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Alexander Dreymon on the End of The Last Kingdom , Fatherhood, and What He Wants to Do Next

By Taylor Antrim

We all have our shows. The ones you’ve been watching for years, with characters as familiar as neighbors, that keep you company when nothing new is hitting quite right. The Last Kingdom , a charmingly bombastic ninth- and tenth-century adventure saga about the formation of Great Britain, is one of mine. There are five rousing seasons and now a new concluding film,  Seven Kings Must Die , which just debuted on Netflix . Full of mud and swords and blood and castles; strapping, feral Danes and scheming Saxons; the series began on the BBC. I fell for it early, in 2015, when it aired on BBC America, judging it a winkingly irreverent, very British alternative to Game of Thrones . It had literary pedigree—based as it was on the acclaimed Bernard Cornwell historical novels—and one extremely memorable star: Alexander Dreymon.

Dreymon as Uhtred in The Last Kingdom ’s conclusion, Seven Kings Must Die , streaming now on Netflix.

Dreymon makes for a deeply charismatic leading man who, one senses, understands silliness when he sees it. He plays Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a super-warrior-mischief-maker-heartthrob with the hair of a ’90s grunge guitarist, a weakness for sorceresses, and the ability to intone the phrase “Destiny is all!” at the start of every episode with the kind of lusty commitment that makes you want to follow him into battle. The Last Kingdom is full of excellent, mostly British actors, but this series probably wouldn’t have lasted more than a season without Dreymon—nor would it have amassed its cult following (by its fifth season, the show had topped streaming charts ). Dreymon’s musical voice—an accent that marks him as neither pure Saxon nor Dane—dances between solemnity and high camp, reminding you that this show is not a history lesson nor po-faced action-drama, but rather something of a high-class early-medieval amusement machine. 

I enjoyed the new film, Seven Kings Must Die , though the uninitiated should certainly start with the first three seasons, when the show was fleetest of foot. Steeped as I am in Uhtred’s world, it was a little jarring to meet Dreymon over Zoom the other day. Turns out the German-born actor lives in Connecticut, is a new dad (Dreymon’s partner is Allison Williams ), and has thoroughly respectable hair. We spoke about the series and more.

Vogue : It’s been amazing to see The Last Kingdom become one of Netflix’s biggest shows.

Alexander Dreymon: I know. Especially because it started very, very stealthily.

Tell me about how you first got the role of Uhtred back in 2014.

I heard about it when I was shooting a little movie up in Michigan. I sent in a self-tape–this was when self-tapes were starting to become a thing. Then there was a screen test via Skype and then one in London with Emily Cox , who had already been cast. We met in a park with the director who launched it all, Nick Murphy. And we were just playing around in the woods while people were walking their dogs by. We hid in the undergrowth and played scenes that ended up in the first season.

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The show was produced by Carnival, which also produced Downton Abbey , and was a part of NBCUniversal. So everybody in charge of all these companies had to agree on who was going to play Uhtred. It was a rollercoaster for me, because I was very much into the part and started reading [Bernard Cornwell’s] books. I felt I had a real shot at this. But it took so long to get an answer that it was hard to keep the faith.

For me, so much of the appeal of the show lies in your performance. Can you talk about how you imagined the character of Uhtred?

The biggest inspiration came from Bernard’s books, where Uhtred has a sense of humor. It was important to show that mischievousness, especially in his younger years. He’s like the kid at the back of the class who has a slingshot in his pocket. He’s extremely impetuous and impulsive. It was also important to me to portray a character who had vulnerability. Because he does go through all of these incredibly hard tests that life throws at him. If you only see the warrior, it’s really not watchable, especially not for five seasons plus a movie.

“He’s like the kid at the back of the class who has a slingshot in his pocket,” says Dreymon of Uhtred.

Tell me about the accent. The way he talks really defines my experience of the show.

The accent was a long debate. The producers of the show took great care in casting British actors to play all the Saxons and Scandinavian actors to play the Danes. And they wanted Uhtred to speak differently from both factions to kind of highlight the fact that he belongs to neither world. And so I worked with a dialect coach and we came up with an accent that has this British base, but with a Scandinavian twist to it, which gave it that little quality of otherness. It was also really the rhythm of his voice on top of just the pronunciation that we developed and became his trademark. 

I know you were born in Germany and grew up in Switzerland and other countries. Did any of that experience inform Uhtred, who is caught between identities?

For sure. I could really relate to the difficulty that Uhtred has just in getting accepted in whichever culture he was living in, because I moved around a lot, and especially as a kid. If you’ve lived in many different places you don’t really feel an allegiance to one particular country. I feel equally German, French, American—I find it so limiting to have to reduce myself to one. And at the same time, I can also relate to the excitement that comes with not being from any certain place, because you bring something fresh, you bring a new perspective. And that’s what was so interesting and valuable in Uhtred—he’s a Saxon who grew up with Danes so he knows how to fight, how to build a shield wall, and he ultimately becomes the leader of armies. 

When did you know that the show had struck a nerve and built a following?

The viewership really exploded to a certain degree once Netflix took it over with season three. But I’m just a very private person, so I didn’t experience much of the effects of that.

People don’t stop you on the street and say, “Destiny is all”?

Like, when I’m in Los Angeles—not really. But then when I’m in places like the U.K. or certainly Latin America or, you know, Germany or France,  it does happen. But I have the great advantage of looking very different in real life. Like, once my beard is shaved off I fly under the radar, which is by far my preference.

Is shooting The Last Kingdom grueling? I suspect you’ve spent a lot of time in Hungary over the last few years.

It takes about seven to eight months to shoot a season. And we’ve done three seasons, and the movie, in winter. The challenge there is obviously the cold. That hits hardest in battle scenes, because you inevitably go down at some point and once you’re in the mud, you’re wet and then you’re just  cold . You’re on location, so you can’t just go in the building next door and kind of warm up. But the weather brought everyone together. In general it was fun. It was great. Of course there are moments where you’re like, Oh my God, it’s 4 a.m., and you look outside and it’s raining and it’s so cold, or it’s snowing and you’re like, I’m gonna spend the whole day outside.

Dreymon with his partner Allison Williams at the Oscars in 2023.

So now that the series has concluded with Seven Kings Must Die, what do you want to do next?  

It’s a really hard choice—because it’s very important for me to get this next step right. It needs to be something different to what I’ve done before, because obviously I don’t want to get stuck in a certain box. So I’m kind of just hedging my bets and waiting for the right thing to come along. And of course, I’m developing stuff on my own as well.

And you’ve recently become a dad with your partner Allison Williams—how’s that going?

Yeah, it’s the best thing ever—a beautiful time to have a break and a new beginning. I just love being a dad. And I’ve been very good about being present with my son and not worrying about what’s next. And the next project is very much tied to him. I  ask myself, Well, is this worth taking time away? I don’t want to look back, thinking, All I’ve done is just worry about what comes next, you know? I want to cherish every moment. 

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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Exclusive Interview With The Last Kingdom Star Alexander Dreymon

Apr 04, 2022

On an Australian promotional tour for the release of the second series on DVD a few years back, Alexander sat down with The Carousel’s writer Victoria Webster to talk about his meteoric rise to success – and those inevitable comparisons to that other hit swords and sandals epic. Given the series is back again for its 5th and final series, we thought it was worth sharing the interview.

“I think it’s a compliment being compared with Game of Thrones , just because it’s such an epic show,” he tells Victoria in our exclusive in Sydney.

“I’m a big fan and I’ve got a few buddies on the show, but then Game of Thrones is a huge scale, they have a huge budget, I think that’s a very big difference.

“I think The Last Kingdom is a bit grittier and dirtier, and then it’s based in history – I think it’s a very different show.”

Alexander’s character Uhtred himself is based on the very real Uhtred the Bold who was the Earl of Northumbria one thousand years ago between the years 1006 and 1016.

Historically, it is believed Uhtred was murdered in 1016 after conceding to Cnut as the King of England – with the King wilfully knowing that Uhtred would be killed once summoned to meet him.

As for his signature horsemanship on the series, Alexander, 34, says growing up in South Dakota gave him a head-start, but most of the credit has to go to the legendary series stunt co-ordinator and ‘horse-whisperer’ Levente Lezsák.

“The more you learn, the more you realise how much there is to learn – it’s like learning a new language.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Victoria Webster is a contributor for The Carousel. She began her journalism career by studying Media and Communications at The University of Sydney.

‘Last Kingdom’ Star Alexander Dreymon on Bringing Uhtred’s Story to a Close in the Show’s Fifth and Final Season

By Joe Otterson

Joe Otterson

TV Reporter

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SPOILER ALERT : Do not keep reading if you have not finished Season 5 of “ The Last Kingdom .”

“The Last Kingdom” is coming to an end.

Although a two-hour movie followup is currently filming, Season 5 of the Netflix historical drama wraps up the story of its central character, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, played by Alexander Dreymon , in a very satisfying way — as the sins of Uhtred’s past collide head on with his present and the future of England.

Uhtred finds himself in an unusual place at the beginning of the season — unable to be with Aethelflaed (Millie Brady), the woman he loves and the Lady of Merica, he presides over a Mercian border town at her request. But strange things are in the air, as Brida (Emily Cox) is determined to have her vengeance once and for all and the enemies of the House of Wessex are gathering.

Variety spoke with Dreymon about the events of the season, his directorial debut, the impressive growth of several characters — and how Uhtred manages to look so young.

Popular on Variety

Where do we find Uhtred as this final season begins? 

He is kind of the sheriff of Rumcofa, which is a border town and he is in the service of Aethelflaed, the Lady of Mercia. He’s keeping the border safe for her. It’s kind of like a wild west town. And if you remember at the end of Season 4, he has been put in charge of raising Aethelstan [Caspar Griffiths] away from the intrigues at the court, to keep him safe and to keep him away from his enemies’ sphere of reach. Mainly, that’s — oh what’s his name?

Aethelhelm.

Thank you. I’m so glad that you’re such a fan of the show, because the names right now, they’re so confusing! There’s even more this season. Anyway, he has been raising Aethelstan as his son, and he is with his buddies, Sihtric [Arnas Fedaravicius] and Finan [Mark Rowley]. He is still pining after his relationship with Aethelflaed, which they decided to give up for her to be able to become the Lady of Mercia. I think he’s still very much in love with her and he hasn’t gotten over that. So he’s being more or less as celibate as she is.

More or less? 

More or less.

I loved Emily Cox as Brida this season, as this sort of crazy Dane cult leader. It was so intense, but it seems like a really natural progression for her character oddly enough. 

I just loved the concept of starting out the story [of the series] where Uhtred and Brida are first brother and sister more or less. Let’s not get into too many details, because then they become lovers. And they’re just so, so tight. And then within that first season, that first chasm starts and the seed is sown for what happens in Season 5. We see the progress of that relationship and how often Uhtred is trying to win her heart back, not as a lover but just as a friend because he truly cares for her and he considers her family. And through a series of mainly misunderstandings and misinterpretations of intentions, she just keeps slipping away from him further and further.

And there are moments when they find each other again, when it comes to making sure that Ragnar [Tobias Santelmann] is getting his access to Valhalla, for example, but then they never truly come together again. And despite these few moments, where we see them truly being vulnerable with each other, they never really make it and then it comes to a head in Season 5 and she grows more and more bitter as the years go on. She gets disappointed by mainly the men that she puts her trust in, and Uhtred kind of bears the brunt of that and represents all of these disappointments. She feels like he was the OG so she feels like he needs to take the revenge for all of that.

You two got to do that really great final fight scene that brings her story to a close back at the home of Ragnar the Fearless from Season 1. What was that like given how long you’ve been working with Emily? 

Working with Emily has been just such a delight, because she is a an extremely spontaneous actor. And it’s so easy to be in the moment with her, because she is open and willing to run with anything that you throw at her and she gives you so much back. And you know that when it comes to an emotional scene like that you’re in great hands working with somebody like Emily, because it is just so alive, it’s so flowing, and we kind of just bounce off of each other. She has such an easy access — well, I shouldn’t say easy, because I know that she goes to pretty dark places when she has to — but she’s so willing to go to those emotional, painful places. And so it’s a true delight. And it’s exhilarating to go on that journey with her. But for me, it was also really important that that scene was directed by a director that I really trusted. And we were very lucky to have Anthony Philipson direct us. He was such a wonderful leader for that sequence, and for the whole two episodes that he directed. I don’t know what you thought of them, but I thought they really stood out, Episodes 7 and 8. It was it was a really great experience. And I hope that the fans will agree that we did that relationship justice.

Speaking of directing, congratulations on making your directorial debut this season with Episode 2. What made you want to do that? 

Well, I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time. Because the the longer I was on the show, the more moments there were where I thought, “Oh, man, I really want to grab this beast by the horns and just do it myself.” Because I found myself just thinking in a directorial way, pretty much from moments in Season 1. So it was just a matter of finding the right time. It’s not easy to find the right moment to do it simply because prepping a directing venture like that takes a few months and then there’s a few months of post. So it’s not easy to work that into a schedule. We already work on a very, very tight schedule. Once I start shooting as Uhtred I’m completely busy. From the moment I leave the house to the moment I get back at night, it’s 15 hours and I work in the car, I work during makeup, etc. So it’s a full-time job, and then fitting a directing venture into that, I just needed to time it right. Gareth [Neame] and Nigel [Marchant], who are the producers on the show, were extremely supportive.

Looking at some other cast members this season, I really felt like Timothy Innes stepped it up in a big way as Edward. 

Not only was his performance great, but his whole look this time out was different, and added to the character. 

I am so glad you say that, because I agree with you, 100%. And I actually told him that right after I finished watching the season — I wrote him an email and said, “Dude, you really kill it.” He grew that character in such an interesting way. He incorporated so many Alfred characteristics into his Edward without being a caricature or without just copying what David Dawson did. He really made it his own. And I thought he brought a maturity to the character this season that would have been completely misplaced in the previous season. And of course, we had a brilliant makeup department led by Sjaan Gillings, who was also doing our makeup this season. So yeah, I agree with you. The look was awesome, and really underlining what he was doing with the character.

And Millie Brady as Aethelfaed this season, with her character’s illness, really had to change things up as well.  

Well, again, Millie Brady is another one who really, really blew my mind. In Season 5, there’s this awesome scene that I was lucky enough to have in the episode I directed, where she finds out what’s going on, and that she has breast cancer and that her days are numbered. And I thought she played that scene so brilliantly because she managed to vacillate between moments of vulnerability caused by this realization that it’s going to be over for her soon and the responsibility that she bears by her position. And I thought she nailed all of those moments completely. I could not have wished for a better actress to work with and to play that part, because I think she — just like Tim — grew that character so well. She took it from this innocent young girl who gets abducted and discovers first love and who has this terrible experience with her husband to somebody who is a head of state, and who knows what that means and can carry that.

Eliza Butterworth had some great moments as Aelswith too. In particular, I loved the moment near the end of the season when she finally, at long last, sides with Uhtred and tells Edward to listen to him. 

Those are the moments in movies that always get me the most. The moment where enemies finally open up to each other and see eye to eye. I love those moments.

What about Ruby Hartley, who plays Uhtred’s daughter Stiorra? She has a real roller coaster of a season as well. 

I mean, I’m sounding like a broken record, but I feel like a lot of the actors that that were on the show for a while have really stepped it up this season. You never know when you cast somebody how they’re going to grow up or mature in the years that you work with them, and I thought all of them really brought the characters what they needed. Ruby was such a delight to direct, because like Emily, she has such ready access to her emotions, and all of these scenes like when she’s in the cellar, and she’s looking through this grate which could have been comical easily. She just brings such a truth to it. I think she served the story wonderfully, and she really managed to bring across this state of being torn between between her honor and needing to fight Brida but at the same time trying to keep these women that she was responsible for safe.

She also eventually has to deal with the death of her husband, Sigtryggr [Eysteinn Sigurðarson], and the fact that he chooses Uhtred to be his executioner. 

Oh my God, yeah. That was actually an idea that was added by our stunt coordinator, Levente Lezsák, that Uhtred was going to be the one to execute him and I thought it was so fitting. Doing that scene with was really heart-wrenching because, like pretty much every actor on the show, we’ve become very good friends. He’s also somebody that I just deeply trust as a friend and fellow actor, and when we were doing that scene, I had to put the sword onto his heart and then get ready to thrust and he puts his hand on my hand just before I do it. And while we’re doing that scene, I just crumbled inside every time he did that, because it was such a loving act of somebody saying, “It’s OK. This is the way it should be.” So it was a scene that was difficult because what was happening in the story, but as an actor there are always several levels to what you’re doing. You’re going through the story that is heart-wrenching, but at the same time, your actor brain is going, “Oh my God, this is such good material.” And it feels so good to be able to go through these emotions with somebody that you respect and trust that much.

We’re running a little short on time so I have to ask about the last moment of the series, with Uhtred at Bebbanburg looking out over the sea reliving major moments from his life. It felt like such a fitting end to the show. 

I’m so glad that you like that moment. I really liked it as well. It’s so hard to get it right, the ending. That scene was an idea by Jon East, who is the director of the final two episodes. He worked with us several times before and he’s a very, very dear friend of mine. He had that idea of having like a little best of reel at the end. But in order to get the right emotional tone for me during that time, basically what we did, it was just one take, and we set up the camera. And I went up to the battlements and he just talked me through all of the moments. We had sat down before and we looked at which moments we wanted to incorporate into it. And then he just talked to me throughout the take, and I relived all those moments that we went through and again, because he’s somebody that I feel so close to and that I feel so comfortable being vulnerable with, it was a very, very easy organic process. It was a wonderful experience. Actually. I was so exhausted at that point, because it was very close to the end of the shoot. It was kind of cathartic, actually, to relive those moments.

Well sadly we’re out of time, but before I go I just want to say I was so glad they finally revealed what happened to Uhtred’s other son!

So many times I thought “Where the hell is my son? I don’t know!” There’s two things we don’t talk about in “TLK.” It used to be Uhtred’s last son. Now we can. And the other is age. We don’t talk about age. That’s the first rule. Never mention age.

My girlfriend and I did discuss that as I was watching the season. I said, “I don’t think Uhtred ages like everyone else.”

It’s the sea air at Bebbanburg. Or maybe he sleeps in an oxygen tent.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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‘The Last Kingdom’ Star Alexander Dreymon Talks Love & War in Final Season

The Last Kingdom

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Destiny is all! That’s the cry of Alexander Dreymon ’s warrior character Uhtred in action-packed, 9 th -Century medieval drama The Last Kingdom .

The fifth and final season streams on Netflix March 9. Based on Bernard Cromwell’s novels, Saxon Stories , it’s set against the bloody struggle to control what would eventually become England. Uhtred, born a Saxon but kidnapped as a child and raised by Danes, is torn between different factions. Last we saw the passionate hero, he had been entrusted with caring for King Edward’s ( Timothy Innes ) illegitimate young son, who was being targeted by his scheming grandfather, Lord Aethelhelm ( Adrian Schiller ).

Dreymon, who’s in Bulgaria shooting the series’ epic follow-up film, Seven Kings Must Die , gave us the low-down on just how dangerous it gets for Uhtred; the challenges of scaling a wall in full armor; and what keepsake the actor might steal from set.

Badass Brida ( Emily Cox ), now a powerful military leader, is back for revenge on Uhtred — and it looks like she has brought an army to crush his bloodline. Can you share a little bit about their story in Season 5?

Alexander Dreymon: I love the substantial arc Uhtred and Brida have. They start off as siblings (adopted), become lovers (let’s not dwell on that), then become brother and sister-in-law (oh my…), then enemies, then allies, then enemies, then allies, then archenemies… and you’ll have to watch Season 5 to see how it ends.

Can you describe shooting the scene shown in the trailer, where Uhtred and his allies are scaling the cliff at his ancestral home, Bebbanburg?

Anything is tough when you’re wearing armor that makes you feel like a turtle! (Especially going to the bathroom). Our stunt coordinator Levente and his team made sure that we were safely rigged with cables. That meant that when we would not be climbing, we could sit back in our harnesses and dangle in front of the wall like marionettes. It was great fun to shoot!

Is Uhtred pulled back into King Edward’s quest to unite the Saxon Kingdoms? Will we see more battles and war for rule over Wessex, Mercia, and the rest?

One of Uhtred’s best qualities is that he is extremely loyal. One of his worst qualities is that he is extremely loyal to people on opposite sides. So… YES, OF COURSE, HE’S PULLED BACK IN! “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!”

What’s in store for Uhtred when it comes to romance?

Uhtred is still very much in love with Lady Aethelflaed ( Millie Brady ). He is Lord of Rumcofa, which is a border town of Mercia (the land over which Aethelflaed rules). He’s basically the sheriff in a town that’s slightly on the shady side. He wouldn’t have taken this post if it weren’t for her. But her vow of chastity has switched that relationship status to “it’s complicated”.

'Cursed,' 'The Witcher' & 6 More Medieval Shows to Watch

There are lots of new characters. Which one has the deepest influence on Uhtred’s destiny and why?

The one who has the biggest impact is Bresal (Aethelhelm’s right-hand man), played by Harry Anton. Being under Aethelhelm’s orders, he unsurprisingly does something very, very bad that causes Uhtred a lot of pain.

Did you take anything with you from set as a keepsake after Season 5 wrapped – or do you have your eye on something when you finish shooting Seven Kings Must Die ?

When we finish the special, I will definitely try to steal Uhtred’s sword. Don’t tell anyone.

The Last Kingdom , Season 5, Streaming Now, Netflix

The Last Kingdom where to stream

Alexander Dreymon

Timothy innes.

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‘The Last Kingdom’ Enters Valhalla

Netflix’s ‘The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die’ delivers a fitting, feature-film finish to an underappreciated show

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Alexander Dreymon has been playing Uhtred of Bebbanburg—a.k.a. Uhtred Ragnarsson, a.k.a. Uhtred, son of Uhtred—for approximately 65 years. Only on screen, of course: In real life, Dreymon, the star of Netflix’s The Last Kingdom , just turned 40. In the first of the five seasons of the series that aired between 2015 and 2022, Dreymon was a good deal older than the then-teenaged Uhtred, whose story started in the mid-ninth century CE. In The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die , a new feature-length film that concludes Uhtred’s saga, Dreymon is decades younger than the half-Dane, half-Saxon hero he portrays. The movie, which came out on Netflix on Friday, features an older and wiser warrior who’s still swinging swords, riding horses, and anchoring shield walls well into the 10th century, at age 81.

“We don’t talk about that,” Dreymon jokes.

“We don’t talk about that” is also, seemingly, the longstanding stance of much of the TV recap-industrial complex when it comes to The Last Kingdom . Yet per Nielsen, the series ranked as the 14th-most-watched original streaming series last year, putting it well ahead of Amazon’s billion-dollar bet on big-name IP, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power , and roughly on par with other, more buzzed-about shows such as The Boys , The Great British Baking Show , and The Umbrella Academy . That’s not too shabby for a fifth season, especially one without much of a marketing blitz.

“I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t wish that we had had some posters up on Sunset Boulevard at some point, or had been more in award conversations,” Dreymon admits. But “in the scheme of things,” he continues, “I’m extremely grateful about how it’s gone, and the fact that we did not have an advertising push really at any point and we still were as successful as we are now is just wonderful.”

Dreymon is quick to credit the Netflix algorithm (as well as the show’s fans) for The Last Kingdom ’s many minutes watched. Netflix—which coproduced Season 2 with BBC Two before acquiring the series and assuming sole production duties starting with Season 3—certainly helped put the show in front of its subscribers’ eyeballs. But The Last Kingdom kept them trained on the screen. Yes, the series’ succession struggles, uneasy alliances, sex, and brutal battles have sparked comparisons to Game of Thrones . (The franchises share some common cast members , too, not to mention the whole seven kings/ seven kingdoms thing.) And Odin knows it’s not the only Viking content produced in recent years (see The Northman , Norsemen , Vikings , and Vikings: Valhalla ). But although Dreymon acknowledges a “large overlap” between The Last Kingdom ’s audience and those of the series it somewhat resembles, the show’s humor, historical detail, charismatic cast, and striking scenery and action have always made it much more than an imitator or a pale substitute for something else.

It’s easier to pinpoint the series’ strengths than it is to explain the mysterious, youth-preserving power of Uhtred’s medieval diet, exercise, and skin-care routine. The Last Kingdom , which depicts the historical unification of England through the tale of Dreymon’s fictitious leader, lover, and fighter, draws on compelling and copious source material: Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories . Nine of Cornwell’s Saxon Stories novels had been published when the TV version first premiered, with a 10th on the way. Thus, the adaptation was conceived as a five-season series that would tackle two books per season. The fifth season resolved the saga in satisfying fashion: Uhtred, the rightful ruler of the Northern England stronghold of Bebbanburg, achieved a series-long objective by reclaiming control of his ancestral home, which was seized by his treacherous uncle and cousin after Uhtred was kidnapped and raised by the Vikings who killed his father. The Season 5 finale earned the highest IMDb user rating of any episode in the series. The Last Kingdom could have ended there.

However, the prolific Cornwell—who also authors the even-more-voluminous, previously adapted Sharpe series of novels about Napoleonic Wars veteran Richard Sharpe—had pumped out three more books while the show was airing. This was, in a way, the opposite of the problem encountered by Thrones . Instead of outstripping the books it was based on, The Last Kingdom couldn’t keep up. Hence what Dreymon calls a “bonus”: an almost-two-hour special based largely on the 13th and final installment of The Saxon Stories , 2020’s War Lord (which Cornwell—who’s descended from a real Uhtred who lived years after the octogenarian Uhtred of Seven Kings Must Die — dedicated to Dreymon ).

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Seven Kings Must Die ties up the overarching narrative that intersected with (and sometimes set back) Uhtred’s already completed personal quest: the effort to unify England under Alfred the Great and his direct descendants and successors, Edward the Elder and Aethelstan. Thanks to the show’s liberal attitude toward time, Uhtred somehow serves both Alfred—who was played by an actor the same age as Dreymon—and Aethelstan, Alfred’s grandson, without appearing to age in the interim any more than Dreymon did in real life. Although the math of Uhtred’s timeline might make longtime viewers grin, The Last Kingdom benefits in more than one way from following Outlander ’s example and defying Father Time in regard to its good-looking leads.

The sweeping passage of time expands the series’ scope to encompass more than a half-century’s worth of invasions and victories, without subjecting Dreymon to many hours in the makeup chair or relying on jarring recasting . It also enables Uhtred to experience history repeating itself and to learn lessons from his multigenerational allegiance to Alfred’s line, all while continuing to take part in the combat that became a calling card of the series. “It’s just one of the main selling points of the show, and it’s what’s so fun to watch about it,” Dreymon says. “And I think it would not have worked if Uhtred had been a much older man.”

That’s not to say that the not-so-superannuated Uhtred of Seven Kings Must Die hasn’t mellowed somewhat with age. “The younger Uhtred was so impulsive, and there’s definitely a part of that still left in the older version of him, but I think there’s much more reflection now,” Dreymon says. “And I think whereas at the beginning it was a very selfish endeavor, he is now starting to focus more on the people in his life and what’s important to them.”

Uhtred has loved and lost more than once over the course of the series, and the Season 5 demise of his royal ride-or-die, Alfred’s daughter Aethelflaed—“So many Flaeds. So many Aeths,” Dreymon moans—leaves little room for romance in the movie. But there’s ample time for platonic love, as Uhtred patiently mentors a wayward Aethelstan—perhaps, Dreymon suggests, seeking to make up for Uhtred’s own failings as a father—and bonds with longtime companions, particularly Irish sidekick Finan, his bosom bro since Season 2. “At the beginning of the story, Uhtred was definitely a bit of a ninth-century James Bond/fuckboy,” Dreymon says. “And I think it’s great that his focus is not so much about that anymore.”

Instead, it’s on saving Aethelstan from his worst impulses (and the poisonous influence of his adviser/lover, Ingilmundr) and helping Alfred’s grandson make his grandfather’s dream of England a reality. “I always felt like Uhtred and King Alfred had a bit of a bromance/love/hate relationship going on,” Dreymon says. Although Alfred often relied on Uhtred, he and his inner circle often mistrusted him, too—as did Edward, and as does Aethelstan. No matter how many times Uhtred aids them, he can’t fully win over their trust as a half-Dane, especially a pagan one who refuses to convert to Christianity. “It’s his predicament, and he has to keep fighting against it,” Dreymon says. “And of course it’s frustrating, and it’s frustrating that it happens again with the sons of the people that did it in the first place.”

Dreymon, who shares Uhtred’s peripatetic background and resulting sense of being untethered to any one place—the actor was born in Germany and raised in France, Switzerland, and the U.S.—doesn’t think he’d have Uhtred’s tolerance for repeatedly proving himself to doubters. “I would’ve bailed a while ago,” he says. “I would’ve focused on the people in my life that are trustworthy and loving and loyal. I probably would’ve settled down with Finan a long time ago, and we would’ve raised Sihtric together.” (I would watch that show.)

Uhtred, however, is bound by his oath, his honor, and his need to be acknowledged, which Dreymon traces to daddy issues. Just as Uhtred wanted to take back Bebbanburg partly to prove to his long-dead father—played by Matthew Macfadyen, while we’re on the subject of succession —that he was a worthy heir, he wants to watch over Aethelstan to show the long-dead Alfred that Uhtred deserved his trust. And even though his ceaseless limbo between two worlds prevents him from feeling patriotic, he does see the upside of fighting for one side. “It goes hand in hand with his quest for a home and his quest for identity,” Dreymon says, adding, “He understands the vision that Alfred had. Not necessarily of England, but really what it stands for… a place where people from both origins can live together in peace. And I think that’s something that is very clearly worth fighting for, in his eyes and in mine.”

The Last Kingdom is nothing if not consistent—its seasonal-average episode ratings have hovered between 8.5 and 8.9—and in my estimation, Seven Kings Must Die matches or exceeds the series’ usual standard. (Amusingly, given the frequent comps to Thrones —which Dreymon says he considers a compliment— The Last Kingdom ’s 8.7 average episode rating matches that of Thrones , which ranks both series among the highest-rated long-running TV dramas.) The film was intended to tell a stand-alone story that could be watched without the five-season, 46-episode prelude. For the most part, it succeeds as a solo project, though those who board The Last Kingdom train just before its last stop will lack the historical context, proper-name knowledge, and emotional attachments that will make the movie more rewarding for existing Uhtred diehards and Aethelstan stans.

Although the title smacks of a Scott Pilgrim / Kill Bill / No More Heroes –style vendetta, there isn’t really a royal hit list in Seven Kings Must Die . There is, of course, a climactic battle. The Last Kingdom has excelled at staging show-stopping fights since Season 1 , and the movie’s Battle of Brunanburh belongs on the list of violent highlights. Though other shows and movies may inflate their budgets with larger-scale clashes and flashier special effects—the ninth and 10th centuries were fairly light on both bodies and explosions—few can rival the controlled ferocity and tactical clarity of The Last Kingdom ’s combat. Even in the thick of battle, the choreography is riveting and transparent: Each hack, slash, and stab is served with a purpose, as armies form walls, wheel around, and give ground in order to establish some advantage that the audience can see before it dawns on Uhtred’s enemies.

Speaking of violence: Dreymon doesn’t want to weigh in on whether Uhtred’s vision of Valhalla toward the end of the movie indicates that he’s dying from wounds suffered at Brunanburh. “Whether he goes there now or whether he goes there later—because, as you say, he is technically 81 years old—might not [make much difference],” Dreymon says. The important thing, the actor argues, is that “He knows where he’s going to go. And I think that’s a beautiful ending to the story and a beautiful, heartwarming present for this character to have at the end of where we leave him in the story, because he knows that he’s going to be in a place where he’ll be cozy, if that’s the right word for a feast hall.”

It’s definitely not the right word for how it felt to film some of the scenes in the series. Asked where he’s going to go after playing Uhtred for so long, Dreymon starts to say, “It would be nice to shoot something that is less of a physical …” Then he stops himself. “Actually, as I’m saying this, it’s so not true. It’s bullshit what I’m telling you. I love the physical challenge. I loved every moment of shooting outside, of being on the horse, even if it was cold and wet.” And it often was, which made Dreymon appreciate the hot showers and warm beds—the cozy accommodations—that the real-life fighters of Uhtred’s day didn’t have. “I am amazed that humanity has made it this far,” Dreymon says.

Dreymon does want to branch out to different types of roles. He’s recently taken on two in his personal life: Last year he got engaged to Allison Williams, with whom he has a son ( not named Uhtred ). On screen, he’d like to try a comedy; an action movie that isn’t a period piece; a contemporary, character-driven drama. Like Cornwell, he and we can close the book on The Last Kingdom . In the era of rampant prequels, sequels, and spinoffs, it’s rarely safe to declare a tale completely told; even Cornwell is about to publish a few extra, stray Saxon stories. But it would be tough for any opportunistic streamer to extend Uhtred’s adventures in either direction when we’ve already followed him from close to the cradle to close to the grave. (Plus, although Dreymon’s character, like his father and grandfather before him, has a son named Uhtred, the Uhtreds may end with Uhtred IV, for a tragic reason .)

Like Uhtred and Alfred, The Last Kingdom accomplished the lofty goal it set for itself long ago. And with Seven Kings Must Die , the saga expires with a sword in its hand, as any Viking warrior would want to .

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The Last Kingdom: Alexander Dreymon Auditioned For Uhtred By Playing In A Park

Just because you land on a show with expansive and costly sets pieces doesn't mean the journey starts out all that glamorous. For Alexander Dreymon, the road to portraying "The Last Kingdom" protagonist Uhtred began with him running around in the woods for his audition. 

Uhtred is the heir to the kingdom of Bebbanburg and after an attack, his journey thrusts him into a much larger game of warring factions and backroom political maneuvering. Dreymon portrayed Uhtred through five seasons of "The Last Kingdom" and in the 2023 Netflix film "The Last Kingdom: The Seven Kings Must Die," which follows Uhtred attempting to unite a fractured England following the death of King Edward (Timothy Innes). Dreymon scored his role as the great English warrior by auditioning in a park while people were out doing everyday things like walking their dogs. 

After a self-tape and a Skype audition, Dreymon made his way to a park with "The Last Kingdom" director Nick Murphy. "We met in a park with the director who launched it all, Nick Murphy. And we were just playing around in the woods while people were walking their dogs by. We hid in the undergrowth and played scenes that ended up in the first season," Dreymon told Vogue in an April 2023 interview.

Alexander Dreymon's inspiration for Uhtred came straight from the books

In the same Vogue interview, Alexander Dreymon revealed that he's a fan of the "Saxon Stories" books by Bernard Cornwell that provide the basis for "The Last Kingdom." The actor said through the long process of attempting to actually land the role of Uhtred, he found the character by going straight to the source material.

"The biggest inspiration came from Bernard's books, where Uhtred has a sense of humor. It was important to show that mischievousness, especially in his younger years. He's like the kid at the back of the class who has a slingshot in his pocket. He's extremely impetuous and impulsive," the actor told Vogue , adding that only showing the impressive warrior side of Uhtred would not have inspired the longevity of five seasons of a TV show plus a movie since "The Last Kingdom" premiered in 2015.

In an interview with Radio Times  also reflecting on his time as Uhtred , Dreymon said that leaving the character behind is actually the easiest part, explaining letting go of the cast and crew he's become friends with was the true challenge. 

"The hard part is just knowing that you won't work again with all of these people in that same configuration," he said. Hard to believe it all began in a park with an actor running a park in front of a whole lot of undoubtedly confused dog owners.

What did Alexander Dreymon do after The Last Kingdom?

G erman actor Alexander Dreymon played the lead character of Uhtred on The Last Kingdom , before wrapping the story up with the movie Seven Kings Must Die . What has he done since?

The short version is nothing, at least so far as movie and TV work is concerned. Since playing Uhtred one last time in Seven Kings Must Die , Dreymon had taken on no new projects, or at least none that he's announced publicly.

Part of that is because he's choosy about what he does. "I don’t have anything that I can announce right now, but I’m really looking forward to the next chapter of my career," Dreymon told Numéro Magazine in June of 2023. "I’m trying to be very thoughtful and picky about my next ventures, both as an actor and as a director. As a producer, I want to continue supporting the projects I believe in, whether there’s a role for me in them or not."

And then there's the matter of Dreymon spending more time at home.

Alexander Dreymon is focused on his new family

According to PEOPLE , Dreymon started dating Girls star Allison Williams in 2019. In 2021, they welcomed a child together. In 2022, Dreymon proposed. We don't know if they're married yet.

With a growing family at home, Dreymon is understandably occupied. "My passion at the moment is trying to figure out how to blow the perfect, giant bubble for my son in our backyard," he said during the Numéro interview. "Or cracking the mysterious code of what food he’s going to want to eat on any given day. Or just staring at him. Honestly, that’s really it. My other passions and hobbies are taking a breather, they’ve got some big competition."

Dreymon is 41 years old, so he has many years of acting ahead of him if he wants it. For right now, he's spending time with his family, but we may yet hear of a new project down the line.

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This article was originally published on winteriscoming.com as What did Alexander Dreymon do after The Last Kingdom? .

Screen Rant

The last kingdom: 13 interesting facts you didn't know about alexander dreymon (uhtred).

Alexander Dreymon, who portrays Uhtred, has also become the face of The Last Kingdom, and he's pretty fascinating.

Historical drama doesn't get any better than  The Last Kingdom ,  which is why the name Uhtred has become very popular online. The show has been dubbed Britain's  Game Of Thrones  and Uhtred, its Jon Snow. The show, which is set in the 9th century, has been appreciated by many fans as the best expression of Bernard Cornwell's novels on King Alfred the Great.

RELATED:  10 Worst Things Aethelred Did In The Last Kingdom

Alexander Dreymon, who portrays Uhtred, has also become the face of the show. His career on the big screens only started in 2010, but his stellar performance in  The Last Kingdom  has catapulted him onto the public scene in a big way. The main problem here is that most fans don't know much about his life away from the show.

Updated on December 15th, 2021 by Kayleigh Banks:  Although some fans might have been disappointed to hear that The Last Kingdom was going to end after season 5, they may be delighted to know that Uhtred's story is far from over. A couple of months ago, Netflix announced that Alexander Dreymon will be reprising his role as the Dane Slayer in  a two-hour movie, entitled Seven Kings Must Die  that they aim to release by 2023.

However, since there is going to be some time before season 5 even airs, some Last Kingdom fans might want to watch some of Dreymon's other projects or learn what he did to get himself prepared for the role.

Dreymon Is Fluent In French, English, And German

The Last Kingdom  has not used multiple languages, but Dreymon would still be the show's best hero if they did. He is fluent in German (which is his mother tongue), French, which he picked up from his time in Paris, and English.

In an interview with  The   Guardian , Dreymon spoke about why he was able to speak so many languages, saying "when I was growing up my family moved around a lot, and I've never belonged to a specific country. It was really hard because I'd [...] have to make new friends or I'd have to sit in class for months without speaking the language." However, as he grew older, he came to "welcome the possibility of discovering new cultures and languages." Dreymon's passion for language will certainly help him in the future if he is to continue acting.

Dreymon Performs Most Of His Stunts Himself

With  The Last Kingdom  containing some of the best fight scenes  on TV, it shouldn't surprise fans that Dreymon performs most of his own stunts. In an interview with  Muscle & Fitness ,  Dreymon said "I've learned so much from my stunt double, Tamás Katrics, and our stunt coordinator, Levente Laezsák, who does natural sportsmanship."

"You feel a connection with the animal that goes way beyond anything I imagined - you can influence its behavior by controlling your own energy. That's one of my favorite parts of the show." Finding this out not only adds to the authenticity of the shots and action sequences but also shows how Dreymon is determined to make sure that his portrayal of Uhtred is as authentic as possible.    

Dreymon Has A Martial Arts Background

Uhtred is a versatile character, which is why the producers needed an equally versatile and talented actor to fit into the role. Martial arts is one of the main hobbies Dreymon picked along the way during his adventurous upbringing (via  Muscle and Fitness ).

He doesn't exactly have a black belt, but he is still a well-trained Martial arts expert, which is why his action scenes are so entertaining. He didn't just make the perfect warrior; he also advises the cast during production to make the show more interesting.

Dreymon's Early Career

Despite his perfect childhood and determination, Dreymon had a hard time landing major roles when he graduated from Drama school. He appeared in a couple of plays in France and the UK, but nothing big came until 2010 when he starred as Alexandre in the 2010 French film  Ni Reprise ni échangée. 

RELATED:  10 Best Episodes Of The Last Kingdom, According To IMDb

2011 came with Dreymon's debut on the big screens when he got the role of Casper in the BBC's  Christopher and His Kind . In 2011, he also appeared on a couple of other films, including  Resistance  and  Who's Watching Who .

Dreymon's Awkward Encounter

Alexander Dreymon likes his private life and rarely gets caught up in awkward moments. However, there was one when he was still a student at the University Of Arts. In the  Evening Standard , Dreymon revealed that he had gone streaking with his friends.

"I was with a mate of mine and we were playing frisbee outside St Paul's Cathedral and it landed in a fountain," Dreymon told them. "I said I would race him across the street naked to get it," which they then did. However, a problem soon arose - they could hear police sirens approaching, which meant that Dreymon had to hide in a bush. He doesn't have any other brushes with the law, though.

Dreymon's Other Roles Outside The Last Kingdom

Before becoming Uhtred in  The Last Kingdom , Dreymon played Luke Ramsey in the third season of  American Horror Story: Coven . His time in The  American Horror Story  helped him prepare for a more demanding role. He also played Jeremiah in the 2014 vampire film  Blood Ransom.

Since joining the cast of  The Last Kingdom , he has appeared in films such as  Guys Reading Poems ,  Heartlock,  and the 2020 film  Horizon Line . His time in  The Last Kingdom  has, however, been the most significant time in his career.

Dreymon's Love Life

Unlike Uhtred, who has always been lucky in the romance department, not much is known about Dreymon's love life. In 2012, there were rumors that he had been dating  Skyfall  and  Hercules  actor, Tonia Sotiropoulou.

However, their relationship is believed to have ended before Uhtred took up his role in  The Last Kingdom . There was also speculation that he was dating Eliza Butterworth (who plays Lady Aelswith) but Butterworth seems to be in a relationship with someone else. With his Instagram not showing any hints either, there's a possibility that Dreymon is single or likes to keep his love life private.

How Dreymon Feels About Being A Celebrity

Dreymon hasn't said much about the dream role he wants to play in life, but it is obvious he enjoys being Uhtred in  The Last Kingdom  and all the publicity that comes with it. It is definitely the role that will shape the rest of his career, and his whole life seems to have prepared him for it.

He confessed in an interview with  The Carousel   that he doesn't like it when people point and call him out in public because of his role. He once denied being Uhtred when people claimed to have seen him on TV while he was on the tube.

Dreymon And Emily Cox Instantly Clicked When They Met

Uhtred has had many great relationships on  The Last Kingdom,  but one friendship that had a special place in the fans' hearts was Uhtred and Brida's. Although Brida considers herself to be Uhtred's enemy now, there was a time that they considered each other "soulmates." There may have been on opposite sides of the war but fans always appreciated that they would come rushing to the other's aid. They also bounce off of each other and gel quite well.

RELATED:  The Worst Things Uhtred Did In The Last Kingdom

But what about off-screen? In an interview with  Entertainment Focus , Dreymon revealed that he and Emily Cox were instantly able to capture Brida and Uhtred's bond as soon as they met. "We really hit it off the moment we met," he revealed. "We actually did the screen test together before we were cast for the show and there wasn't much work to do. She's such a lovely [person] and a brilliant actor."

Dreymon Almost Broke A Colleague's Nose On Set Of The Last Kingdom

While Dreymon has revealed several times in interviews that he participates in his own stunts, there have also been a few instances where some have gone wrong. This certainly proved to be the case for Dreymon when he was filming season 1 of  The Last Kingdom  as he revealed to  Express   that he almost broke the nose of one of his colleagues.

"During that sequence [the one at the end of season 1], I did kick somebody in the face and almost broke his nose and that was one of the worst moments," he had said. "Your heart is pounding and your adrenaline is shooting and you're just hoping they're okay." Luckily, the man was okay and didn't have any serious injuries when Dreymon checked up on him.

Why Dreymon Was Drawn To Uhtred

Considering that many people auditioned for the role of Uhtred, including Erik actor Christian Hillborg (via  Express ), there had to be a reason as to why everyone was drawn to the role. For Dreymon, the actor revealed that he was mainly drawn to the part because of Uhtred's complexity.

RELATED:  10 Worst Things Brida Has Done In The Last Kingdom

"He's not perfect. He's charming, but he's got flaws," he revealed to  The Guardian .  "I like his cheekiness and the fact that he gets himself in messed up situations. He's impulsive, and that's fun to play - even when he's faced with a life or death situation." Fans would certainly agree that Uhtred was quite reckless when they first met him in season 1 as he hardly thought about the consequences of his actions. However, since taking on an advisor-like role for Edward and becoming a protector for their family, he has matured and become  one of  The Last Kingdom's  best Dane leaders .

How Dreymon Prepared For The Role

There are many ways that actors prepare themselves for their roles. While some individuals prefer to do 'method acting,' Dreymon decided to use the books as his source of inspiration (via  Entertainment Focus ).

"For me, the research is really an essential part of character building and one of my favorite parts," he revealed. "It quite hard to find the right sources material but in here it had all been written by Bernard. That gave me the base for my character and I lived in his shoes as much as possible before the shoot." While Dreymon might not look  exactly like his book counterpart physically , he certainly has captured his essence.

His Favorite Character On The Last Kingdom

There have been plenty of iconic characters on  The Last Kingdom  that have had a lasting impact on fans   (ranging from Finan to Alfred) so it's not at all surprising that everyone would have different favorites. Even Dreymon had revealed he had a few favorites of his own.

During an interview with  The Daily Telegraph , Dreymon informed the fans that he did love Leofric, he had a special place in his heart for Beocca since he was a great father figure and "quite funny."

NEXT:  5 Things Fans Love About Last Kingdom (& 5 Things Fans Can’t Stand)

Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Heartlock’s Alexander Dreymon

Alexander Dreymon is one of Hollywood’s most exciting young actors. Best known for his starring roles in  The Last Kingdom  and  American Horror Story , Alexander has proven he’s more than able to embody any character. This year, he’s leading the extraordinary cast of Jon Kauffman’s Heartlock, starring opposite Lesley-Ann Brandt and Erik LaRay Harvey.

Pop Culturalist spoke with Alexander about the film, how he prepared, and why he was so excited to sign on for the project.

PC: Tell us about Heartlock and your character. Alexander: Heartlock  centers around my character, Lee Haze, who has recently been incarcerated at Heartlock Prison. He starts off the film with the intention to manipulate his correctional officer in order to come up with an escape plan, but one thing leads to another and things begin to change.

PC: What initially attracted you to this project? Alexander: I had a Skype call with Jon Kauffman and I really liked his approach—that was a huge selling point for me. I also wanted to work with Lesley-Ann Brandt, who plays Tera Sharpe. I think she’s a wonderful actress and I was looking forward to working with her.

PC: How did you prepare? Alexander: The production team was awesome. They very kindly arranged for me to visit several prisons. I spent quite a bit of time with inmates; they were very generous with their time and I was able to ask them a lot of questions. That was the biggest contribution to my preparation.

PC: Your character is at the heart of the story. Which of his relationships was your favorite to explore and why? Alexander: Lee’s relationship with Tera Sharpe! It’s the most intense relationship in the film and it’s one that changes him the most. The ending is pretty shocking.

PC: How did you and Lesley-Ann approach the dynamic between your two characters? Alexander: We got along from the very start and became very good friends off set. We also had a great working relationship. If we ever wanted to try a different approach between our characters, we always had each other’s backs.

PC: There have been a rise in film and television shows involving inmates and officers. How does Heartlock differentiate itself? Alexander: I see  Heartlock  as a piece of poetry that’s wonderfully told through Jon’s script, style, lens, and characters. Lee’s an artist and embellishes the letters he sends to his girlfriend, Lily, with elaborate drawings on the envelopes. I love Tera’s journey, who goes from a hardened correctional officer to a sensitive, caring lover. Continental (played by Erik LaRay Harvey) is also unexpectedly eccentric.

To keep up with Alexander follow him on Instagram , and catch Heartlock in select theaters and On Demand now.

Kevin is a writer living in New York City. He is an enthusiast with an extensive movie collection, who enjoys attending numerous conventions throughout the year. Say hi on Twitter and Instagram !

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Horizon Line

A couple flying on a small plane to attend a tropical island wedding must fight for their lives after their pilot suffers a heart attack. A couple flying on a small plane to attend a tropical island wedding must fight for their lives after their pilot suffers a heart attack. A couple flying on a small plane to attend a tropical island wedding must fight for their lives after their pilot suffers a heart attack.

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• Trivia Jackson used duct tape to temporarily repair the leaking fuel line. Avgas, like gasoline, is a strong solvent, and would dissolve the glue on the tape, on contact.
• Goofs When Jackson was hanging outside the plane trying to get in, Sara offers to help by telling him to reach and grab her hand. Jackson, who weighs 50+ more pounds than Sara, gets pulled by her who is not supported by anything inside the plane, and he safely gets inside. In reality, she would have been pulled out of the plane after he grabs her hand. Reality runs a poor second to Artistic License.

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Who Is Allison Williams' Fiancé? All About Alexander Dreymon

Allison Williams and Alexander Dreymon welcomed a baby together in 2021

Contributor, PEOPLE

Actress Allison Williams and actor Alexander Dreymon are going strong!

The Girls star first met Dreymon on the set of Horizon Line, where they played a couple who are faced with an impossible situation when their airline pilot suffers a fatal heart attack mid-flight.

Dreymon and Williams' on-set chemistry translated off-screen, and they started dating at the end of 2019. In November 2021, the pair secretly welcomed a baby named Arlo , though the news of their son wasn't revealed until April 2022.

Later that same year, The Last Kingdom actor proposed to Williams . She was previously married to College Humor co-founder Ricky Van Veen , from whom she separated in 2019 after nearly four years of marriage.

So, who is Alexander Dreymon? Here's everything to know about the actor and his relationship with Allison Williams.

He is an actor

Dreymon is best known for starring as Uhtred of Bebbanburg in Netflix's The Last Kingdom , in which he appeared for five seasons from 2015 until the series wrapped in 2022.

During an interview on the Screen Chronicles podcast in May 2022, Dreymon's costar Eliza Butterworth shared her praise for the actor's work in the series.

"I'm going to first and foremost say it, Alexander Dreymon is the most sensational actor I think I've ever watched in my life," she said. "I was watching every episode and going, 'What can he not do?' because when he feels the feels, he feels the feels and you feel it with him."

Dreymon also starred in Christopher and His Kind , a made-for-TV film alongside Matt Smith in 2011, and he appeared in five episodes of American Horror Story: Coven in 2013.

He made his directorial debut in 2022

Dreymon made his directorial debut, something he had wanted to do "for a long time," on season 5, episode 2 of The Last Kingdom .

"The longer I was on the show, the more moments there were where I thought, 'Oh, man, I really want to grab this beast by the horns and just do it myself,' " he told Variety in March 2022. "Because I found myself just thinking in a directorial way, pretty much from moments in season 1. So it was just a matter of finding the right time."

He added: "It's not easy to find the right moment to do it simply because prepping a directing venture like that takes a few months and then there's a few months of post. So it's not easy to work that into a schedule. We already work on a very, very tight schedule. … So it's a full-time job, and then fitting a directing venture into that, I just needed to time it right. Gareth [Neame] and Nigel [Marchant], who are the producers on the show, were extremely supportive."

He grew up in France, the U.S. and Switzerland

Dreymon was born in Germany but split his time between different countries while growing up.

"I grew up between France and the United States and Switzerland for four years as well," Dreymon told The Carousel in June 2020. "And I always travel a lot. I have a very large family, and they live all over the world. So I have the advantage of being able to go to places and kind of experience it as a local. I think you just become more open to how different people live."

Dreymon has also said he could make "any place" his home.

"I always felt like I could live anywhere," he told Backstage in August 2020. "I feel like I have a lot of different homes in my life. A lot of different places in the world I feel like, when I go back to them, all my memories are here, my friends are here. I have that in Budapest now, because we've been shooting here so long."

He used to ride horses in South Dakota

Dreymon's role as Uhtred required him to learn how to ride horses properly, but it wasn't the actor's first time on horseback.

"When I was a kid, I used to live in South Dakota for a while, and I used to do quite a bit of horseback riding," Dreymon said in an interview with The Carousel . "But I never learned how to do it. I just jumped on a horse and went."

He added: "And there's no one around, so you can just ride for hours and the horse always knows the way back. So it was great fun, but I didn't learn how to horse ride. I just went with whatever the horse decided to do."

It took him six years to find work as an actor after graduating

Dreymon studied acting at London's Drama Centre, but after graduating, it would be several years before he could find steady work as an actor.

"I think things had to happen the way they happened. I didn't work for a long time after I finished theater school," he told Backstage when asked what advice he would give to his younger self. "I studied in London, and then before I actually started making a living from my work it was about six, almost seven years. I think that's the most difficult time."

He also talked about the importance of working hard as an early-career actor — even if the benefits aren't immediately tangible. "I think people that love their work, which I think is important, [are] going to be hardworking," he said. "You're going to be keeping your instrument alive. You're going to be working on your craft. You're going to be doing your homework. And you'll be ready when the opportunity comes along. The most difficult thing is to hunker down and have that grit to keep going when there's no work."

He and Williams welcomed son Arlo in 2021

Dreymon and Williams quietly welcomed a baby boy named Arlo in November 2021. However, the couple kept the news to themselves until April 2022 — when the family of three were spotted on vacation in the Bahamas. Photos revealed that they were joined by Arlo's grandfather and legendary news anchor, Brian Williams .

"They are both private people individually, and they made the decision to keep this happy news to just a small circle of family and friends," an insider told PEOPLE at the time. "But they're over the moon."

The source added that the couple "haven't been hiding or anything. They've just been doing their best to keep a low profile."

Williams opened up about becoming a first-time parent during an appearance on the Today show in January 2023.

" I'm very proud ," she said of her and Dreymon's "adorable" son. "I get, like, weird and shy when I talk about it because it's so new. But I'm obsessed with him; it's all I think about. It's just the most unbelievable adventure. I feel lucky every day."

Just ahead of Arlo's second birthday, Williams appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers , where she reflected on her son's growth.

"When I watch baby videos of him now, it feels like I'm watching him trapped in a body that didn't perform in the way that he needed," she joked. "I watch him make the sounds newborns make and I'm like, 'Oh my God, he was trying to tell us so much .' And we didn't know! We just thought he was ... you know, had a dirty diaper or something, but he was trying to ask very complex questions."

He and Williams made their red carpet debut in December 2022

In December 2022, after three years of dating, the couple made their red carpet debut at the Los Angeles premiere of Williams' film M3GAN .

Two days later, Dreymon posted a photo from the event on Instagram — and confirmed the pair's engagement .

"Premiere of M3GAN with a screaming, laughing, cheering crowd. It's the ultimate fun scarefest," he wrote. "I'm so proud of my gorgeous fiancée."

The two continued to make public appearances , notably stepping out together for the Oscars in March 2023 and New York Fashion Week in February 2024.

He likes to play pranks

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Dreymon is a prankster at heart, especially at work. In an interview with Cosmopolitan U.K. , the actor shared a funny story about a prank he and his costars played to welcome actor Harry Gilby.

"He's awesome," Dreymon said of Gilby. "It's always easier to play pranks on people right at the start because they don't know yet that you're full of s—. We knew that his makeup test was coming up, which is when our makeup designer makes him up for the first time and sends pictures to all the producers to approve."

He explained that they convinced the designer to prepare a wig styled into a black bob with fringe, akin to Prince Arthur in The Spanish Princess . "He was too shy at the beginning," Dreymon said. "He didn't know yet how much he could push [back] or how much influence he could have on it."

Dreymon concluded: "He kept saying, 'Are you guys sure? Because I feel like he's supposed to be a warrior and it doesn't really look like a warrior. He doesn't feel tough enough.' We kept it going for a long time. Since then he doesn't believe in anything we say anymore."

Related Articles

The Cast Of 'The Last Kingdom' Ranked By Net Worth

Let's take a look at the cast's total net worth they've accumulated.

The Last Kingdom is gearing up for its fifth and final season on Netflix . Uhtred of Bebbanburg is the protagonist in both The Saxon Stories novel and the television series. Uhtred is a great warrior who leads those who are loyal to him on a dangerous journey – a journey to avenge his family's death by the Danes and claim what is owed to him.

RELATED: Who Is The Richest 'Game Of Thrones' Star In 2021?

Along the way, Uhtred has been a slave, a Saxon, a Dane, and even gave the knee to King Alfred. On his quest to reclaim his birthright, he picked up a few followers on the way. This cast of warriors has made an impressive amount for the work they've done. Many you've seen before but some are just getting started in their acting careers. Let's take a look at the total net worth each cast member has accumulated.

9 Eliza Butterworth: $500,000 Net Worth

Starting off is Eliza Butterworth who portrays the wife of King Alfred also known as Lady Aelswith. Her character is fierce and opinionated and has been an integral part of the show. At the end of season four, it was unclear whether Lady Aelswith would make it to the last season or not. Eliza is an English actress best known for her roles in the series WPC 56 , DCI Banks , and of course, The Last Kingdom .

8 David Dawson: $1 Million Net Worth

David Dawson is another English actor who got fame from television programs, like The Road to Coronation Street, Ripper Street, The Secret Agent, and Luther. He also plays a vital role as King Alfred in The Last Kingdom, who faced a tragic death in season three. Dawson also appeared in the hit television series, Peaky Blinders , as the accountant of Billy Kimber.

7 Millie Brady: $1 Million Net Worth

Millie Brady, when she is not playing the part of Lady Aethelflaed, is a well-known British model. One of her earliest roles was when she appeared in the television series Mr. Selfridge in 2014. She is known for her role in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as well as for playing the daughter of Lady Aelswith and King Alfred.

RELATED: 'Game Of Thrones’ Writer George RR Martin Just Revealed What He Regrets Most

6 Ewan Mitchell: $1 Million Net Worth

One of Uhtred's loyal allies is Osferth, a monk who decides to leave his faith behind to fight with the Dane Slayer. Ewan started acting in 2015 from Fire, then went on to High Life and World on Fire. It's no question that we will be seeing Osferth standing alongside Uhtred in the final season.

5 Arnas Fedaravicius: $1.6 Million Net Worth

Arnas is both an actor and producer best known for his work in Siberian Education , Access All Areas, and The Last Kingdom. He plays the part of Sihtric who was introduced in season two as another one of Uhtred's loyal followers. This dream team of Uhtred, Osferth, Finan, and Sihtric have become absolute fan favorites​​​​.

4 Mark Rowley: $2 Million Net Worth

Rowley is a Scottish actor widely known for playing the role of Irish warrior Finan. In The Last Kingdom , he is sworn to Uhtred and is his right-hand man in battle. He met him while they were both captured as slaves and is now his second-in-command. Mark Rowley has also notably appeared in Macbeth in 2018 in addition to the 2020 miniseries The North Water .

RELATED: According To 'Harry Potter' Fans, This Character Was Handled The Worst In The Movies

3 Emily Cox: $3 Million Net Worth

In 2015, Emily Cox guest-starred on an episode of the hit Showtime series Homeland and played the character, Emily, in the 2017 series Jerks . Her breakout performance is definitely her portrayal of the feisty Brida who becomes Uhtred's nemesis. In the series, she is his closest ally until she becomes a Dane.

2 Alexander Dreymon: $4 Million Net Worth

As we all gathered, Alexander Dreymon plays the lead character Uhtred on The Last Kingdom . What you may not know was Alexander was actually in season three of American Horror Story : Coven . In 2011, Dreymon was in Resistance, in 2014 he was in Blood Ransom, and in 2020 he was in Horizon Line . His biggest success comes from his portrayal of Uhtred of Bebbanburg and the fans are sad to see him go.

“The fans have been amazing,” Dreymon explained. “It’s been a word-of-mouth thing. We’ve never had a lot of advertising. We somehow manage to survive anyway and that’s all thanks to the fans. They’re extremely supportive, extremely kind, and very enthusiastic. We’re all very grateful.”

1 Ian Hart: $20 Million Net Worth

Ian Hart captured the hearts of the fans in The Last Kingdom as the loyal and kind Beocca. He was there for Uhtred when he had nobody. Hart accumulated his massive net worth from appearing in the almighty Harry Potter films. He played Professor Quirrell, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, during Harry's first year. He also provided the voice for the evil Lord Voldemort in that film. Ian Hart has been acting since the 80s, but this movie put him on the map. It is no surprise that our beloved Beocca is sitting pretty at the number one spot.

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Alexander Dreymon is a German film and television actor, born Alexander Doetsch on February 7, 1983, in Germany. He is best known for playing Uhtred of Bebbanburg in the BBC Two's The Last Kingdom. Alexander studied in Paris and trained for three years at the Drama Center in London. After that, he performed on stages both in London and Paris. From 2010 to 2012, he starred in the French drama Ni reprise, ni echangee, and then in the British film Christopher and His Kind, opposite Matt Smith . He also portrayed Luke Ramsey in American Horror Story: Coven alongside actors like Sarah Paulson and Taissa Farmiga . In 2015, he was cast as Uhtred of Bebbanburg in the historical drama series The Last Kingdom on Netflix. This role made him famous as an actor, and he gained a large reputation and popularity.

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