Following its conclusion, fans are already looking for the next shows like The Last Kingdom. As The Last Kingdom is full of entertaining battle sequences, forbidden romances, and intense political storylines, it's likely that they will be looking for something similar. Although some fans might not believe it, there are actually several shows around that echo Uhtred's quest for justice and glory. However, only a few of them have proven to be memorable since they have added their own refreshing twists to the plot that are even better than those seen in The Last Kingdom at times.
The Last Kingdom ended with its fifth season and a movie, The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die. While many fans were ecstatic that they got an epic and huge ending to Uhtred's story and for the writers to come up with a satisfying conclusion for all the characters, there are some that are feeling a little lost as to what they do next. The Last Kingdom followers are already looking for the next series to binge as they desperately look for a protagonist who is as intriguing as Uhtred or as empowering as Brida and Æthelflæd. However, luckily for them, there are plenty of period pieces around that fill those criteria.
20 The Musketeers (2014-2016)
- Available To Stream On Prime Video
Running for a total of 3 seasons, The Musketeers is a BBC show that was based on Alexander Dumas novel, The Three Musketeers. Featuring Merlin's Santiago Cabrera and Skins' Luke Pasqualino, the series follows the life of d'Artagnan (Pasqualino) and several soldiers in the Musketeers of the Guard, who work day-in-day-out to uncover conspiracies and threats made against King Louis XIII.
Like Uhtred's iconic bond with Finan, Sihtric, and Osferth, The Last Kingdom fans will be delighted to know that this kind of dynamic is also replicated in The Musketeers as d'Artagnan forms a great friendship and loyalty with the other soldiers. Although the battle scenes aren't as violent, The Musketeers manages to keep the audience compelled with its tales of forbidden romances and calculating villains.
19 War & Peace (2016)
- Available To Stream on Roku
There might have only been one season, but the BBC's War & Peace was certainly full of high-end drama and battle sequences. Based on Tolstoy's infamous novel of the same name, the show follows five aristocratic families as they find themselves embroiled in the Napoleonic Wars.
Like The Last Kingdom, there is plenty of political discourse and scandals as the characters battle it out for power and glory. The amazing costumes and set designs will also draw in the viewers as they help actors, such as Cinderella's Lily James and Batman's Paul Dano, keep their roles as authentic and real as possible.
18 The White Princess (2017)
- Available To Stream On Starz And Prime Video
Starring Jodie Comer and Michelle Fairley, The White Princess is another television series that was based on a book. Set in the 15th century, the show follows the life of Elizabeth of York and how she came to marry Henry VIII.
Like The Last Kingdom's Æthelflæd, the viewers will find an empowering female lead in Elizabeth of York as she earns the love of the people and becomes a strong queen. While there are a couple of historical inaccuracies, many viewers still found it quite enjoyable as the plot proved to be quite intriguing and dramatic.
17 Spartacus (2010-2011)
- Available To Stream On Starz
Although many people are familiar with the four-time Oscar-winning movie, there might be a few who have yet to watch Starz's portrayal of the eponymous gladiator. Starring Arrow's Manu Bennett and Xena: Warrior Princess actor Lucy Lawless, Spartacus followed the life of several enslaved men, including 'Spartacus,' who wage war with the Roman army after they rebel against their enslavers and start a revolution.
Like Uhtred, Spartacus proves to be an intriguing protagonist as the viewers get an in-depth grasp of his thoughts and motivations. It might also be a bit more graphic and violent than The Last Kingdom (especially in of subject matter), but the battle scenes are quite epic and entertaining.
16 Troy: Fall Of A City (2018)
- Available To Netflix
While there are plenty of iconic Hollywood movies that focus on Greek mythology, it's surprising that there aren't as many tv shows. However, the BBC had done its best to try and change that. The latest one they released was Troy: Fall of a City, which showed how Paris and Helen's affair was the catalyst in starting the Trojan War.
The Last Kingdom viewers will certainly see some resemblance between Uhtred and Paris as they make some very impulsive choices that end up having huge ramifications for all. However, while Paris and Uhtred do have their flaws, some may find Paris' bravery very irable, as, like Uhtred, he tries to defend his loved ones from harm.
15 Carnival Row (2019-2023)
- Available To Watch On Prime Video
Carnival Row is more inclined fantastically than The Last Kingdom. It deals in the realm of the fae, including legitimate fairies, men with goat horns, witches, and much more.
That said, it is a dark and action-packed show with a lot of historical aspects, and it's a little like Game of Thrones in its political dealings, as the fae must deal with racist remarks made against them from many of the humans. Although there is only one season on Amazon Prime, it has already been renewed for a second season so viewers can easily catch up on the events of the show before this airs.
14 The Witcher (2019-2022)
- Available To Stream On Netflix
The Witcher has definitely more fantasy elements than The Last Kingdom. That said, they're both Netflix series and The Witcher is a bloody and magical good time. Based on the popular book series of the same name (and the very popular video game series) the world shouldn't miss out on this series about monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, played by Henry Cavill with Liam Hemsworth stepping in as Geralt in the future.
It should definitely sate The Last Kingdom's desire to find another historical and epic adventure series complete with awesome fight sequences and a vast world of exploration. Like Uhtred and Æthelflæd's relationship, The Witcher is also full of romantic scenes and great friendships.
13 Black Sails (2014-2017)
- Available To Watch On Starz
Black Sails is painfully underrated. It's a fantastic show and perfect for those who love gritty historical television series. It's a show about pirates -- a surprisingly rare topic to find on television.
It's a little more like Vikings than The Last Kingdom in its subject matter but tonally, it shares a lot of similarities with The Last Kingdom. It also has good LGBTQ+ representation with the characters and a lot of iconic friendships that could easily challenge Uhtred and Ragnar's.
12 Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)
- Available To Stream On Showtime
Tonally, Penny Dreadful, is pretty different from The Last Kingdom. It's a horror series that contains many classic literary characters from the public domain, such as Jekyll and Hyde, Dracula, Dorian Gray, and more. It is set in the Victorian era and full of bloody goodness.
While it's not exactly medieval, it does contain tons of gritty drama and horrifying witches and monstrosities. It's a fantastic series that was undervalued in its time. The acting is absolutely phenomenal, with Eva Green stealing the show more often than not.
11 Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)
- Available To Stream On Netflix
Peaky Blinders is another critically-acclaimed Netflix series that definitely maintains the same gritty aura that The Last Kingdom does so well. Cillian Murphy is sublime on the series as Tommy Shelby, one of televisions most complex and intriguing protagonists.
It's a gangster crime drama set in Birmingham in the 1890s, and it follows the criminal endeavors of the infamous Shelby crime family. There are six seasons for viewers to get all caught up before the Peaky Blinders movie.
