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The Last Kingdom – Copyright. Carnival Film & Television
The Last Kingdom has fast become one of the most popular titles in the Netflix library. Since making its debut in 2015 the fan base has grown exponentially, with many comparing its action and drama to that of HBO’s Game of Thrones. After another fantastic season, we’ve all been left wanting even more from the adventures of Uhtred. With renewal confirmed, here’s everything we know so far about Season 4 of The Last Kingdom.
The Last Kingdom is a Netflix Original series based on The Saxon Stories by author Bernard Cornwell. Originally, the series was produced by BBC America and was co-produced by Netflix. As of the third season Netflix had picked up the production entirely and it became a full Netflix Original. The show has been written by Martha Hillier (Vera, Versailles) with Gareth Neame serving as an executive producer. Nigel Marchant, Jessica Pope, and Vicki Delow also serve as producers. Carnival Films is the production studio behind the magic of The Last Kingdom, with worldwide distribution handled by NBCUniversal International Distribution.
Taken from his ancestral home after his uncle’s betrayal, young Osbert is raised by the Danes. Renamed Uhtred, he is raised as a son by Earl Ragnar. When Ragnar’s banished shipmaster returns to enact his revenge upon Ragnar, he pins the blame on Uhtred. Having no choice but to flee, he and his lover Brida retreat to the Kingdom of Wessex. Forced to serve King Alfred, Uhtred is given the task of training Alfred’s armies to fight the invading Danes. Uhtred dreams of being able to return to his ancestral home and reclaim his birthright.
The Last Kingdom Season 4: Everything We Know So Far
The Last Kingdom Season 3 Recap
Uhtred was forced to flee Wessex after accidentally killing a holy man in the presence of King Alfred. Fleeing north, Uhtred reunited with his adoptive brother Ragnar. The Danish were uniting to lead an invasion force south to further conquer areas of Mercia and thus Wessex.
The King’s nephew Aethelwold spent the entirety of the season scheming to take the crown from Alfred. This ultimately leads to the death of Ragnar when Aethelwold killed him while he slept. This split the Danish forces as Brida became distracted with finding her lover’s killer. Uhtred joined Brida in the search of Ragnar’s killer and finding a way for Ragnar’s soul to reach Valhalla as he died without his sword in hand.
Edward takes control of Alfred’s forces – Copyright Carnival Film & Television
Edward led his father’s forces in the first fight against the Danes. Leading to a Wessex victory against Heasten’s forces. After the defeat of Heasten’s force, the Danish army is weakened and must wait out the winter before attacking.
They send Aethelwold back to Wessex as a spy, to which the traitor’s life is spared but loses an eye for his crime. Aethelwold continues to scheme as Alfred’s condition worsened. Uhtred was able to reconcile with Alfred before the King’s passing. Finally learning of Alfred’s true feelings for Uhtred, he was pardoned by the King on the condition of swearing fealty to his son Edward. Uhtred eventually learns that Aethelwold’s murder of Ragnar and the coward flees Wessex to rejoining the Danes.
Aethelwold after losing his eye – Copyright Carnival Film & Television
The Ambush
With Alfred’s passing Edward is crowned as king of Wessex. As spring approaches the Danish army moves south to begin its invasion. Aetholwold, having convinced Sigebriht a bannerman of Edward to turn, is confident he can turn the tide of battle when it arrives.
Aethelred of Mercia declares that Mercia will not take part in the war and pulls his forces. Uhtred convinces King Edward to attack the invading force before they arrive to catch them off guard. Summoning his forces the army of Wessex rides out to meet the Danish invaders.
Catching the Danes off guard, the initial attack works to Wessex’s advantage. With superior numbers the Danes soon begin to hold back the Wessex army. Arriving in time to aid Wessex is Aethelfold’s (Sister of Edward and wife of Aethelred) Mercian army.
Turning the tide of battle against the Danes, Sigebriht betrays Aethelwold and joins the side of Wessex. As Aethelwold attempts to flee the battle he is caught by Brida and Uhtred. Using what is left of Ragnar’s blood, Uhtred pierces the pouch holding the blood into Aethwold’s heart ensuring that Ragnar’s soul is sent to Valhalla.
Who’s appearing in The Last Kingdom season 4? Who’s been cast?
The full list of returning cast members has been confirmed to be the following:
| Role | Cast Member | Where have I seen/heard them before? |
|---|---|---|
| Uhtred Ragnarsson | Alexander Dreymon | Christopher and His Kind | American Horror Story | Resistance |
| Father Beocca | Ian Hart | Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone | Backbeat | Enemy of the State |
| Aethelred | Toby Regbo | Reign | Mr. Nobody | One Day |
| Brida | Emily Cox | The Fatherless | Dutschke |
| King Edward | Timothy Innes | The Favourite | Daphne | The Sense of an Ending |
| Aelswith | Eliza Butterworth | DCI Banks |WPC 56 |
| Finan | Mark Rowley | Macbeth | Home Fires | Luther |
| Aethelflaed | Millie Brady | Pride and Prejudice and Zombies | King Arthur Legend of the Sword | Legend |
| Cnut | Magnus Brunn | Land of Mine | Below the Surface | Sprinter Galore |
| Haesten | Jeppe Beck Laursen | Dead Snow | The Last King, Hansel | Gretel: Witch Hunters |
| Aelfric | Joseph Milson | Casino Royale | Banished | The Sarah Jane Adventures |
We can also confirm two new actors that will be joining the cast members for the fourth season of The Last Kingdom:
| Role | Character Description | Cast Member | Where have I seen/heard them before? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eadith | Aethelred’s new love conquest | Stefanie Martini | Doctor Thorne | Crooked House | Hurricane |
| Eardwulf | Aethelred’s new right-hand man | Jamie Blackley | If I Stay | The Halcyon | Snow White and the Huntsman |
Ossion Perret (Grantchester) has been cast in The Last Kingdom but his role is yet to be announced. The actor has also filmed scenes with the Henry Cavill in the upcoming Netflix Original series The Witcher.
How the book adaptations will influence The Last Kingdom Season 4
Previously, each season covered roughly two books from which the story is adapted from. Season 3 ended during the events of Death of Kings. There are some plot points from Death of Kings that could be used for the beginning of Season 4. If they move on from Death of Kings and choose to go onto the events of The Pagan Lord then a significant time jump is set to take place.
After Season 4 there are still three books ready to be adapted. The series has seen some significant differences compared to that of the books, so even if the series is to exceed the story of the books (Season 6 or 7) the writers will likely be fine continuing the story themselves. The biggest factor is the age of characters in the novels because Uhtred is in his Mid 50’s in the events of The Pagan Lord and The Empty Throne.
Season 4 Will Cover the events from 3 books of The Saxon Stories: Copyright – HarperCollins
What to expect from The Last Kingdom Season 4
The official synopsis for the fourth season of The Last Kingdom has been provided by Carnival Films:
After the death of Alfred, the alliances between the kingdoms are fractured. Uhtred believes the timing is right to challenge his uncle Aelfric, played by Joseph Millson (Casino Royale, Banished), and take back his ancestral home, Bebbanburg. However fate shifts in a different direction, leading Uhtred to realise that his destiny is tied to Alfred’s dream of a united land. This, and Uhtred’s feelings for Aethelflaed, drive him back into the politics that threaten to break out into war.
A Return to Bebbanburg?
While we were speculating on the plot of the fourth season, Uhtred’s journey to his ancestral home was one of the plot threads we mentioned. Uhtred’s fate from the synopsis above will continue to lead him away from Bebbanburg and back to the Kingdom of Wessex. After the events of the last season, Uhtred has created some fierce enemies in the form of Cnut and Haesten who will come looking to take revenge upon Uhtred for his role in the ambush against the Danish forces.
A New King Rises?
King Edward will struggle in his first years as the new king of Wessex. With a legacy such as his father’s to follow, naturally many men who were once loyal to Alfred may not be so loyal to their young king. Edward will need the help of Uhtred to unite the lands and create Alfred’s dream of England. Aethelflaed co-controls the kingdom of Mercia, alongside her husband Aethelred but with the latter plotting to kill his wife, it may be up to Uhtred to save her. Which will likely end up with the pair finally admitting their feelings for each other.
If Edward can hold the Kingdom of Wessex and keep his Mercian allies then he has a great platform to continue a conquest that would lead to capturing the lands held by the Danes such as Lundene and the Kingdom of East Anglia.
A Time Skip?
Uhtred’s children will have grown significantly if a time jump takes place. His oldest Uhtred could become a great warrior like his father, but will having been surrounded by Christians influence his future? Osbert the second son of Uhtred may instead be the son that honors his father. As for Stiorra, if she is half as beautiful as Gisela then many suitors will come forward to claim her hand.
Uhtred and Gisela in the 2nd season with the eldest son Uhtred and daughter Stiorra – Copyright Carnival Film & Television
Where in production is The Last Kingdom Season 4
Production of Season 4 is full steam ahead! At the time of updating this article, filming has been ongoing for three months. We’re unsure if filming has been completed in Budapest but we do know that filming in Bamburgh has all but concluded thanks to a tweet by the Official The Last Kingdom account:
We went back to the beginning. Back to #Bebbanburg. This was the last set up of our season 4 #Bamburgh shoot, with the most awe-inspiring view – it’s easy to see why #Uhtred wants to reclaim his ancestral lands! 📷 by Tim Palmer, Director of Photography #thelastkingdom #tlk #bts pic.twitter.com/nY7Q2FwL9W
— The Last Kingdom (@TheLastKingdom) May 15, 2019
Actress Eliza Butterworth was also videoed on set having fun “floss the cross.” While we find it hilarious we bet Aelswith would be frowning something fierce!
Set Photos: The Last Kingdom Season 4
It’s taken some time but Netflix has released some images for the fourth season of The Last Kingdom.
Over the course of the production, the cast & crew were uploading photos to their social media accounts.
Magnus Bruun who portrays the Dane, Cnut in The Last Kingdom has certainly been having fun in his role. His most recent update with actress Emily Cox suggests we’ll be expecting to more bloody action with Cnut and Brida at the heart of it.
There’s a lot of mayhem going on in this show, but behind the scenes it’s all fun and games… #TheLastKingdom #season4 #shinyhappypeopleholdinghands pic.twitter.com/vgWFZYlDsz
— Magnus Bruun (@MagnusBruun5) June 25, 2019
How many episodes will there be in The Last Kingdom season 4?
The confirmation has been given that the fourth season of The Last Kingdom will return with another 10 episodes!
Is there a trailer for The Last Kingdom season 4?
A trailer is yet to be released. Instead, here are some of the cast of the third season discussing the show.
When is the release date of The Last Kingdom season 4?
Many fans will be hoping for a 2019 release date. Production began in the Spring of this year so a late 2019 release date is possible! At the very latest we expect to see The Last Kingdom return in the first quarter of 2020.
Are you excited for the fourth season of The Last Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below!
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