10 Most Intriguing Characters From The Last Kingdom

Brida’s story began in much the same way as Uhtred’s – both were captured and taken as slaves following Earl Ragnar’s victory against Uhtred’s father, before eventually being embraced as Ragnar’s adoptive children. Feisty and quick-tempered, Brida was always more inclined to follow her Danish identity than Uhtred, and when the pair were forced into the service of King Alfred, Brida was unable to adapt to her new surroundings. When Ragnar returned from Ireland, Brida cast off her Saxon identity to join him, leaving Uhtred and Wessex behind her.

Heartbreak and pain have filled Brida’s life. Everyone she’s ever loved has either been unfaithful or has been taken from her, and Brida’s confusion over Uhtred’s dedication to the Saxons has left her alienated from her oldest acquaintance. Brida’s arc is perhaps the most striking of all characters in The Last Kingdom thus far – her grief has transformed to fury, which has made her hellbent on revenge against Uhtred. Alone in the forest, Brida gave birth to child, who she claimed would be loyal to her like no other man has ever been, and she will stop at nothing to see her former lover suffer for the pain he has inflicted onto her.

It's a tragic, but ultimately understandable direction for a woman who has lost everything and feels abandoned by her last friend in the world, exquisitely brought to life by Emily Cox who has brought a renewed vigour to the character in recent series.