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If you enjoyed The Last Kingdom TV show for its blend of history, fight scenes, and characters, you won't forget you're in luck. Numerous television shows deliver that same gritty, historical ferocity where blades are clashing, allegiances change, and contemporary life is worlds away.
From Viking fighters and Roman legionnaires to pirates, rebels, and kings, these programs take you directly back in time. If you like emotional richness, clever wars, or survival tales, these nine shows will have you fully invested. Prepare to shed the trappings of contemporary life and enter into fantastic worlds founded on courage and ambition.
9 TV shows like The Last Kingdom that’ll make you forget modern life ever existed
1. Vikings
If you enjoyed The Last Kingdom, then Vikings is the next logical step. It chronicles the mythic Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons as they journey, raid, and conquer throughout Europe. It weaves together myth, history, and family drama with elegance. What makes it remarkable is that it gives a realistic portrayal of Norse life and breathtaking vistas of medieval Scandinavia.
You can also see how Vikings: Valhalla, its continuation, ties up to historical events after Ragnar's time, introducing new heroes and narratives. It's gritty, emotional, and replete with loyalty and betrayal, the same that made The Last Kingdom unforgettable.
2. The Winter King
Set in Britain after the Roman collapse, The Winter King retells the tale of King Arthur as an unknown before legend. Contrary to fantasy-driven renditions, this one is real-world feeling, complete with warlords, splintered tribes, and early medieval politics. Drawn from Bernard Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles (same author as The Last Kingdom), it has that same gritty intensity and historical allure.
The 2023 release of the show reimagined Arthurian stories in a new and adult way with an emphasis on leadership, sacrifice, and loyalty. It's great if you like seeing characters evolve from chaos to power in a world that's still forging its destiny.
3. Barbarians
Barbarians transports you to Roman-occupied Germania in the Roman Empire days. It narrates the life of Arminius, a Germanic warlord who was raised by the Romans but subsequently revolted against them. The show depicts the emotional conflict of loyalty, culture, and uprising. Its depiction of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest is electrifying as well as meticulously historical.
The recently released second season on Netflix brings in additional political complexity and richer characters. With visceral action, native customs, and driving narrative, Barbarians feels unvarnished and real, revealing what it actually meant to battle for identity before civilization came along.
4. Outlander
What stands out about Outlander is its unique integration of time travel, emotional narrative, and historical richness. The protagonist, Claire, is transported from the 1940s to 1740s Scotland and meets Jamie Fraser, a Scottish Highland warrior. It’s not just a romance, it’s a regaling of the Jacobite rebellion and traditions of clan culture and the basic need of survival in a rugged pre-industrial time and place.
The later seasons even have a still engaging exploration of early colonial life in America. The incredible landscapes, Gaelic music, and authenticity of clan culture make Outlander feel like an adventure, love, and fate, intertwining a three-dimensional approach to living history.
5. Frontier
Starring Jason Momoa, Frontier brings you to 18th-century North America and the violent wars of the fur trade. It's not merely about trading; it's about survival, betrayal, and liberty in a world dominated by greed. The series is notable for its representation of Indigenous people and early settlers, something we hardly ever see in historical dramas.
Its unforgiving environment, snowbound forests, and gritty politics make for a fully immersive getaway from the contemporary world. With three brutal seasons, Frontier blends historical authenticity with brutal storytelling, making it ideal for viewers who enjoy power games and wild territories like The Last Kingdom.
6. Black Sails
Before Treasure Island, there was Black Sails. The prequel reveals the pirate world at its best, tainted by ambition, anarchy, and changing allegiances. The series delves into Captain Flint's ascent and Nassau's politics, the island base of the pirates. It's not merely an adventure; it delves into leadership, survival, and liberty in a world without structure.
Its cinematography and sea battles are stunning, and its scripting gives every single character meaning. Black Sails concluded with four compelling seasons, and it is one of the most underappreciated period dramas that beautifully encapsulates life before contemporary law and order.
7. Rome
Rome is old-fashioned, but even now it feels new to anyone who enjoys raw historical drama. It explores soldiers Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo as they watch the Roman Republic fall and Caesar's empire rise. Although it was produced years ago, the show's production quality is as good as what is produced now, and its storytelling is still strong.
Recently, it's gained a new following via streaming services, bringing new fans to its breathtaking sets and intricate political intrigue. Rome weighs epic historical happenings against individual drama, demonstrating how human desire formed ancient societies long before the modern conveniences of today.
8. The Tudors
If you like historical politics and royal drama, The Tudors is a must-see. It centers on the life of King Henry VIII, his reign, his marriages, and his hunger for power. It brings to life the beauty and brutality of the English court in a way that no other show does. With its star-studded cast featuring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, it presents a richly visualized take on one of the most dramatic periods in England's history.
Even now, it's streaming widely and frequently compared to more recent royal dramas. The Tudors shows that beneath all the crowns and titles, there were needs, betrayals, and fights for survival.
9. Spartacus: Blood and Sand
If you prefer something more intense, Spartacus is raw ancient pandemonium. It is a tale about a gladiator who leads an uprising against the Roman Empire, making rebellion into a legend. The series is famous for its graphic action, emotional complexity, and powerful performances. While previous seasons were legendary for their stylized aesthetics, the later seasons go more into politics and liberty.
It's a tale of strength, justice, and rebellion, the same ones that made The Last Kingdom so compelling. Even a decade on, Spartacus still has a dedicated following and provides that evergreen, pre-modern excitement.
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From Viking marauders to imperial monarchs and rebellious gladiators, these shows illustrate how exciting life was prior to the advancement of technology and modern convenience. Each show possesses its own appeal; some lure you in with emotional narratives, while others have you engaged based on battles and political intrigue.
If The Last Kingdom made you a historian, the following nine will keep the flame alive. Grab your sword and step back into a world ruled by honor, valor, and fate in each moment.
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