Why Was The Last Kingdom Cancelled? The Truth Behind the Series’ Conclusion
The popular historical drama The Last Kingdom captivated audiences with its gripping narrative of Uhtred of Bebbanburg and the formation of England. Many fans were surprised when the series concluded after its fifth season, leading to the burning question: why was The Last Kingdom cancelled? The truth is, it wasn’t actually a cancellation in the traditional sense. The show’s conclusion with Season 5 was pre-planned and always intended as the final act of the series. The creators decided that the story arc for the series would culminate with the events covered in the fifth season, effectively bringing Uhtred’s journey in the main series to a satisfying close. There were no last-minute budgetary concerns or sudden drops in viewership that triggered its end. The series was designed to tell a specific story across five seasons, and that plan was executed from the outset.
While this might initially seem disappointing for those longing for more of the Saxon and Viking world, it’s crucial to understand that the story did get a continuation and conclusion. This came in the form of a feature-length film, ** The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die**, which serves as an epilogue to the series. This movie provided a definitive conclusion to Uhtred’s story and brought to life events that were not covered in the main television show.
Understanding the Planned Finale
The decision to end The Last Kingdom after five seasons reflects a commitment to storytelling integrity. Rather than stretching the narrative thin or venturing into unexplored territory, the show’s writers and producers chose to deliver a carefully structured, complete arc. They aimed to avoid the pitfalls that many series encounter when they overstay their welcome, where narratives become convoluted, or characters lose their original appeal. By adhering to a predefined roadmap, The Last Kingdom maintained a consistent quality and delivered a powerful conclusion to its core storyline.
The adaptation of Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Stories novels was planned thoughtfully. The showrunners carefully selected the book series content that they wanted to focus on in the five-season television series, effectively adapting the stories to fit into the format of a multi-season show. The movie, Seven Kings Must Die, served as a natural extension to the end of the series, allowing the filmmakers to conclude the overall saga of Uhtred of Bebbanburg. This approach, while leading to the end of the popular series on the streaming platform, gave the production team a method of concluding the narrative in a way that it would be fitting for the end of the series.
More Than Just a Series
The end of The Last Kingdom after five seasons and the follow up movie shows a new approach to story telling. The production team had a vision and a predetermined plan. The production team also knew that the story was not going to continue beyond the events of the movie. This planned conclusion allowed the production team to focus on quality, providing both fans of the books and the series with a conclusion to the story. The way that the production team concluded The Last Kingdom with a definitive end reflects a change in approach when comparing it to the way that some other similar television series have concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about The Last Kingdom, its conclusion, and related topics:
Was there a Season 6 of The Last Kingdom?
No, there was not a Season 6 of The Last Kingdom. The series concluded with Season 5 as planned. The story continued and finished with the movie Seven Kings Must Die.
Does The Last Kingdom have a spin-off?
Yes, The Last Kingdom has a spin-off movie titled The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die. This film serves as a direct sequel and conclusion to the television series.
Was Uhtred of Bebbanburg a real person?
No, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the main protagonist, is not a real historical figure. However, the character is loosely based on a real-life Uhtred of Bamburgh who lived in the same era.
Is Vikings or The Last Kingdom better?
This is subjective, but many consider The Last Kingdom to have stronger overall casting. Both shows are popular for their historical settings and action-packed drama.
How is Uhtred related to Ragnar Lothbrok?
Uhtred was adopted by Ragnar Ragnarsson, who was the son of Earl Ragnar the Fearless. The characters are not directly related to Ragnar Lothbrok from Vikings, though they exist in similar historical contexts.
Which show is more historically accurate: Vikings or The Last Kingdom?
The Last Kingdom is generally considered to be more historically accurate, focusing more closely on the Saxon perspective and the integration of Saxon and Viking cultures in Britain. Vikings takes more liberties with the historical narrative.
How old was Uhtred when he died?
In the Seven Kings Must Die movie, Uhtred is approximately 81 years old at the end of his story.
What nationality is the actor who plays Uhtred?
Alexander Dreymon, who plays Uhtred, is a German actor.
What happened to the real Uhtred in history?
The historical Uhtred of Bamburgh died in 1016, well after the events depicted in The Last Kingdom and Seven Kings Must Die.
Where was The Last Kingdom filmed?
All seasons of The Last Kingdom were filmed primarily in Hungary, as England at that time looked vastly different from the England of today.
What is the movie that follows The Last Kingdom?
The movie that follows The Last Kingdom is The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die, which was released on Netflix.
What happened to Uhtred’s daughter, Stiorra?
In Seven Kings Must Die, Stiorra dies, a significant departure from the books where she dies before her husband Sigtryggr.
How old is Uhtred in Seven Kings Must Die?
In Seven Kings Must Die, Uhtred is approximately 70 years old. However, the series timeline is condensed meaning his age is closer to his mid-30s/40s during the bulk of the series.
Is The Last Kingdom based on a true story?
The Last Kingdom is not based on a single true story, but is set in a real historical time period and features many historical figures, like Alfred the Great.
Why does Uhtred’s accent change in Season 3?
Uhtred’s accent changes to reflect his hybrid cultural identity, influenced by both his Saxon and Viking upbringing. The actor developed an accent with a British base but with a Scandinavian twist.
By understanding the deliberate planning behind the end of The Last Kingdom and the role of Seven Kings Must Die, fans can appreciate the complete narrative and the intended ending of Uhtred of Bebbanburg’s journey. The decision to end the series wasn’t a cancellation but rather a strategic move to ensure the integrity and impact of the overall story.