Who Is Osbert In The Last Kingdom?

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Last Kingdom season 5 finale.

The Last Kingdom season 5 finale introduces a teenage boy named Osbert, who arrives with the abbess Hild on the shores of Bebbanburg following Uhtred and King Edward’s conquest of the fortress. Although seemingly a mystery character at first, Osbert is quickly revealed to be Uhtred’s third living child, who was separated from his father as an infant when Uhtred fled to Northumbria in exile from Wessex. In The Saxon Stories novels by Bernard Cornwell – on which The Last Kingdom is based — Following his birth, Osbert later appears in books 7-10 yet was excluded from their depiction in the show’s season 4 and the majority of season 5. Osbert’s entrance in The Last Kingdom‘s final minutes likely means that his storyline will feature in Netflix’s upcoming spinoff film, Seven Kings Must Die — which will conclude the series’ narrative.

Osbert is the third child of Uhtred and Gisela, who are also parents to Stiorra and Young Uhtred. Gisela sadly died while giving birth to Osbert in The Last Kingdom season 3, episode 1. The infant is briefly shown in the arms of a nursemaid, as Hild informs Uhtred of Gisela’s death while he was away fighting Danes. Uhtred was the father of two other children in The Last Kingdom season 1, though his and Mildrith’s infant son passed away from an unknown cause, while his and Brida’s child was lost to a miscarriage.

After growing up in Hild’s care, Osbert faces a long-awaited reunion with his father upon entering Bebbanburg in The Last Kingdom season 5 finale. As she leads him toward the fortress, Hild tells Osbert, “I think the new lord might be able to tell you something of your origins,” implying that Osbert is not aware that Uhtred is his father. Hild also referred to Osbert in season 5, episode 9 when Uhtred expressed that he needed someone’s help in retaking Bebbanburg. Assuming Uhtred came to retrieve Osbert, Hild stressed that the boy was too young before Uhtred clarified that he in fact sought Haesten for the mission. By introducing Osbert in the series finale, The Last Kingdom not only solves the mystery of Uhtred’s estranged third child but also paves the way for his potential arc in Seven Kings Must Die.

The name Osbert carries a heavy significance in The Last Kingdom‘s overarching narrative. Uhtred, himself, was named Osbert prior to his older brother Uhtred’s death, which compelled his father to later bestow his name on his younger son. Uhtred already has a son named after himself, though naming the younger boy Osbert is just as meaningful. In The Saxon Stories novels, Osbert later becomes known as Uhtred thanks to his father’s disapproval of his older son’s Christian faith. Although Osbert’s teenage self appears later in the show than in the books, his introduction provides an intriguing development for The Last Kingdom‘s feature film to focus on.

Since The Last Kingdom season 5 finale ending marks Osbert’s first on-screen appearance since his infancy, it sets up his eventual involvement in the story, potentially in Seven Kings Must Die, which is based on the final three novels of The Saxon Stories. By neglecting to depict Uhtred and Osbert’s reunion on screen, The Last Kingdom leaves viewers guessing as to how the father and son’s relationship will unfold. In sole possession of his birthright of Bebbanburg and as Lord of Northumbria, Uhtred is certain to face competition for his newfound power. It’s eerily coincidental that Uhtred’s cousin Wihtgar’s dying words declaring that Uhtred would be killed by his own son prefaced Osbert’s reveal, setting up The Last Kingdom‘s sequel movie. Wihtgar had slain his own father to become Lord of Bebbanburg and told Uhtred that the same would happen to him, stating that it’s “the legacy of our line.” In a narrative that strongly hinges on destiny, The Last Kingdom may have foreshadowed its next twist of fate with Osbert’s arrival.

The Last Kingdom season 5 is now streaming on Netflix.

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