The Last Kingdom a good opening

Matthew Macfadyen (Lord Uhtred)

I watched ‘The Last Kingdom’ on BBC2 last night and the first thought this was no Game of Thrones or even Vikings both top class TV series.

Now I am a sucker for this kind of stuff so I was going into this as a fan looking not to be disappointed but wasn’t, it was an enjoyable hour of TV. Based on fact according to the shows synopsis so it was ready to be picked apart for its accuracy by some historian but did I care, not when I was looking to be entertained.

The show makers pull together one hell of a supporting cast most of whom died in this opening episode. There was a "Ned" Stark (Sean Bean) moment when Lord Uhtred senior (Matthew Macfadyen) departed the series too early in the main battle scene. The whole battle was bloody enough for anyone with a blood lust with Uhtred’s death not pretty.

Uhtred son also known has Uhtred ends up in the hands of the Vikings/Danes were Warlord Earl Ragnar captures him raises him as his own son. While in the hands of the Danes, his uncle becomes Lord of his lands and after failing to buy back is nephew bides this time.

Years go by an Uhtred is grown into a young man and while making hay with a girl slave who was captured with him they spy an enemy of Ragnar making a raid on his settlement. Also in the raiding party was a man sent by Uhtred’s uncle to make sure his nephew is also killed. Suffice to say Ragnar and most of his family meet a gruesome end while Uhtred decides to go back home to reclaim is Lordship.

It will be my new Thursday night thing to watch and will be looking forward to the next 7 episode. If you missed the opener it's on the iPlayer.