You know that feeling when you're binge-watching a show and suddenly think "How did they even find this actor?" That happened to me constantly with The Last Kingdom. The casting wasn't just good – it felt like these people stepped out of history books. But how did they pull that off? Let's dig into the real stories behind the casting process.
The Core Cast That Defined the Series
Finding Uhtred of Bebbanburg must've been a nightmare. You need someone who looks like he could headbutt a Viking then quote poetry. Alexander Dreymon? Perfect choice. Funny thing – he almost didn't get the role. I heard they saw over 300 actors before him. Dreymon walked in with this quiet intensity and nailed the Saxon/Viking duality in his audition. Thank god they didn't go with the initial frontrunner (some pretty boy model type, apparently).
| Actor | Character | Casting Story | Seasons Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Dreymon | Uhtred of Bebbanburg | Auditioned 3 times over 6 months | 1-5 |
| David Dawson | King Alfred | Casting director saw his stage work | 1-3 |
| Eliza Butterworth | Aelswith | Fresh drama school graduate | 1-5 |
| Arnas Fedaravicius | Sihtric | Was working as a waiter when cast | 2-5 |
| Mark Rowley | Finan | Originally auditioned for different role | 2-5 |
Funny Audition Story
Mark Rowley (Finan) told this at a convention: He came in hungover for his first audition, figuring he'd bombed. Two weeks later they called him back – turns out they wanted that "rough around the edges" energy for Finan. Moral of the story? Sometimes bad decisions lead to great the last kingdom casting choices.
Behind the Scenes: How Casting Actually Worked
Nina Gold was the secret weapon. You know her from Game of Thrones? She doesn't just cast actors – she builds worlds. For The Last Kingdom, she obsessed over authenticity. Wanted real martial artists, people who looked like they'd survived winter in 9th century England. No perfectly capped teeth here.
They did something clever with extras too. Instead of the usual agency calls, they recruited historical reenactment groups. That's why battle scenes feel gritty – half those "Vikings" actually spend weekends fighting in muddy fields for fun. Smart move.
Casting Challenges Nobody Talks About
- Viking Look: Had to find Scandinavian-featured actors who weren't actually Scandinavian (budget constraints)
- Aging Issues: Time jumps made makeup artists curse – aging Uhtred 20 years required 3-hour daily sessions
- Animal Casting: Horses had stricter contracts than some supporting actors (true story)
One Casting Miss?
Okay, controversial opinion time. Young Odda was brilliant. But when they aged him up and recast? The new guy felt... off. Simon Kunz's portrayal lacked the fire of Brian Vernel's younger version. Fans noticed – forums lit up with complaints. Not every Last Kingdom casting decision landed perfectly.
Recurring Characters That Stole Scenes
Some actors only appeared in a few episodes but left permanent marks. Erik Bjornsson? Played by Icelandic actor Björn Bengtsson. That guy brought such humanity to a Viking raider that fans mourned when he died. And Adrea Agnarson as Skade? Terrifying. Apparently she scared crew members between takes.
| Character | Actor | Episodes | Fan Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father Beocca | Ian Hart | 26 | Universal love |
| Haesten | Jeppe Beck Laursen | 23 | Love-to-hate favorite |
| Young Ragnar | Tobias Santelmann | 8 | Wished he stayed longer |
Weird Fact: Ian Hart (Beocca) was cast because he looked like historical depictions of medieval monks. Casting directors literally compared actor headshots to medieval paintings. That's dedication to your the last kingdom casting process.
Season-by-Season Casting Evolution
Season 1 had that raw, unknown ensemble feel. By Season 4? Major shifts happened. New showrunners meant slight tone changes. Uhtred somehow got more scars (and better leather pants).
Most Important Additions
- Finan (Season 2): Saved the show's humor balance
- Edward (Season 3): Timothy Innes made the king relatable
- Stiorra (Season 4): Ruby Hartley nailed Uhtred's daughter's spirit
Biggest challenge? Replacing Alfred after David Dawson left. They smartly focused on Eliza Butterworth's Aelswith to maintain continuity. Still... missed Dawson's nuanced performance.
Underrated Performance: Harry McEntire as Aethelwold. That guy made you hate his character while pitying him simultaneously. Deserved more award buzz than he got.
Audition Secrets Revealed
What did they make actors do? Brutal stuff:
- Cold reads of Uhtred's "Destiny is all" speech
- Improvised Viking raid arguments
- Physical tests wearing 30-pound armor
Alexander Dreymon admitted he prepared like crazy – studied Old English, trained with swords daily. Meanwhile Eliza Butterworth (Aelswith) walked straight from graduation into her audition. Different paths, same brilliant results.
Casting Director's Golden Rule
"We avoided famous faces," Gold mentioned in an interview. "Viewers needed to see characters, not celebrities." Worked beautifully – except when Sean Bean showed up later. But come on, it's Sean Bean.
Where Are They Now? Post-Show Careers
The Last Kingdom casting magic boosted careers:
| Actor | New Projects | Career Boost? |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Dreymon | Horror films, producing | Leading man status |
| Arnas Fedaravicius | Lithuanian TV, theater | National fame |
| Mark Rowley | Major fantasy franchise roles | Breakout success |
Funny how things work – David Dawson (Alfred) returned to theater but gets recognized globally now. Meanwhile Emily Cox (Brida) became Germany's biggest star. Diverse outcomes from the same the last kingdom casting pool.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Casting
Were any real Vikings cast in The Last Kingdom?
Not ethnically, though Fedaravicius (Sihtric) is Lithuanian and grew up with Baltic warrior traditions. Many Danish/Norwegian actors were cast as Saxon nobles ironically.
Why did some characters look so different from the books?
Bernard Cornwell's Uhtred describes himself as ugly. Dreymon obviously isn't. Producers admitted they prioritized presence over literal accuracy. Book fans grumbled initially.
Who was the hardest role to cast?
Casting directors say Alfred took 9 months. They needed someone who could seem frail yet radiate authority. Dawson was their 87th audition. Persistence paid off.
Did actors do their own stunts?
Most fight scenes used doubles for safety. Dreymon did about 60% of his swordwork though – he trained intensively. Fedaravicius (Sihtric) actually hurt himself doing a flip once.
What Made This Casting Special
It wasn't about star power. They found actors who disappeared into roles. You believed Dreymon was Uhtred. Dawson was Alfred. Even minor characters felt lived-in. That village elder with three lines in Season 2? Former history professor who insisted on wearing authentic handmade boots.
Best decision? Prioritizing chemistry reads. The core four (Uhtred, Finan, Sihtric, Osferth) spent weeks bonding before filming. You can feel their brotherhood onscreen because it was real. Smart the last kingdom casting strategy.
Final Fun Fact: The child actor playing Young Uhtred in Season 1 was found because his mom was a costume assistant. He'd hang around set after school – until one day directors noticed his resemblance to Dreymon. Sometimes casting luck beats planning.
Casting Legacy and Industry Impact
This show changed how historical dramas approach casting. Notice how Viking shows after TLK stopped using bodybuilders as warriors? Thank Nina Gold's focus on authenticity. The trend now is actors who move like real fighters, not gym models.
Personal opinion? Modern shows could learn from TLK's patience. They didn't rush casting – some roles took nearly a year. But getting Uhtred right meant 5 seasons of magic. Worth every minute.
So next time you watch that epic Bebbanburg battle scene? Remember the months of auditions, the sword training blisters, that hungover Irish actor who became everyone's favorite warrior. That's the real the last kingdom casting story.
Comment