Last Kingdom: Why did Ian Hart leave the series as Beocca? Star defends death
LAST KINGDOM season 4 dropped some major plot twists and fans were sad to see Beocca die. Why did Ian Hart leave the series as Beocca?
The Last Kingdom: Father Beocca is killed in dramatic scene
The Last Kingdom season four is on Netflix now, but one of the most popular characters will not be featuring in season five. At the start of season four, fans saw Father Beocca (played by Ian Hart) join Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon) on a mission to claim back the warrior's homeland. Viewers are wondering why Hart left the series as Beocca and one of the stars has defended his death.
Why did Ian Hart leave The Last Kingdom?
Season four of The Last Kingdom was emotional from the get-go as fans said goodbye to one of the main characters.
Beocca and Uhtred had been best friends, and fans had come to love their brotherly relationship.
However, when Beocca went to Bebbanburg to help Uhtred fight for his birthright, he was killed.
Uhtred's cousin ended up shooting an arrow and Beocca jumped into the firing line in order to save Uhtred's son - young Uhtred (Finn Elliot).
There were plenty of tears following Beocca's death so early on in the series, but executive producer Nigel Marchant said it needed to happen.
READ MORE: The Last Kingdom: Was the series actually filmed at Bamburgh?
He told Variety: "It was really hard to lose Ian Hart, who is such a fantastic actor, but we've always tried to show that the battles have real consequences.
"That is then folded in with Uhtred's impetuousness in feeling that this is the right moment to retake Bebbanburg, without fully realising the repercussions.
"So he loses his father figure, the person that has always been there for him, has guided him, has fought with him, has been his moral compass in many ways."
Actor Hart, who is also known for his role as Professor Quirrell in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, had been a part of The Last Kingdom cast since 2015.
Speaking about being part of the show for season four, he said: "The highlight of doing this job is the people. The crew are delightful people.
"The cast are lovely. When you stand in the middle of a cold field, the only element that can keep you going are the people.
"The people on this job have become friends – they are endlessly kind and endlessly helpful. It would be so much less bearable without all the kindness that is ever-present on this set."
The strong relationship between the cast is obvious both on and off-screen, particularly with Beocca and Uhtred.
Despite not being a part of the series anymore, Hart said he would always love the look of the show.
He said: "It looks fabulous. The people that do the sets do an incredible job. Whenever I bring friends or family, my wife and brother-in-law came, they are always so impressed.
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"It’s grown over the years. The Wessex set itself – you get a sense of streets and the formation of what a town might have been as a post-war village.
"As the wealth of Wessex grows and recedes, you see the change of that whole thing. And similarly, with Bebbanburg, this kind of fortress, you can’t praise highly enough.
"It’s incredible what they do. It must be a great job in a way, you get to envisage something and then draw it out and then a bunch of people make it for you."
Dreymon said Beocca was the only one who had been there for Uhtred throughout his entire journey.
Beocca had known Uhtred since birth and he appreciated the struggles he had faced when it came to deciding his allegiance.
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Fans have shared their thoughts about Hart as Beocca on Twitter, with one saying: "Father Beocca is rapidly becoming my favourite character in The Last Kingdom."
Another fan said: "Damn it, you got me The Last Kingdom. Crying over here with Uhtred grieving Beocca."
While some fans found his death a total shock, others said they "could see it coming a mile away".
His death scene touched many fans who had grown to love his humour and love for Uhtred.
Another fan said: "Damn I felt something when Father Beocca died in The Last Kingdom."
The Last Kingdom is on Netflix now
