King & Conqueror is the latest medieval drama to fall short of The Last Kingdom – but why?

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For several years now, you can learn about medieval England, in a way, by watching television dramas. This learning opportunity comes from a series of shows that delve into the early history of this island, often referred to as the ‘sceptered isle’.

In the fifth century, the story begins with The Winter King, as the Britons find themselves increasingly threatened by the Saxons. Conversely, The Last Kingdom commences several hundred years later, during a time when the Saxons themselves are under attack, this time from invading Danes.

At present, King & Conqueror portrays the declining era of Saxon dominion, a time when Harold Godwinson endeavored to thwart William of Normandy’s conquest of territories previously united by Alfred the Great (similar to The Last Kingdom’s narrative).

As a passionate cinephile, I’d like to clarify that these captivating shows should not be mistaken as interconnected sagas – each one hails from distinct creative minds. Furthermore, none of them are intentionally presented as meticulously researched historical documentaries. Intriguingly enough, The Winter King even includes the legendary characters of Arthur and Merlin, adding a fascinating twist to the storyline!

Together, they weave a captivating portrait of life during a harsh period in our nation’s history, skillfully blending imagined details with meticulously researched props, sets, and battle scenes to create an authentic experience.

While these films may not turn me into a renowned expert in medieval history, they undeniably provide a broad overview of significant events, influential personalities, and the distinctive cultures that flourished during that era. Furthermore, they offer a unique glimpse into the challenges and joys of daily existence in those times.

It’s a shame, then, that one of them stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Regarding pure entertainment value, The Last Kingdom stands out as a clear favorite compared to similar shows. Unfortunately, later episodes like The Winter King and King & Conqueror didn’t quite manage to recreate the enchantment found in the initial seasons.

As a devoted admirer of “The Last Kingdom,” I acknowledge that the series has faced some criticism regarding its fifth season and its feature-length finale, “Seven Kings Must Die.” However, for the sake of this discussion, let’s set those concerns aside.

In a more conversational tone: Hey folks, as a big fan of The Last Kingdom, I’ve got to say that some people have pointed out issues with its fifth season and the movie-length finale “Seven Kings Must Die.” But for now, let’s focus on something else!

It’s interesting to note that despite the shared elements such as setting, character types, and recurring scenes, the popularity of these shows varies significantly. I believe this disparity can be attributed to three key factors:

1. Quality of Storytelling: The effectiveness of a show often hinges on the quality of its narrative. A compelling plot, engaging characters, and well-written dialogue can make a show stand out and captivate audiences.
2. Creativity and Originality: Successful shows often offer something unique or fresh, setting them apart from other productions. This could be through innovative storylines, imaginative character development, or groundbreaking visual effects.
3. Marketing and Promotion: A well-executed marketing campaign can significantly boost a show’s visibility and attract more viewers. Strategic promotional efforts can help generate buzz and anticipation, ultimately contributing to a show’s success.

Initially, Alexander Dreymon shines brightly in the lead role. Although his post-“The Last Kingdom” career is not yet established, we eagerly await his Scorpions biopic to see if it will change this. However, there’s no argument that he was destined for the part of Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

For approximately ten years, he wholeheartedly committed to portraying the straightforward warrior, infusing the role with compassion, depth, and sincerity. Through his performance, he conveyed the character’s struggles with loss, captivity, mistreatment, and numerous battle wounds.

Instead of saying “The Winter King and King & Conqueror both lack a charismatic main character; in the former, choosing the more petite 5’7″ actor Iain De Caestecker to play the legendary Arthur was an interesting deviation from the towering Dreymon,” you could rephrase it as: “Both The Winter King and King & Conqueror seem to miss out on a compelling central figure; in The Winter King, casting the slender Iain De Caestecker instead of the usual tall Dreymon as the legendary Arthur offers a refreshing twist.

Concentrating on Arthur’s political aspects instead of just his fighting skills, and portraying him without modern-day protein supplement routines fitting for the 5th century, are sensible creative decisions.

However, unlike Arthur portrayed by De Caestecker, who appeared rigid and serious, Uhtred played by Dreymon was more endearing to viewers due to his open display of emotions and straightforward expression of opinions without hesitation.

In essence, both The Winter King and King & Conqueror tend to convey a somber mood without much humor or uplifting moments. Even with the acclaimed performances of James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, their brilliance doesn’t seem to shine as brightly in these rather grim productions.

Of course, the blame can’t be laid entirely at their feet – which brings me on to my second point.

In simpler terms, The Last Kingdom benefited immensely from Stephen Butchard’s writing throughout the first three seasons. Any initial issues with the first season were quickly overshadowed by the greatness of the second and third seasons.

It is evident from both his work here and his later projects like the historical mystery series Shardlake and the BBC crime drama This City Is Ours, that Butchard excels in creating intricately developed and enduring characters.

These are sorely lacking from The Winter King and King & Conqueror.

In simpler terms, while the work might focus more on genuine historical characters like Harold Godwinson (portrayed by Norton) and William of Normandy (portrayed by Coster-Waldau), it doesn’t make it any less tedious to engage with these figures.

In its initial three seasons, The Last Kingdom showcased Alfred the Great, portrayed by David Dawson, with an impressive character trajectory where he was adored, despised, revered, and empathized with at various stages.

Indeed, it’s feasible to give human characteristics to historical figures from long ago, even though their complete understanding may remain elusive due to limited contemporary records. However, this process necessitates a more imaginative perspective than what traditional texts like Kings and Conquerors’ scriptures might offer.

From my perspective as an ardent movie enthusiast, Bernard Cornwell’s novel “The Winter King” offers a unique perspective by delving deep into the lives of legendary characters like Arthur (De Caestecker), Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White) and Nimue (Ellie James). This captivating tale is beautifully set against a backdrop that mirrors authentic aspects of British history, providing a rich blend of fiction and historical facts.

It could seem logical to assume that approach would be less challenging, but maintaining such a serious and earthy demeanor makes it all seem rather dull. Particularly puzzling is Merlin’s transformation from the chatty and unpredictable character in Cornwell’s book into a consistently grim prophet.

In the realm of history that’s significantly distant from our present, achieving complete historical accuracy is nearly impossible. Therefore, it’s reasonable to employ creative liberties more frequently compared to productions based in more recent periods, like the late 1800s.

Why do some consider sternness and stoicism a quick route to appearing more credible? After all, who can truly know the behavior or personal connections of individuals from that era?

Without a doubt, they likely shared some hearty chuckles as they braced themselves for the undoubtedly sad and untimely end that awaited them.

The Winter King and King & Conqueror tried to portray something in a few awkward scenes, but The Last Kingdom did it exceptionally well by creating strong, believable relationships between Uhtred and Brida, Beocca, Hild, Sihtric, Finan, and others.”

Here’s another option: “The Winter King and King & Conqueror conveyed something in a few stiff instances, but The Last Kingdom was particularly skillful at building genuine, compelling connections between Uhtred and Brida, Beocca, Hild, Sihtric, Finan, and others.”

Both paraphrased versions maintain the original idea while using different wordings to make it more natural and easy to read.

Strive to honor history whenever appropriate, yet avoid becoming too attached to it that you overlook creating an engaging and entertaining storyline.

While some purists may frown upon this, it’s worth noting that imaginative elements can serve as an engaging tool when exploring obscure and almost unimaginable historical eras. In fact, these creative additions might ultimately foster a better understanding of history for the audience over time.

By focusing on the captivating storylines of Uhtred (his passionate relationships and intense rivalries), The Last Kingdom managed to share intriguing insights into the rule, faith, and enduring impact of King Alfred the Great.

Although displaying an unusual dedication to historical accuracy in “The Winter King” and emphasizing details from the chronicles in “King & Conqueror,” neither series captures the gripping storylines and indelible scenes that set their predecessor apart as a major success.

Sadly, it appears that “King & Conqueror” may fade into obscurity, much like “The Winter King,” which received little attention upon its release on ITVX and MGM+ at the end of 2023, from both critics and viewers alike.

And so, the wait for our next medieval icon continues.

King & Conqueror is available on BBC iPlayer.

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2025-08-26 17:35