Dark Age tales
THE LAST KINGDOM BBC Two, Thursday, 9pm
BBC Two returns to England in the ninth century for the highly anticipated second series of epic historical drama The Last Kingdom.
The emotionally complex and compelling landscape of revenge, rivalry, hostility, corruption, love, sex, loyalty and friendship forms the backdrop to a gripping adventure based on Bernard Cornwell’s novels, The Lords Of The North and Sword Song – part of the hugely popular bestselling franchise The Last Kingdom.
Set in the year 878, the second series returns as fearless and instinctive warrior Uhtred continues his fight for his native land of Northumbria.
Having pledged his sword to the Christian Saxon King Alfred despite his upbringing by the invading pagan Danes, Uhtred embarks on his voyage north to reclaim his own fate – to avenge Earl Ragnar’s death and recapture his ancestral lands of Bebbanburg from his traitorous uncle, Aelfric.
King Alfred’s determination to unite the separate kingdoms of England is stronger than ever and he sets his sights on the wild lands of the north, which have fallen into chaos and rebellion under the control of savage Dane brothers Sigefrid and Erik.
It is a dangerous time for Saxon and Dane alike. However, upon receiving word from Brother Trew and Father Beocca about a prophesised new king in the form of the Christian Dane Guthred, Alfred becomes convinced that championing this king could be a way to unite the tribes.
However, Guthred has been enslaved, so Alfred sends the priests on a rescue mission, weighted with silver to free Guthred from the hands of the slave traders.
Elsewhere, Uhtred still feels the loss of Iseult and, fearful that they are straying from their journey north, Hild takes matters into her own hands to advance their quest.
While crossing paths with Father Beocca in Eoferwic, Uhtred finds himself embroiled in the rescue mission, which brings him face to face with an enemy of old. As the team enter into dangerous territory, will the exchange of ransom go to plan?
Alexander Dreymon plays Uhtred, with David Dawson as King Alfred, Ian Hart as Father Beocca, Peter Mcdonald as Brother Trew, and Thure Lindhardt as Guthred.