The Viking Age, with its brutal raids, shifting allegiances, and emerging kingdoms, has proven to be a rich canvas for historical drama. Two of the most prominent series tackling this era are Vikings (History Channel) and The Last Kingdom (originally BBC, later Netflix). While both draw on similar material, they approach the period with different intentions, styles, and levels of historical fidelity. Comparing them reveals distinct strengths and shortcomings in their portrayal of this transformative age.
Setting and Scope
Vikings starts in the early 8th century with the rise of Ragnar Lothbrok, a legendary figure from Norse sagas. It follows his exploits, then shifts to his sons and the Norse expansion into England and beyond. The series captures the Norse perspective almost entirely, placing viewers inside Viking culture, politics, and mythology.
The Last Kingdom, based on Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Stories, begins later in the 9th century and focuses on Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a fictional nobleman caught between the worlds of pagan Danes and Christian Saxons. Its scope is narrower but more grounded in the historical formation of England. The show closely follows the efforts of King Alfred and his successors to unify the kingdom.
Vikings is mythic and sprawling. The Last Kingdom is political and methodical. The former paints with a broader, more stylised brush. The latter drills into the fragile negotiations, betrayals, and wars that shaped English identity.
Characters and Cultural Focus
Vikings prioritises iconic figures such as Ragnar, Lagertha, Bjorn Ironside, and Ivar the Boneless. They are often exaggerated, semi-mythological characters, embodying the ferocity and fatalism of Norse belief. The show thrives on internal court intrigue, fraternal conflict, and visionary conquest, but it leans heavily into dramatics over nuance.
The Last Kingdom, by contrast, grounds its characters in plausible motivations shaped by war, faith, and loyalty. Uhtred’s struggle is personal and political, often overshadowed by larger figures like Alfred, Æthelflæd, and Edward. The show portrays Saxon and Dane society with greater balance, showing mutual respect and conflict without glorifying one over the other.
While Vikings is emotionally compelling, The Last Kingdom offers more layered human drama. It captures the moral ambiguity and cultural collisions of the time more effectively.
Historical Accuracy and Tone
Neither series is strictly accurate, but The Last Kingdom aligns more closely with known events and timelines. Its depiction of key battles, the Danelaw, and the push toward English unification is rooted in sources such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. It occasionally compresses or alters events for narrative clarity, but largely preserves the era’s political logic.
Vikings takes more liberties. The timeline is distorted. Characters from different generations or even centuries interact. The series also indulges heavily in stylised religious imagery and prophetic visions. While this lends it atmosphere, it distances the viewer from historical realism.
In terms of tone, Vikings favours spectacle. The Last Kingdom is steadier, less theatrical, and more reflective.
Production and Choreography
Vikings excels in visual ambition. Its battles are sweeping, with well-designed sets and atmospheric lighting. The choreography, especially in its early seasons, is raw and visceral, though it sometimes drifts into implausible set pieces.
The Last Kingdom operates on a tighter budget but manages strong battle sequences that reflect the messiness and desperation of shield wall combat. It leans more on strategy and consequence than stylised violence. The costume and set design also tend to be more consistent with archaeological evidence.
Which Captures the Viking Age Better?
If you want a sweeping saga that mythologises Norse heroism and ambition, Vikings delivers. It evokes the fear and fascination the Viking raids inspired, though often in a heightened and symbolic register.
But if your interest lies in the historical shaping of medieval Britain, the negotiation of culture and power, and a more grounded take on the Viking-Saxon struggle, The Last Kingdom presents a more coherent and mature depiction.
In the end, Vikings dramatizes Norse legend. The Last Kingdom illuminates early English history. For those seeking a better understanding of the Viking Age as it unfolded in England, The Last Kingdom is the more historically faithful and narratively cohesive choice.
Where to Watch
Vikings is available to stream on Prime Video and Hulu.
The Last Kingdom is available in full on Netflix. A concluding film, Seven Kings Must Die, continues the story beyond the series.
