The Last Kingdom: Season 2

Having helped Alfred defeat the Danes in Wessex Uhtred is anxious to return to Bebbanburg and reclaim his kingdom. Accompanied by feisty nun Hild he arrives in York where Beocca and Father Hreothward lead the fight against renegade brothers Erik and Siegfrid and aim to free local lord Guthred from Uhtred's old foe Kjartan with Alfred's blessing.

Uhtred proves his worth to a grateful Guthred and when a group of horsemen arrives, claiming loyalty to Guthred but in reality sent by Kjartan. Uhtred is quick to see through their lies and all are swiftly dispatched, except one Sihtric, who agrees to change sides.

Uhtred is a galley slave on a Viking ship but Aelfric is angry that Guthred did not kill him and breaks the alliance, joining with Erik and Sigefrid to take Durham with savage violence. To appease Aelfric Guthred offers his sister Gisela in marriage but Gisela, in love with Uhtred, refuses and goes into hiding.

Married by Beocca to Gisela, Uhtred joins Ragnar and Alfred's nephew, the reluctant Aethelwold, and others including Hild and Beocca to travel north and defeat Sigefrid and Erik - and ultimately Kjarten, meeting up with Brida on the way. The town is successfully captured and Ragnar faces Kjartan in single combat, a victory for justice, though Thyra does not react as hoped.

Three years have passed. Uhtred has an estate in Wessex with Gisela and their two children. Another alliance is proposed when Erik returns, seeking Uhtred's cooperation in an attack on London. Instead Uhtred visits Eilaf, who tells him that one day he will be the ruler of all the kingdoms in England.

Alfred's daughter Aethelflaed is married to the arrogant, scheming Mercian lord Aethelraed, for whom both Uhtred and Aethelwold have nothing but disdain. Aethelraed is also a bullying husband, casting doubt on his wife's fidelity, but he manages to secure influence with the king by persuading him that Uhtred is not to be trusted.

Tricked into abandoning their camp for an abortive attack on London the Saxons and Uhtred return to find it a scene of massacre with Thyra, now married to Beocca, among the few survivors and Aethelflaed captured by the Danes and taken to East Anglia as a hostage.

Uhtred returns to Alfred, keeping Aethelflaed's secret and allowing the king to believe he can ransom his daughter, setting him at odds with Odda and Aethelwold, who propose a military intervention. To his brother's annoyance Erik falls in love for his captive with Uhtred forced to choose between rescuing Aethelflaed and proving loyal to Alfred.