If you’re diving back into the mud and blood of ninth-century England, you probably realize pretty quickly that The Last Kingdom isn't just another Game of Thrones clone. Honestly, it’s much punchier. Based on Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories, the first season sets a breakneck pace that rests entirely on the shoulders of its cast.
The Last Kingdom characters season 1 aren't just tropes. They’re messy. They’re contradictory. Uhtred of Bebbanburg starts as this arrogant, annoying teenager who thinks he’s invincible because he can swing a sword, while King Alfred is a frail, pious man who looks like he’d crumble in a stiff breeze. Yet, the chemistry between these two—this friction between Saxon law and Danish heart—is exactly what makes the show work.
Uhtred: The Man Caught Between Two Worlds
Everything starts and ends with Uhtred. But in Season 1, he’s barely the hero we see in later years. He’s a displaced noble, born a Saxon but raised by Danes after the fall of Eoforwic (York).
Alexander Dreymon plays him with this specific kind of swagger that borders on irritating. You kind of want to see him get taken down a peg, and he frequently does. When he loses his surrogate father, Ragnar the Elder, in that horrific hall-burning, his entire identity shatters. He’s not fully Danish—the Vikings see him as a useful Saxon—and he’s definitely not Saxon enough for the priests in Winchester.
What's fascinating here is his internal conflict. He wants Bebbanburg. That’s his "North Star." But to get it, he has to serve Alfred, a man he basically despises. It’s a masterclass in reluctant partnership. You see him struggling with the rigid Christian structure of Wessex while longing for the freedom of the Danish camp. It’s not just about battles; it’s about a man trying to find where he belongs in a country that is currently being invented.
Alfred the Great: The Brain Against the Brawn
David Dawson’s Alfred is, frankly, the best portrayal of the historical king ever put to screen. He’s sickly. He has chronic stomach issues—likely Crohn’s disease, though the show keeps it as a vague "ailment of the gut."
He’s the polar opposite of the Viking warriors. While the Danes value physical strength and the "shield wall," Alfred values ink, parchment, and the law. He’s manipulative. He’s deeply religious to the point of being a bit of a hypocrite, especially when he’s judging Uhtred’s "heathen" ways while secretly relying on Uhtred's tactical brilliance to save his kingdom.
In Season 1, the relationship between Uhtred and Alfred is the show’s engine. Alfred doesn't trust Uhtred. He uses him. He binds him with oaths and debts. It’s a toxic boss-employee relationship on a geopolitical scale. Without Alfred’s vision of a "United Englaland," Uhtred would just be another mercenary. Without Uhtred’s sword, Alfred would be a footnote in a Danish history book.
Brida and the Burden of Choice
Then there’s Brida. If Uhtred is the bridge between two cultures, Brida is the one who chooses a side and never looks back.
Emily Cox brings a raw, jagged energy to the role. She and Uhtred grew up together as Danish captives, and in the beginning, they’re lovers and allies. But as the season progresses, their paths diverge in a way that feels genuinely tragic. Brida embraces the Danish way of life entirely. She hates the "pious" Saxons and their "nailed god."
Her character is a stark reminder of what Uhtred gives up. When she leaves him to stay with Young Ragnar, it’s a pivot point for the entire series. She represents the life Uhtred could have had if he wasn't so obsessed with his birthright in Northumbria.
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The Supporting Players Who Stole the Show
Season 1 is packed with side characters that feel like real people, not just background fillers.
- Leofric: The ultimate "grumpy veteran." He calls Uhtred "Arseling," which became an instant fan-favorite nickname. He’s the one who teaches Uhtred how to actually lead Saxon men. Their duel in the later episodes is one of the most tense moments of the season because you actually care about both of them.
- Ubba: Played by Rune Temte, Ubba is terrifying. He’s a massive, unpredictable Viking leader who consults "the bones" for every decision. He represents the sheer chaotic power of the Great Heathen Army.
- Guthrum: Unlike Ubba, Guthrum is the thinker. He’s curious about the Christian god, not because he believes, but because he’s looking for a strategic advantage. This curiosity eventually leads to the historical conversion of the Danes, a massive plot point toward the end of the season.
- Beocca: The moral compass. Ian Hart plays Father Beocca with so much heart. He knew Uhtred as a child and serves as the only real link between Uhtred’s Saxon past and his present. He’s the only person in Alfred’s court who truly advocates for Uhtred.
The Women of Wessex: More Than Just Love Interests
It would be a mistake to overlook Mildrith. Her marriage to Uhtred is one of Alfred’s most cunning moves. He saddles Uhtred with a massive debt to the church by marrying him to a woman whose land is heavily taxed.
Mildrith is a victim of the system, but she isn't weak. She’s a devout Christian, and the clash between her faith and Uhtred’s paganism eventually destroys their marriage. It’s a small-scale version of the larger war happening across England.
Then you have Iseult, the "Shadow Queen." She represents the mystical, older side of Britain that predates both the Saxons and the Danes. Her presence adds a layer of folk-horror and magic to an otherwise grounded historical drama. Her death at the end of the season is the final catalyst that pushes Uhtred back into Alfred's service for the long haul.
Why Season 1 Hits Different
Most historical dramas take ages to get going. The Last Kingdom characters season 1 don't have that luxury. By the time we get to the Battle of Ethandun in the finale, almost everyone has lost something irreplaceable.
The pacing is relentless because the stakes are real. In the ninth century, a single bad winter or a botched raid meant the end of a bloodline. The show captures that fragility. When Uhtred and Leofric go raiding in Cornwall disguised as Danes, it’s a desperate gamble that almost gets them executed.
There’s a grit here that’s missing from big-budget fantasies. People are dirty. Their clothes are frayed. The halls are smoky and cramped. This physical realism makes the character's emotional outbursts feel earned. When Uhtred screams at the sky after losing his son, you feel the weight of a world that offers no comfort to those who don't fit in.
Common Misconceptions About the Cast
A lot of people think Uhtred is just a "Viking." He’s not. He’s a Saxon of noble blood who prefers the Danish lifestyle. This distinction is vital. If he were just a Viking, he’d have no claim to Bebbanburg. If he were just a Saxon, he wouldn't have the tactical "out of the box" thinking that saves Wessex.
Another misconception is that Alfred is the villain. In many ways, he’s an antagonist to Uhtred, but he’s the protagonist of England. He’s trying to build a nation out of mud and ruins. He makes hard, often cruel choices because he believes he’s doing God’s work.
Actionable Insights for Fans and New Viewers
If you're looking to get the most out of these characters, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the eyes, not just the swords. David Dawson (Alfred) does more with a subtle glance of disapproval than most actors do with a three-minute monologue. The power dynamics are usually settled before a sword is even drawn.
- Follow the "Oath" logic. Every major character shift in Season 1 is dictated by an oath. Whether it’s Uhtred’s oath to Alfred or his bond with Ragnar, these aren't just words; they are the legal and social contracts that keep society from collapsing.
- Note the religious friction. The conflict between the "Old Gods" (Thor, Odin) and the "New God" (Christianity) isn't just window dressing. It dictates how characters treat their enemies and their land.
- Pay attention to the geography. The show moves fast. Knowing where Winchester, Readingum (Reading), and Eoforwic are helps you understand why the characters are so desperate to hold certain rivers and fortifications.
The brilliance of the first season lies in its refusal to give anyone a clean win. Uhtred wins the battle but loses his family. Alfred saves his kingdom but realizes he is entirely dependent on a man he cannot control. It’s messy, it’s violent, and it’s deeply human.
To truly understand the trajectory of the series, you have to look at the foundations laid in these first eight episodes. The Uhtred we see at the end—standing on the battlefield, having saved a king who hates him—is a man who has finally accepted his fate. Destiny is all.