Harry Gilby | Portraying Æthelstan on The Last Kingdom

Watch/listen to our conversation with Harry Gilby as we discuss his portrayal of Aethelstan in season 5 of Netflix’s The Last Kingdom. We talk about Harry's approach to playing the future king of England, his favorite moments, acting goals, our favorite moments, and much more. Make sure to check out Harry’s work in The Last Kingdom on Netflix now.
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Website: www.independenttalent.com/act...
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The Screen Chronicles Harry Gilby. (C) 2022 Copyright. All rights reserved to Colby Griffin and Steve Kozuch of The Screen Chronicles.
Music by Dan Bonnett (C) 2019. All music rights reserved to Colby Griffin and Ethan Pawlak and partnership with DP Studios.
Images and video used throughout are copyright to respective owners.
FAIR USE NOTICE
This video may contain copyrighted material; the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.

[@ketket0725]

Aethelstan was one of my favorites! I kept laughing at how somehow Uthred could hear him screaming across a forest glen, town square, battlefield…😂 loved their bond

[@samanthafitzgerel4460]

Made me wish that if I were ever in a jam that I could just tell “UHTRED!!!” and he would come running & rescue me. Lol…I have a vivid imagination. 🤣

[@awesomness36]

Easily one of the most likable characters on the show. He nailed the young idea king in training role so well

[@thescreenchronicles]

He totally did. He was a great addition

[@esther1578]

He seems super likable "in real life" as well. :)

[@luisec.5041]

He was great. In his performance one could see the solemn child, the fearsome warrior raised by Uthred and also the honourable king he will become.

[@thescreenchronicles]

Totally agree! We can’t wait to see more of him in the movie!!

[@neetichakma]

💯

[@joanseiler9236]

Loved the show and Harry fit perfectly 🥰

[@Panda72021]

I looked forward to seeing how Aethelstan had grown up being essentially raised by Uhtred. At times you can tell he's inherited a bit of Uhtred's recklessness. I loved when he reunited with Eadith and she turns to him and mentions how he was a "solemn child"; and Aethelstan basically tells her that hanging out with the 800's equivalent of frat boys will change you after a while. It was interesting to see a very brief interaction between Aethelstan and Aelfweard in this last season.

[@adj5767]

Weeeee........the real Atheling. He was a revelation this season. For me he was the best new addition. Also in my opinion, episodes 7-10 were pure spectacular TV. Love the characters, the acting and writing🥰

[@thescreenchronicles]

He really was an amazing new addition! The casting directors got this one right. Yes those last episodes are incredible!

[@adj5767]

@@thescreenchronicles yes they were, except the Brida parts. She horribly weighed down the tension that was beginning to build elsewhere else in the plot. What an irritation.🙄

[@RMFilmStudios]

I remember Harry as Young J R R Tolkien. I liked his character within the first 10 mins! Can’t wait to see what they do with his character for the film! Unite England :)

[@thescreenchronicles]

Yes he was almost instantly a new fav! So excited to see what he’ll do in the film

[@kittykatsanchez]

For such a young man, he really pulled off the gifted warrior character. Felt beyond his years

[@thescreenchronicles]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@traciekinser3551]

There needs to be a spin off of Aethelstan's story with Harry Gilby as Aethelstan!

[@thescreenchronicles]

That would be great! We’d like one with Sigtryggr too

[@esther1578]

Great idea!

[@AmyNealLong]

I love that he is so into old movies. Seems like a fun guy.

[@thescreenchronicles]

He’s super fun! And an old soul’

[@cclarke9301]

What a great young man! He’s so enjoyable to listen to and watch. No pretension, not ruined by Hollywood, such a likable and articulate guy who is wanting to explore his craft more and more. Stay sweet Harry😊

[@thescreenchronicles]

He’s awesome! We are so excited to see what he does with his career moving forward

[@esther1578]

So smart, too! He's an old soul. :)

[@darcyks]

Harry did a fantastic job and my fav new S5 character ~ looking forward to watching him as King in the movie❣️❣️❣️

[@thescreenchronicles]

We are too!! He was fantastic

[@mermer0729]

Ahhhh love this!!! Harry was incredible as Aethelstan and can't wait to see more of him in the movie. Looking forward to more interviews.

[@thescreenchronicles]

He was so good and we are so excited to see more of him!

[@carrieperkin3729]

A beautiful transformation from a child who sees himself as I am no one. Good job done by Utred. Harry you have an amazing voice it is what caught my attention to you. Happy future.

[@PinPoynter1]

Brilliant character, and what a smart and eloquent young man, with lots of good things to say about the world of TLK. Well done Harry xx

[@thescreenchronicles]

He is a pretty awesome guy as well as his character!

[@InnocentCinnamon]

He’s so great!! I just watched Just Charlie and Harry really killed that role. I saw the guy who played Osferth was also in that film, so it’s cool to see them on another project where they’re not quite so at odds. Sad that it’s over so soon though.

[@teamsigurd1902]

OOooh what a pleausre to hear the beautiful Harry Gilby. ♡ Thanks sm guys

[@thescreenchronicles]

Thanks for listening 😊

[@keepgrowing726]

Harry is so charming and vivacious 😊

[@rhej4360]

looking for his name in google and now here you are Aethelstan, you did a great job !

[@editasllamniku7874]

Hail King Aethelstan 🙌🏼👑 Harry is amazing! Loved him in the series, can’t wait to see the film. He really is an ‘old soul’ such a beautiful beautiful soul and a great actor 🤗🥰🙏🏼⚔️❤️⚔️ As always, thank you for another great interview guys 🤗🥰🙏🏼

[@thescreenchronicles]

He really was amazing! Thank you for the kind words Edita we always enjoy hearing from you! 😊

[@leehallam9365]

What a lovely young man! He was great in the show.

[@thescreenchronicles]

He really did an awesome job!

[@xjiminkook]

Oh my god! One of the best interviews of your channel!! Loved the questions you made and Harry seems so to be so nice!! Thank you for sharing with us 🥰

[@rav8149]

I love how Athelatan was an absndoned Boy who grew into a learned warrior. I love how cute the boy was who played him in season 4 too. Heartwrenching how a father can abandon his child like that and amazingly hearrwarming how Uhtred sihtric osferth finan n others took care of him.

[@thescreenchronicles]

Couldn’t agree more!!

[@phoenixrose1192]

Edward didn’t really have a choice, did he? He had to send Aethelstan away to protect him. It’s obvious he cares about his son, which makes the whole scenario even more tragic. “I’ve often wondered about you” clearly meant he thought about him every single day! 😢 I mean even Aethelstan himself realises this in S5 after he got over the initial daddy issues in EP5, hence the unflinching loyalty he demonstrated. One of my favourite quotes from Aethelstan is: “It is madness, but we must follow”. I think it was EP9? In another life I’m pretty sure he would have loved to bring up his own son with the woman he actually loved…

[@rav8149]

@@phoenixrose1192 very true. Thinking about all this, so much was sacrificed for the freedoms we have. We MUST protect it with all the common sense we can muster.

[@ehbendisdonc44]

Swoooon! Definitely crushin on Harry :’) casting director was spot on; so great in the role

[@thescreenchronicles]

He was perfect for the role!

[@erikahoopingarner9428]

He is amazing as Aethelstan ,he looks like Edward and Alfred and Aelswith,and such a great actor

[@nickieverdeen7952]

ugh hes so cute! i love him!

[@8Paul7]

Great actor, gave Aethelstan real charisma. I could totally see him as future king. The child Aethelstan was also perfectly cast though. This whole show is just packed with great people.

[@elizabethrodriguez2788]

Omg!!!! Athelstan cannot get enough of him .he was awesome 💖 😍 ❤️ ❣️

[@taracat7141]

Ben Mendelssohn has been my favourite Actor for years.... until TLK. He is well famous here in Australia 🇦🇺 This young guy is so intelligent and basically took over the interview! Can't wait to see his career grow💙💛💚🙏

[@princessmoon8014]

He's so handsome..

[@robertflores2282]

I’m reading the 11th book in the series and I love reading about anything having to do withAthelstan. Mainly because of the impression Harry made on me by his portrayal

[@EmelineKa]

It's kind of funny that Harry says that everyone's assisting Uhtred story (and maybe it was in season 1 and 2) but I definitively see it like Uhtred assisting Alfred, Edward and Athelstan stories. About that first battle during the ambush I loved how Athelstan yelled for Uhtred to come and help him like he's finally not ready (and I think it happens again in an other episode). Anyway I like TLK so much and watching your videos guys is the best way to practice English 🤩

[@thescreenchronicles]

So glad we help in your journey to learn English 😊 thanks for your support!!!

[@katymcpherson7925]

AWESOME podcast, guys! ❤️

[@isi6845]

He is doing an awesome job in the last kingdom! He kinda reminds me of Timothee Chalamet 😄

[@thescreenchronicles]

We can see the resemblance!

[@calebanderson7167]

We need Alex now

[@catherinegabbert4181]

I just love the last kingdom and the actors they are so awesome and amazing actors i really enjoyed the last kingdom i watched it 5 times already

[@katymcpherson7925]

Harry mentioned his character is quite different in the film… so I’m intrigued!

[@thescreenchronicles]

He should be quite different! We can’t wait to find out!

[@isacamargoh99]

He's such a cutie, i love the movie and his development 💕

[@thescreenchronicles]

Colby is quite cute but I don't know of he's really developed at all...

[@cgimotorsports]

Awesome performances in The Last Kingdom Harry. Kudos on your newly found success. The very best of luck in all your future endeavors

[@thescreenchronicles]

We think his future is very bright!!

[@GDRaptorFan13]

Great interview! He was great, and amazing in the series. I’m so impressed!

[@thescreenchronicles]

Thank you!! He was really amazing, he has such a promising career ahead of him!

[@rozziny3888]

We need to see the king of all England in the movie!

[@thescreenchronicles]

Yes we do!!

[@purplespark8]

Liked the 'Destiny is all' at the end

[@js1423]

Good to see more interviews again! Curious if you guys will interview Eysteinn Sigurðarson, Micki Stoltt or Jaakko Ohtonen?

[@thescreenchronicles]

Thanks! Glad to be doing them. We’d love to talk to them all

[@esther1578]

Thanks for interviewing him! Seems like a really "old soul". :)

[@thescreenchronicles]

Thanks for watching! He is! We loved having him on the podcast

[@esther1578]

@@thescreenchronicles Oh and he's 100% correct! Philip Seymour Hoffman was so talented. Such a loss.

[@vallager3050]

Easy going interview. He is similar to Tom Holland in that way. Interesting that he thought you two knew more than he did about the show. Again, great job!

[@thescreenchronicles]

Haha that was interesting! Thank you 😊

[@jillwakefield3831]

Loved this young man! Hope he watches this and realises how many times he says 'like'.

[@maxlawson9264]

I’ll pass it onto him ahaha

[@elizabethesposito240]

Athelstan is my favorite character

[@thescreenchronicles]

Such a great character!!

[@elizabethesposito240]

@@thescreenchronicles watch history of vikings dr gene kim on KZbin

[@frankyvielle2699]

Young Uhtred was a great actor, even when he only had one episode but he killed it.

[@ruthkhiam1889]

He is so cute... He must be protected

[@thescreenchronicles]

Protect him at all costs! 😂

[@elizabethesposito240]

Amen in Jesus Christ

[@jennifercannon2228]

Seeing Boy Athelstan in season 4 left me wanting to see more , sort of like in Season 1 episode 1 the first thing you see this sassy little boy, what he goes through and wanting to see what happens to him. Great introductions

[@jennifercannon2228]

Great Acting!

[@mastermorphosis]

So cute, he is going to be a handsome talented man for sure!

[@angelastewart7047]

Great king in training!

[@adj5767]

Shocked that you guys have never heard of Bridges of Madison County.

[@erikahoopingarner9428]

Id love to play one liners w him, and bridges of Madison County is really famous im glad he knows his films for so young

[@EmelineKa]

52:05 this is the first time he called Edward "father" right?

[@purplespark8]

While watching series like these, ignorance can be bliss. I personally did not know Athelstan goes on to be king. I had watched the Vikings version of Athelstan die, so I was expecting this show's version to die as well. So it was exhilarating watching him

[@KristiinaBerg]

Different Aethelstan.

[@purplespark8]

@@KristiinaBerg Yeah. I didn't know then. That is why it was bit more exciting for me to watch the character. If I had known he was going to be king, I would be sure he wouldn't die and it would make it less exciting

[@kathywindsor9666]

He was so good as good looking

[@yaz1403]

,🤩💓

[@adj5767]

Has Colby seen all this?? Hope you're not spoiling things for him😱

[@thescreenchronicles]

Haha yes, nothing was spoiled

[@katymcpherson7925]

I wonder if we will see Aethelstan’s mother in the film, or his twin sister. Season 5 did not touch on either of those characters.

[@thescreenchronicles]

Great thoughts! Would be nice to see Egcwynn and him interact at the very least

[@charlabarron9586]

Hei .. Hoale’.. Yep!! Still Mighty.. Mighty KOA’s .. of Leo…& Omme Omme She’She.. icing 🧁 on top !!! Boom 💥!!! Peeped & devoured.. Last Kingdom.. NEW!! All of it .. no crumbs left over .. L O V E D.. every minute!!! ❤️…Wish’in we could’ve watched together.. 😊.. Movie .. on my sites .. 🎯 … Hugs to the 2 of U’s….. March on TLK.. in to History ..!!! Audacious.. Ma PONO!! 💋

[@thescreenchronicles]

Charla! Love hearing from you! Such a good season! Thanks for your support 😊

[@coolshah1662]

Man, he's hot ef!

[@jennifercannon2228]

Bridges of Madison County , 💯

[@just_anynomouse298]

Did Utred died at the end hopefully not and we to get new season

[@evanjones6840]

Aelfweard is so inferior to aethelstan

[@thomasmain5986]

Didn't like it they made Athelstan the Gay Idiot, in the "Movie" lazy writing with no real historical basis. It should have been a season not a rushed two hour tv movie. the battle was less epic than the show ?

[@sunflowervol.6583]

homophobia is so outdated 😂

[@thomasmain5986]

@@sunflowervol.6583 So why mention it, we are talking about fact's, not Homophobia, so if Athelstan was portrayed as Tran's would it be Transphobic, to say he wasn't. 🤣

[@thomasmain5986]

@@sunflowervol.6583 A comment I made to another, as we want it, not as it was, "Historian?" Totally fake extrapolation of history, we do not know anything about Athelstan's sexuality because there are no records. We do know that Athelstan had a agreement with his brother Edward, that the younger Edward would become King once Athelstan died (Athelstan was murdered) So Athelstan was obliged to have no known children, to prevent a war of succession, that does not mean he was gay, it means that even if he had hundreds of women as sexual partners, it would not have been recorded, because only legitimate birth's were recorded, he also could not marry as any offspring would have claim to the throne. Also Sodomy was a sin, you could not be openly gay and King (even in private there were no secrets in a royal court, spies everywhere) it had to be a absolute secret, clearly not possible. So what we have is a desperate and tenuous effort to make a King of England Gay, the books were fiction the show is fiction not history.

[@sleepinsheep3333]

The choice makes sense how they wrote it and with the historical context... it explains why he never married or had children and introduces a reason why he as a Christian could be manipulated by his guilt and feelings of anger/need to repent. We don't know if he was gay or not, but for the purpose of storytelling him being gay makes things more interesting and moved the plot forward in a way that makes sense. Just say gay characters make you uncomfortable lol, if you care about historical accuracy there are bigger things to harp on