Why Ruby Hartley’s Stiorra Wasn’t In The Netflix Movie

Though Netflix’s The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die wrapped up the story of The Last Kingdom, the movie didn’t include Ruby Harley’s Stiorra. Based on The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell, the historical drama follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon), a man born to the Saxons and raised by the Danes, who must decide between his ancestral home and his family of origin. Uhtred’s story pushes history toward the unification of England under King Alfred the Great (David Dawson).

Though The Last Kingdom concluded with Uhtred taking back his homeland, it doesn’t include the complete unification of Medieval England. The sequel movie Seven Kings Must Die steps in to complete the history, climaxing with the Battle of Brunanburh. Though the movie provided a satisfying conclusion that fundamentally completed history, it sadly left out many characters that became integral to the TV show.

The Last Kingdom Writers Didn’t Include Stiorra Because She Wasn’t Needed

Seven Kings Must Die screenwriter Martha Hillier loved the characters left out from The Last Kingdom, including Stiorra, but she and the team felt it necessary to exclude these parts because they wanted a more focused narrative. Hillier told RadioTimes.com, “[I]t’s a much more single protagonist story… it’s not an ensemble – it’s about Uhtred and Aethelstan.” With their approach to Seven Kings Must Die, Stiorra wasn’t really needed to create a cohesive story.

Additionally, based on Stiorra’s character arc in The Last Kingdom, she didn’t need more screen time. Her story had already come to a natural stopping point when Stiorra killed Brida in The Last Kingdom season 5, finally getting her revenge. Unless the screenwriters wanted to include Stiorra’s heartbreaking storyline from the books in Seven Kings Must Die, there was no point in her being there. The only change that might’ve benefited the movie without fundamentally changing the plot is mentioning her in the same way they mentioned Young Uhtred.

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The Last Kingdom’s run was packed with huge character deaths. For some, their fates were unfortunate, whereas others got exactly what they deserved.

Stiorra Would Have Likely Been Killed Off If They Had Made Season 6

If The Last Kingdom continued into season 6, the production likely would have told an altered version of The Saxon Stories‘ saddest story: Stiorra’s murder. In the books, Sigtyggr’s uncle, Skoll Grimmarson, tries to take over Stiorra and Sigtyggr’s rule in Eoferwic. When Stiorra attempts to fight back, Skoll kills her. Since Sigtryggr died in The Last Kingdom season 5, the screenwriters would’ve needed to alter the story. Skoll wouldn’t have a reason to attack Stiorra without Sigtyggr alive. Despite this, the only logical conclusion to her story in The Last Kingdom season 6 would be her death.

Source: RadioTimes.com

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die

Release Date

April 14, 2023

Director

Edward Bazalgette

Cast

Alexander Dreymon , Harry Gilby , Mark Rowley , Arnas Fedaravicius , Cavan Clerkin , James Northcote , Laurie Davidson , Elaine Cassidy

Rating

TV-MA

Runtime

111 minutes

Writers

Martha Hillier

Story By

Bernard Cornwell

Studio(s)

Carnival Films

Distributor(s)

Netflix