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Cast of the Last Kingdom – Full Actors List All Seasons

Benjamin Logan Patterson MacDonald • 2026-04-13 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

The Last Kingdom stands as one of Netflix’s most celebrated historical dramas, spanning five seasons from 2015 to 2022 before concluding with the 2023 film Seven Kings Must Die. Adapted from Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Stories novels, the series brought together a diverse ensemble of talented performers who portrayed the complex figures caught between Saxon and Danish worlds during ninth-century England.

The production, co-produced by BBC, assembled actors from across Europe to authentically portray the Viking Age characters at the heart of Cornwell’s narrative. From Alexander Dreymon’s central portrayal of Uhtred of Bebbanburg to the supporting players who cycled through across seasons, the casting proved instrumental in the show’s critical and popular success.

Who is the main cast of The Last Kingdom?

The series featured a substantial ensemble that evolved considerably across its run. Several performers anchored the production throughout all five seasons, while others joined or departed as the story demanded. The cast drew from British, Irish, and international talent pools to create authentic portrayals of the period’s Saxons, Danes, and characters caught between both worlds.

Lead Role
Alexander Dreymon as Uhtred
Duration
5 Seasons (2015–2022)
Networks
BBC / Netflix
Source Material
Bernard Cornwell Novels

Key insights about the cast

  • Alexander Dreymon appeared in every episode across all five seasons as the protagonist Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
  • Emily Cox portrayed Brida from the series premiere through the finale, representing Uhtred’s Danish foster sister.
  • The production notably featured European actors in Danish roles, including Norwegian and Swedish performers.
  • Several actors transitioned from recurring to main status as their characters gained narrative prominence.
  • Mark Rowley joined the main cast in season 2 as Finan, becoming a central figure through season 5.
  • The ensemble included actors playing multiple generations within the same families across the series timeline.

Core cast overview

Actor Character Seasons Notable Notes
Alexander Dreymon Uhtred of Bebbanburg 1–5 Saxon raised by Danes, seeks his birthright
Emily Cox Brida 1–5 Uhtred’s Danish foster sister and warrior
Mark Rowley Finan 2–5 Uhtred’s loyal Irish warrior companion
Millie Brady Lady Aethelflaed 3–5 Wessex princess, Mercian leader, Uhtred’s ally
David Dawson King Alfred 1–3 Wessex king opposing Danish expansion
Eliza Butterworth Aelswith 1–5 Alfred’s queen
Arnas Fedaravičius Sihtric 3–5 Uhtred’s trusted shadow warrior
James Northcote Aldhelm 2–5 Aethelred’s ally and huscarl
Ewan Mitchell Osferth 2–5 Alfred’s bastard son, Uhtred’s ally
Adrian Schiller Ealdorman Aethelhelm 3–5 Powerful Wessex noble

Who plays Uhtred in The Last Kingdom?

Alexander Dreymon assumed the lead role of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the half-Saxon, half-Danish warrior whose journey to reclaim his ancestral home drives the series’ narrative. Dreymon appeared in every episode across the show’s five-season run, making him the constant presence around which the sprawling ensemble assembled.

Born in Germany but raised in the United States and trained in London, Dreymon brought an international sensibility to the character. His portrayal balanced Uhtred’s fierce independence with the moral complexity of a man caught between two cultures that both claim him and both reject him in different ways.

Who plays Brida in The Last Kingdom?

Austrian actress Emily Cox portrayed Brida, Uhtred’s fierce Danish foster sister who becomes both his most devoted ally and eventually his most dangerous adversary. Cox appeared in all five seasons, her character’s arc spanning the entire duration of the series.

Brida’s journey from devoted companion to radical believer in the Danish cause represented one of the show’s most compelling character arcs. Cox’s performance earned particular praise for charting Brida’s transformation across shifting allegiances and philosophical commitments throughout the seasons.

Who is Finan played by?

Scottish actor Mark Rowley took on the role of Finan, Uhtred’s Irish-born warrior companion who becomes one of his most trusted allies. Rowley joined the main cast in season 2 and remained through the series finale, representing one of the most consistent presences in Uhtred’s inner circle.

Character significance

Finan functions as Uhtred’s most reliable confidant throughout the series, providing counsel and support through the protagonist’s numerous challenges. The character’s Irish background adds geographical and cultural dimension to the show’s portrayal of ninth-century Britain.

Who plays key supporting roles like Aethelflaed and Alfred?

The series’ supporting cast included several performers whose characters played pivotal roles in the political and military conflicts central to the narrative. These roles spanned royalty, nobility, and the warrior class that surrounded the main protagonist.

Who plays Aethelflaed?

Millie Brady portrayed Lady Aethelflaed, the daughter of King Alfred who becomes a central political figure in her own right. Brady appeared in a recurring capacity during season 3 before transitioning to a main cast member for seasons 4 and 5, where her character emerged as one of the series’ most consequential figures.

Aethelflaed’s arc sees her navigate the constraints placed on women in the period while pursuing her own ambitions for political power. Her relationship with Uhtred develops into one of the series’ significant partnerships, both romantic and strategic.

Actor who plays Alfred

David Dawson portrayed King Alfred the Great across the first three seasons of the series. Dawson’s performance captured the religious devotion, political cunning, and personal contradictions that defined the historical ruler who unified various Saxon kingdoms against Danish invasion.

The portrayal emphasized Alfred’s complex relationship with Uhtred, whose loyalty he requires despite the man’s Danish upbringing. Dawson’s work anchored many of the series’ most significant political and military storylines during the early seasons.

Additional notable performers

Ian Hart appeared across all seasons as Beocca, the priest who serves as one of Uhtred’s most steadfast allies. Timothy Innes portrayed Edward, Alfred’s son who grows into a central political figure in later seasons. Harry Gilby played Aethelstan, Edward’s son who becomes a significant character in the final season. For a comprehensive list of all the actors who appeared in the show, you can check out Victoria Pedretti pel·lícules i sèries.

Full cast list by season?

The show’s cast evolved considerably across its five-season run, with new characters and performers joining as the narrative expanded into different regions and political contexts. Understanding which actors appeared in specific seasons helps viewers follow character trajectories and identify when particular performers entered the production.

The Last Kingdom cast season 5

Season 5 brought several performers into main cast status for the first time while bidding farewell to others whose characters’ stories reached conclusions. Arnas Fedaravičius transitioned from recurring to main status as Sihtric, Uhtred’s trusted warrior companion.

New additions in season 5 included Ewan Horrocks as Prince Aelfweard, Phia Saban as Aelfwynn, Sonya Cassidy as Lady Eadgifu, and Eysteinn Sigurðarson as Sigtryggr. The film Seven Kings Must Die reunited the core cast while introducing Pekka Strang as King Anlaf and Ingrid García-Jonsson as Brand.

Cast note

The complete cast list encompasses over 100 performers across all seasons, including numerous recurring and guest roles. For exhaustive credits, authoritative sources such as IMDb and TVMaze maintain comprehensive cast databases that include minor characters, day players, and uncredited appearances not detailed in this overview.

Season-by-season overview

  • Season 1: Alexander Dreymon, Emily Cox, Tobias Santelmann, David Dawson, Matthew Macfadyen, Rune Temte, Thomas W. Gabrielsson, Joseph Millson, Harry McEntire, Simon Kunz, Brian Vernel, Adrian Bower
  • Season 2: Previous mains continued; added Ewan Mitchell as Osferth, James Northcote as Aldhelm, Erik Madsen, Ingar Helge Gimle, Marc Rissmann
  • Season 3: Added Millie Brady (Aethelflaed, recurring), Magnus Bruun (Cnut), Ola Rapace (Sigurd Bloodhair), Adrian Bouchet (Steapa), Jeppe Beck Laursen (Haesten)
  • Season 4: Added Jamie Blackley, Stefanie Martini (Eadith), Finn Elliot (Young Uhtred), Ruby Hartley (Stiorra), Amelia Clarkson (Aelflaed), Toby Regbo (Aethelred), Dorian Lough
  • Season 5: Added Arnas Fedaravičius (Sihtric, main), Ewan Horrocks, Phia Saban, Sonya Cassidy, Ryan Quarmby, Jaakko Ohtonen, Ossian Perret, Eysteinn Sigurðarson

When did major cast members join the series?

Understanding the chronology of cast additions helps contextualize character development and narrative pacing across the series. The production evolved from its initial ensemble to incorporate new performers as storylines expanded geographically and politically.

  1. 2015 — Season 1 premiere: Alexander Dreymon, Emily Cox, David Dawson, and the original ensemble launched the series with the core cast portraying Uhtred, Brida, and King Alfred’s court.
  2. 2017 — Season 2 premiere: Mark Rowley joined as Finan, Ewan Mitchell entered as Osferth, and James Northcote began his run as Aldhelm.
  3. 2019 — Season 3 premiere: Millie Brady first appeared as Aethelflaed, Magnus Bruun portrayed Cnut, and Adrian Bouchet joined as Steapa.
  4. 2022 — Season 5 premiere: Arnas Fedaravičius transitioned to main cast as Sihtric, while new performers including Ewan Horrocks and Phia Saban joined the production.
  5. 2023 — Seven Kings Must Die film: Core cast members returned, with Pekka Strang and Ingrid García-Jonsson joining as new characters.

What cast information is verified versus uncertain?

The extensive documentation of The Last Kingdom’s production provides substantial verified information about its cast, though certain details remain less comprehensively documented than others.

Established information

  • Main cast roles verified through official credits and production listings
  • Season-by-season cast introductions documented across multiple sources
  • Actor-character relationships confirmed through episode credits
  • Series completion with five seasons and one film
  • Core ensemble maintained consistent throughout the run

Information requiring verification

  • Specific details about minor recurring roles
  • Precise timing of character introductions in some cases
  • Full credit accuracy for day players and background performers
  • Some guest star identities for one-episode appearances

How did the cast contribute to the series’ success?

The ensemble’s collective work proved instrumental in establishing The Last Kingdom’s reputation for historical authenticity and character depth. The production’s commitment to casting performers who could authentically embody ninth-century figures, rather than relying solely on familiar faces, contributed to the show’s distinctive atmosphere.

The international nature of the casting, particularly for Danish characters, brought linguistic and physical authenticity to the portrayal of Viking-era Britain. This approach extended beyond the leads to encompass supporting and recurring roles throughout the production.

Several cast members have continued their careers following the series’ conclusion, with various performers moving on to new television and film projects. Alexander Dreymon, Emily Cox, and other core cast members have discussed their experiences on the production in interviews, though the series itself concluded in 2022 with the release of Seven Kings Must Die.

Where to find complete cast information

For those seeking comprehensive cast credits beyond this overview, several authoritative resources maintain detailed documentation of the production’s entire ensemble. The IMDb full credits page provides exhaustive listings of every performer who appeared across the series’ run, including minor and background roles. Wikipedia’s cast and characters section offers comprehensive tables organized by season, cross-referenced with production documentation.

The official Netflix series page includes cast listings for the streaming version, while BBC programming records document the original broadcast version. TVMaze maintains a frequently updated database that includes character descriptions alongside performer information.

Summary

The Last Kingdom assembled a substantial and evolving ensemble across its five-season run, anchored by Alexander Dreymon’s portrayal of Uhtred of Bebbanburg and Emily Cox’s performance as Brida. The cast expanded to include Mark Rowley, Millie Brady, David Dawson, and numerous others whose characters defined the series’ political and military conflicts. For more entertainment coverage, see our report on Everybody Loves Raymond Reunion – 30th Anniversary Special Facts.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a movie after The Last Kingdom?

Yes. Seven Kings Must Die, released in 2023, serves as the continuation of the series. The film reunites core cast members including Alexander Dreymon and introduces new performers in expanded roles.

Who replaced actors in later seasons?

The series did not feature significant recasting during its run. Characters who transitioned from recurring to main status did so without replacement, such as Arnas Fedaravičius as Sihtric in season 5.

How many seasons did The Last Kingdom run?

The series ran for five seasons between 2015 and 2022, with a subsequent film released in 2023 to conclude the story.

Did the original cast appear in the film?

Core cast members including Alexander Dreymon, Emily Cox, and others returned for Seven Kings Must Die, which was designed as a direct continuation of the series’ narrative.

Where was The Last Kingdom filmed?

The production filmed primarily in Hungary and Northern Ireland, using various European locations to authentically portray ninth-century Britain.

Are there spin-off series planned?

As of the available information, no official spin-off series had been announced following the completion of Seven Kings Must Die.

Who played young Uhtred in later seasons?

Finn Elliot portrayed Uhtred Uhtredson, the protagonist’s son, in seasons 4 and 5, with the character serving as Young Uhtred during flashback sequences.

Benjamin Logan Patterson MacDonald

About the author

Benjamin Logan Patterson MacDonald

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