I've read the Last Kingdom novels (formerly The Saxon Stories) as they've come out and there has been about ten of them. They're far better than this cable series, and the series is surprisingly good. The main character is well cast, even if he's much shorter than he's portrayed by Cornwell (who has him somewhere past 6 feet). What is great, in my opinion (and I think this about Game of Thrones), is that it's MA, since his novels certainly can be. Uhtred rogers numerous women across Briton, both in print and on the screen. I think this has been a better adaptation/production than the Richard Sharpe series he's written about a British sergeant during the Napoleanic wars, who rises through the ranks and becomes a highly successful (and envied) officer, another series of novels adapted for television. Sharpe is one more unforgettable character from Cornwell. I've been a fan of Bernard Cornwell's historical fiction for years. I think I've read everything he's written. He's one of the best. It would be particularly hard to surpass Cornwell when it comes to battle scenes, which can be stunning. He's amazing and has a way of making his work seem so authentic, bringing history to life while writing a damn good story, something that's difficult to do, in my opinion. I recommend all of his work, but this series may be his best. I guess it's obvious that I like his stuff!
I've only read a few, about early England, and they were indeed fantastic. You get very engrossed with the characters. I will have to read more of them.
That's what I was trying to suggest to everyone in my post above. These novels aren't 800 pages, like Martin's can be. They're more like 300. Give them a try, DD! You'll still enjoy the rest of the series on Netflix. Hey, I'm waiting for season 3 myself. As an aside, Cornwell just came out with either the first of a new series, or a stand alone historical novel. Don't know yet because it's sitting on a table at home, waiting to be read. It's about Shakespeare's younger brother Richard, the theatre at that time, and conflict Richard has with his older brother, William. It sounds great. Right up @Batman's alley (and mine). It's fiction, it's quite different than most of Cornwell's novels, from the sound of it, and few can compare with Bernard Cornwell. The title is below. Another interesting tidbit? Cornwell has written a play about it.
I was about to roll my eyes if this thread got bumped for someone discovering it a couple years too late ( while expecting some new news) Thanks for the update
As a refresher, I just re-watched the last episode of season 2. Forgot just how good it was. If anybody wants a show to "binge", try this one. First two seasons are only 16 episodes total. Starting season 3 later today.
What I love about his Last Kingdom series is the hindsight that pervades Uhtred's narration and Cornwell's ability to bring back minor threads mentioned early on and make them payoff in a satisfying way several books later. That's Bernard "Never Disappoints" Cornwell for you.
Couldn't agree more. Cornwell's decision to have the main character looking back at his life is brilliant, in my opinion. It works beautifully. Also agree with you, Entropy, that the actor who plays Alfred the Great (the only English monarch with "the Great" attached to his name, btw) was very well cast, particularly if you have read the novels. We'll be watching the beginning of season 3 after the Rockets game. I'm exercising self-control.
Finished season 3 and it goes to another level. 10 episodes were perfect but it was so good I wanted more. Apparently Netflix took total control for S3 and invested more resources into production. Bravo to them. I expect a renewal announcement for S4 very soon. If some of you start watching from the very beginning, be patient for the first few episodes of S1 where it might come across like a cheap knockoff of Vikings. The show does nothing but improve from there. 9/10
