Hello Mr. Cornwell.

I’m going to make a prediction but it isn’t one I like. I think season 3 of the TV series of TLK will be the last. Here is why I think so.

First, they have asked you to make a cameo appearance. Why would they do that when they are only just over half-way through this series of books?

Second, I think Stephen Butchard has done an excellent job writing the scripts for TLK, but I also think he wrote himself into a bit of a corner. The relationship between Uhtred and Alfred has been presented so powerfully, who is going to fill that void after Alfred dies? There isn’t another character they can pull from that had such an important impact on Uhtred’s life. Readers, of course, are still very interested in what goes on with Uhtred after Alfred, but how does the TV show replace that dynamic relationship?

Third, because I like the way the show has been written, I did a little research on Stephen Butchard to find out what other projects he has been involved with. On his CV it is listed that season 3 will have 10 episodes instead of the usual 8. Hmmm. In conjunction with the two thoughts above, I think the extra two episodes are going to finish Uhtred’s story as far as the TV series is concerned by pulling out a few events from successive books and placing them after book 6. It would neatly wrap up the TV version of Uhtred’s life by giving the viewers what they would want: Uhtred offs his uncle and finally reclaims Bebbanburg.

I will be greatly disappointed if season 3 is the last of TLK, but things are just a bit too coincidental for my liking. In the world of TV entertainment, viewers have often been greatly disappointed when a great series ends before its time. Uhtred is a very interesting character to read about, and certainly one interesting enough to watch since his character has been written so well by Mr. Butchard and excellently portrayed by Alexander Dreymon.

Thoughts on my prediction?

Jason Marcus