"The Last Kingdom", the critically acclaimed series based on the Bernard Cornwell novels, has been renewed for a second season by BBC America. The series is about the creation of England by King Alfred, the spread of Christianity and the wars of the Saxons against the Danes and Vikings. Alexander Dreymanstars stars as Ultred, the Northumbrian Saxon warrior raised by Danes.
Fans have been excited to find out the show's fate since "The Last Kingdom" Season 1 finale on November 28. The Guardian reports that the series attracted around 2.5 million predominantly male viewers including a significant number watching it on iPlayer since it was first aired.
According to Spoiler TV, it was Cornwell himself who revealed that "The Last Kingdom" Season 2 has been picked up via his Twitter account. He tweeted, "So there WILL be another series of #TheLastKingdom The adventure doesn't end!"
Fans had high hopes on the series being renewed particularly because there are nine books of The Saxon Stories to be used as source materials. There would have been many unresolved storylines and loose ends from the first season if the show was not renewed. However, fans will have to wait until 2017 when "The Last Kingdom" is predicted to premiere. It might be a good idea to start reading on the book series first during the show's very long hiatus.
Bustle reports that Cornwell said the series is about the origins of England as told through the eyes of a fictitious character. The ideas of revenge, identity and quest is mixed with real life history. He also commented on the comparisons of "The Last Kingdom" with "Game of Thrones by saying, "I can't see anything else we have in common. This is rooted in reality. And even though Uhtred didn't exist as I have written it, there is always that big story (of Alfred and his son Athelstan) in the background."
If there is anything that the success of the new shows has proven, it is that viewers everywhere enjoy watching warring families fight over lands and fortunes. For now, fans of "The Last Kingdom" can heave a collective sigh of relief that the show will be back with more of the same stories that they had grown to love.
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