The shield wall is finally cracking as one of the most celebrated historical epics, The Last Kingdom, prepares to retreat from its long-time streaming stronghold. Fans must prepare for a significant shift in the digital landscape as the journey of Uhtred of Bebbanburg enters its final days on the platform, Netflix. Where can viewers find the epic next?

The departure of this beloved saga marks the end of an era for historical drama enthusiasts in one particular streaming platform.

The acclaimed historical drama, The Last Kingdom, is scheduled to begin its departure from the Netflix library throughout the year 2026. This removal process follows a regional schedule that appears to coincide with the anniversary of the final season release, as mentioned by What's on Netflix.

Canada will be the first major territory to see the title vanish on March 9, 2026. The United States follows later in the year with a scheduled removal date of December 9, 2026. European territories, along with Australia and the United Kingdom, will retain access to the episodes until early 2028.

Once these exclusive streaming rights expire, the series will revert to the original production company, Carnival Films. This transition means the saga could eventually find a new home on platforms such as Peacock or Amazon Prime Video, as mentioned by What's on Netflix.

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The complex history of the production explains why these digital rights are now reaching their end.

This historical masterpiece, The Last Kingdom, did not originate as a solo project but began as a collaboration between BBC Two and BBC America in 2015. The adaptation of the novels by Bernard Cornwell faced early financial hurdles that nearly halted the ambitious retelling of ninth-century England.

Netflix initially joined as a co-producer for the second installment before assuming full control for the remaining chapters. Although the series carries the branding of the service, the intellectual property remains under the ownership of Carnival Films. The streaming platform merely acquired the exclusive rights for a predetermined period following the debut of the fifth season.

This arrangement allowed the narrative to reach a satisfying conclusion that spanned forty-six episodes and a feature-length finale. Because the early seasons were birthed under the BBC, the legal architecture of the show has always been a blend of various licensing deals. The standalone film Seven Kings Must Die currently remains on the platform despite the series departure. Its later release in 2023 provides a separate licensing window that extends beyond the 2026 expiration.  

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What do you think about the departure of The Last Kingdom? Let us know in the comments.