DVD Review: The Last Kingdom - Series one (2015)

TV Drama

Starring Alexander Dreymon, Ian Hart, Emily Cox

On the first disc of the 3 disc collection of the first series is a promo for Downton Abbey, the only thing that connects the 2 shows is that they are both made the same production company Carnival Films. The Last Kingdom is a full blooded adaptation of a series of  novels by Bernard Cornwell who is best known as the author of the Sharpe novels which of course were also made into a TV show starring Sean Bean. This show is set in England 872 AD as the Saxon and the Danes fight each other for control. The main focus is Utherd (Alexander Dreymon) a Saxon by birth but raised as a Dane after his Father is killed in battle. We follow Utherd in his quest to regain his birthright and that just happens to take in  the rise of Alfred (David Dawson) the Great. This is not a programme for the faint hearted because it does not shy away from showing either sex and violence in full detail. Some may complain that this is just Game of Thrones without the Dragons but they should remember that George R R Martin uses historical events as the basis for his tome.. The stand out character is Father Beocca as played by Ian Hart, a Man of God with a tongue that is as cutting as any sword as shown in the final episode with his words to a Dane warlord before and during battle. The Last Kingdom is a heady brew of combat, intrigue and romance that will keep fans satisfied until the next series which is due next year.