STACK #142 Aug 2016

DVD & BD FEATURE

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Love a bit of antiquity in your TV shows? Add these to your must-see list of historical dramas. Wolf Hall Based on the excellent book by Hilary Mantel, Mark Rylance’s superb depiction of Henry the VIII’s wheeler and dealer, Thomas Cromwell, makes for compelling viewing. Rome Written by John Milius and telling the story of two ordinary soldiers during the chaotic time of Caesar’s civil war, Rome depicts all the treachery, brutality, love and lust associated with the Roman Republic. Let’s Get Historical!

History in the making Alexander Dreymon is an up-and-coming actor you may recognise from American Horror Story: Coven . His latest venture, The Last Kingdom , is currently filming its second season in Budapest. Words: Alesha Kolbe

occasionally his work gets in the way of his personal life. “I don’t mind it during the day at all, it’s just when you go out at night and you haven’t had time to take everything off, you get crazy looks," he says. "I wasn’t let back into my hotel room because of the dirt and everything once.” As for why shows like The Last Kingdom, Game of Thrones and Vikings are becoming so popular, Dreymon believes it has much to do with the relatability of the characters. “The problems that people had back then are very similar to the problems we have now. People are still people; there’s still love, there’s still hate. I think there was just more freedom to act on your emotions back then, which isn’t always the best thing. I hope, anyway, the way we portray these characters is in a very realistic way, and very down to earth. Most of the characters in The Last Kingdom are historical figures. They just don’t know they’re making history as they’re doing it. It’s just another day for them. As you may be able to discuss divorce while you’re doing the dishes, those guys were able to create or diffuse kingdoms while having breakfast.”

about 45 minutes to an hour – it’s not that bad. I usually have about an hour in the car which I use just going through the script; it’s an hour of silence where I can work, which is great. And then I get about 45 minutes to put all the scars on and the dirt – I think the main part is the dirt; it gets under your nails.” Dreymon confesses that As you may be able to discuss divorce while you're doing the dishes, those guys were able to create or diffuse kingdoms over breakfast

J ust one of the many current takes on brutal history, The Last Kingdom was always going to be a sure-fire hit in the eyes of Alexander Dreymon. “The biggest appeal for me was the vision that Nick Murphy had,” notes the series' star. “He was the first director, and was very much involved in the style of The Last Kingdom ; he directed the first two episodes of Season One. His work was almost documentary-style; he’d let us loose on the playground of the set, which is incredibly real and detailed, and we’d play and live in the world. He’d follow us with the cameras, see what he could get, and if it didn’t work he’d come in and adjust it.” Dreymon notes the inclusion of what Murphy called a 'Golden Take' – one the director could use for the entire scene if need be: “We weren’t married too much to continuity; it was great fun.” Taking into account the time period of the drama – the 9th century – a lot of work went into depicting an authentic setting. “There’s a whole orchestra of people around. The really impressive part is how much work goes into everything before we even start filming; there’s months and months of work and people scouting locations and building sets,” Dreymon says. According to the actor, it takes just under an hour for him

DVD & BD

Vikings

Plundering the coasts of England and France makes for exciting television as Ragnar Lothbrok and his band of bearded warriors hack and slash their way through the 8th century.

Black Sails

This is Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag in a TV show, and a great TV show it is. Featuring all of the epic names in pirate history, Black Sails is a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island . Rated Arrr!

• The Last Kingdom: Season 1 is out August 4

to prepare for shooting: “In the morning it takes

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