George R.R. Martin Praises The Last Kingdom for Its Battles and Betrayals

George R.R. Martin, who spent much of his early adult career writing for television, has long recommended Netflix's The Last Kingdom on his blog and social media. Having worked in writers' rooms, he has said he knows what makes a great show and has offered detailed takes across the series' run.

The Last Kingdom, based on Bernard Cornwell's novels, is set mainly in 9th-century England and follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon raised as a Dane. The series began on BBC Two before Netflix acquired it and later concluded with the 2023 film The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die.

Alexander Dreymon leads the cast, and many supporting characters have earned praise for their performances. Martin praised the show's fidelity to the books while sometimes noting budgetary limits, writing that the second season "was just as good as the first. The show could benefit from a bigger budget, honestly." He also wrote that "the show has a great look to it, all mud and blood and dark age squalor.

England, Bebbanburg

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