books sound like a much better prospect.

This is an incoherent mess of rambling but I needed to try and declutter my brain

fryup

Did the programme makers not realise that there was already a series called Vikings being aired with a very similar theme ???

Is vikings shown in the UK??

neris

Mr.Prodston wrote: »

I've seen the first 2 episodes and for much of the 120 minutes I've been comparing with Vikings and trying to work out who's who and how they relate.

I get it's roughly 100 years further ahead but even some characters appear-ish. My biggest problem is that I'm taking "Vikings" as historical fact when I know if anything this is probably more accurate :pac:

I've been through an endless sinkhole of Wikipedia from all the kings of Wessex for about 200 years along with all the Lothbrok mythology and I'm left a very frazzled man after it.

As for the show itself, I don't know. Once the novelty of trying to piece things together in the hope that Ragnar and Athelstan magically appear (which I'm aware they won't) I don't know how long I'll last. The books sound like a much better prospect.

This is an incoherent mess of rambling but I needed to try and declutter my brain

i wouldnt bother taking anything in vikings as fact. vikings is made for the american market where they care more about gore and a good battle scene then something close to fact.

fryup

not as fast moving as Vikings, but has its moments

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Mr.Prodston wrote: »

I've seen the first 2 episodes and for much of the 120 minutes I've been comparing with Vikings and trying to work out who's who and how they relate.

I get it's roughly 100 years further ahead but even some characters appear-ish. My biggest problem is that I'm taking "Vikings" as historical fact when I know if anything this is probably more accurate :pac:

I've been through an endless sinkhole of Wikipedia from all the kings of Wessex for about 200 years along with all the Lothbrok mythology and I'm left a very frazzled man after it.

As for the show itself, I don't know. Once the novelty of trying to piece things together in the hope that Ragnar and Athelstan magically appear (which I'm aware they won't) I don't know how long I'll last. The books sound like a much better prospect.

This is an incoherent mess of rambling but I needed to try and declutter my brain

The Last Kingdom is much more accurate, historically, than Vikings. Actually, I don't know if anything is historically correct in the Vikings regarding characters, battles, etc.

fryup wrote: »

Did the programme makers not realise that there was already a series called Vikings being aired with a very similar theme ???

Is vikings shown in the UK??

I imagine Vikings is shown in the UK. It is related to their history after all. I don't know what point you are trying to make in regards to there being another show set around the same era and in similar locations.

When I first watched Vikings, I thought to myself, the guys who produced this show must have read "The Saxon Chronicles" as there were a lot of similarities.

I don't think the physique of Uthred is correct, from his description in the books. His demeanor, however, is fantastic. Such an arseling :P

I can appreciate this show probably isn't as good as others on TV for those who have not read the books, but if you have read the books I think it would make this show more interesting. You are already attached or detached from the characters and it's great to see them play out on TV.

titan18

I'd imagine the

stranger's child that was sacrificed was Uthred's child.

Would make sense

suffering golfer

titan18 wrote: »

I'd imagine the

stranger's child that was sacrificed was Uthred's child.

Would make sense

Was thinking the same. I would really shocked if it wasn't.

fryup

anyone catch the final episode??

brilliant battle scene, best i've seen in a TV series Vikings or Game of Thrones included

iora_rua

fryup wrote: »

anyone catch the final episode??

brilliant battle scene, best i've seen in a TV series Vikings or Game of Thrones included

Have still to watch the last episode, but a bit disappointed that this is the last one ... just really getting into it, after an uninspiring start! Don't watch GOT, but loved Vikings - and looking forward to the next series of that

fryup

^^^^^^^^^^^^

not the last one, they'll be a series next year

Paddy Samurai

It got off to a bad start IMO ,but finally picked up near the end with the last two episodes been the best in the series.
Not a patch on the books though ,not even near.

The main problem I have with the series is actor Alexander Dreymon who IMO does not suit the character Uhtred as portrayed in the books.I think if they had picked a different actor it would have made a big difference.
Also another couple of episodes would have helped flesh out the story and the characters , helping people who did'nt read the books to be more connected with the story.

ricero

Anybody watching the second series ? Great stuff altogether

somesoldiers

ricero wrote: »

Anybody watching the second series ? Great stuff altogether

got bored about 5 eps into s1. A poor man's GoT I thought. Is it work picking it up again?

ricero

somesoldiers wrote: »

got bored about 5 eps into s1. A poor man's GoT I thought. Is it work picking it up again?

Yea the end of season 1 is very good and season 2 has been excellent so far

morebarn2

Season 2 is excellent ,really enjoying it. Nice mix of episodes with plenty of action, and good character development. I think it is very underated.

Last night`s ending scene was so tense ! Brilliant cinematography, felt like you were in the middle of the chaos.

Wish there were more episodes, just two left to go now.

TerrorFirmer

Just finished season 2. Such an incredible show, cannot believe there's so little talk about it here on boards, although I was obviously late to the party.

It's like a far better paced and more violent version of Vikings, and it shamelessly steals from Game of Thrones also, though you might dismiss that more as nods rather than plagarism, especially in season 2

I think in the entire two seasons there was one filler episode (the marshes in S1), otherwise every episode significantly progresses the plot and moves at a terrific pace.

Brilliant show - would advise anyone who likes either Game of Thrones or Vikings to check it out. Definitely my favourite show of 2016/2017.

Potential-Monke

I must get back into this. I remember flying through the first season thinking it was a poor mans version of Vikings. The first episode of season 2 didn't do anything for me and i haven't watched any since...

Harry Palmr

I really like it, have no idea about Vikings or GoT so can't draw any invidious comparisons I'll just note that the beeb are doing it for about a tenth that the Yanks do the same sort of thing.

silverharp

Im only halfway through first series but if you like Vikings you should like this.

Potential-Monke

Oh i agree the budget is making it pale in comparison to Vikings for me, plus it's extremely confusing when they're using the same historical characters but they act and look different... Maybe i should wait for Vikings to finish for good and then spam watch the entirety of TLK in one go!

Josip007

I tried to watch The Last Kingdom after I started watching Vikings and I just couldn't watch it. I don't think the series is bad but it's just that Ragnar is played as a different actor and that I couldn't bare :P

TerrorFirmer

So, season 3 of this has just landed on Netflix pretty much out of the blue!

TerrorFirmer

Amazing first episode. Brutal, gory, moves at a terrific pace and great battle scene to set the scene for the season to come. As I've set before, no idea how this show isn't more popular around here! As much as I love Vikings, I think this is genuinely better.

Icyseanfitz

really like this show as well, does annoy me that everyone wants to always fcuk over utrid mind specifically the people he has helped the most.

fin12

I absolutely love this show, I just want to finish Narcos first before I start season 3.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Josip007 wrote: »

I tried to watch The Last Kingdom after I started watching Vikings and I just couldn't watch it. I don't think the series is bad but it's just that Ragnar is played as a different actor and that I couldn't bare :P

Ragnar in The Last Kingdom is not the same Ragnar in Vikings.

This show is quite good. Couple of things I really dislike though, Uthred hanging his sword on his back and those poxy square shields.

Conall Cernach

Milana Massive Banker wrote: »

Ragnar in The Last Kingdom is not the same Ragnar in Vikings.

This show is quite good. Couple of things I really dislike though, Uthred hanging his sword on his back and those poxy square shields.

The non wearing of helmets gets me. In the books Uhtred's war gear gets described a fair bit. It's liek a status symbol so that everyone knows he's a lord. He wears a distinctive helmet with a wolf crest and cheek guards that can be opened. I picture it something like the Sutton Hoo helmet.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Conall Cernach wrote: »

The non wearing of helmets gets me. In the books Uhtred's war gear gets described a fair bit. It's liek a status symbol so that everyone knows he's a lord. He wears a distinctive helmet with a wolf crest and cheek guards that can be opened. I picture it something like the Sutton Hoo helmet.

Yea, it's a pity there are no helmets and the armor is a bit meh, but I think non readers would have a real issue figuring out who is who. That's why they introduced the square shields. ugh!

Oh the books are really fantastic. I was super disappointed to see Uthred in the show as I think he's quite scrawny compared to how he is described in the books. However, the books cover something like 30 or 40 years I think and that's not so easy to do in the show. It's nice to see how the names are pronounced though. Finan, Pyrlig & Steappa are some that I wasn't really sure of. I will need to go back to the books soon to refresh myself.

fryup

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

So, season 3 of this has just landed on Netflix pretty much out of the blue!

is the bbc not making it anymore?

Harry Palmr

Nope and there is nothing to suggest that the BBC has a licensing agreement with the production company or netflix - very annoying and another marker of the financial pressure the BBC is under these days.

TerrorFirmer

Binged it. Incredible show. Right up there with Vikings and game of thrones, sort of fills a middle ground, so much carnage, violence and mayhem with subtle political stuff but never boring. Even if a season 4 isn't forthcoming, it works perfectly as a standalone, got the impression from the new season they were wrapping it up just in case.

Incredible show.

Ipso

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Binged it. Incredible show. Right up there with Vikings and game of thrones, sort of fills a middle ground, so much carnage, violence and mayhem with subtle political stuff but never boring. Even if a season 4 isn't forthcoming, it works perfectly as a standalone, got the impression from the new season they were wrapping it up just in case.

Incredible show.

You should give the books a go, they are building toward an end point but they can work as stand alone endings.
They're great reads, not as dense as A Game of Thrones but not complete and utter fluff and are based on historical events (the author also has a note at the end stating what he made up).