The Last Kingdom: Unraveling the Mystery Behind Aelswith's Absence in The Netflix Movie
Discover why Eliza Butterworth's character, Aelswith, was absent from the Netflix movie adaptation of The Last Kingdom Uncover the reasons behind her departure and the intriguing alternative project she chose instead
Summary
The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die left out major characters, including Eliza Butterworth's Aelswith, which disappointed fans.
Butterworth's depiction of Aelswith experienced a notable shift in seasons 4 and 5, evolving into a more endearing character while also providing humorous moments. Unfortunately, Butterworth had to withdraw from the film due to conflicting schedules with another undertaking.
The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die offered closure for fans, but lacked several key characters, including Eliza Butterworth's Aelswith. Butterworth played a significant role as Queen Aelswith throughout seasons 1 to 5, portraying the spirited wife of Alfred and mother of Edward and Aethelflæd. Initially disliked for her opposition to Uhtred, Aelswith underwent a remarkable transformation in seasons 4 and 5. She recognized her mistakes, aligned with Uhtred's goals, and displayed newfound humility and maturity. Aelswith even brought comic relief with her witty remarks in the final season. However, Butterworth was absent from the final episode of season 5 and The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die for a specific reason.
Eliza Butterworth Was Originally Going To Be In The Movie But Dropped Out Due To Scheduling Conflicts
Although several main characters were absent from The Last Kingdom movie due to space constraints in the story, Eliza Butterworth was an exception. The Express reported that Butterworth was initially cast for Seven Kings Must Die. Unfortunately, she was left feeling disappointed when she had to withdraw from the film to accommodate her commitment to A Town Called Malice, which was being filmed in Tenerife. Despite their efforts to accommodate her, the COVID restrictions made it impossible to proceed with both projects, leading the writers of The Last Kingdom to omit her character from the script.
Butterworth Was Right To Choose A Town Called Malice Over The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die
Although the absence of Butterworth in the movie left a noticeable void, it is widely believed by enthusiasts of the series that her decision to opt for A Town Called Malice was indeed the right one. This is primarily due to the fact that there were hardly any significant plotlines left for her character. While Aelswith could have potentially assumed the role of an advisor to either Aethelstan or Uhtred, it is undeniable that her character warranted a far more substantial narrative, given her remarkable growth throughout season 5.
Aelswith's death soon after Alfred in the Saxon Stories raises the possibility that the writers may have chosen to brutally kill her off for the sake of shocking the audience. This is evidenced by the deaths of Ingrid and Aldhelm in The Last Kingdom movie, which showed that the writers were willing to employ such tactics. It would have been heartbreaking to witness Aelswith endure a tragic fate after already enduring so much pain and loss, so it is more comforting to imagine that she passed away peacefully during the time jump, surrounded by her loved ones in her "sea view" room.
