On a standout episode of The Stream Panther Podcast, hosted by founder-producer Ajay Tambe, actor Harry McEntire delivered rare behind-the-scenes insight into one of the most chilling confrontations in recent TV history—Aethelwold’s exposure and punishment in The Last Kingdom.
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During the conversation, Ajay brought up Fans compared the unraveling of his character’s fate to another fantasy icon’s downfall: Littlefinger from Game of Thrones.
“It’s that moment of realization, right when the character thinks the ball is still in their court—then everything flips,” Ajay observed during the exchange.
McEntire agreed with the comparison, noting the emotional arc that plays out on both faces: the sudden realization that they’ve lost.
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“That Was My Favorite Scene I’ve Ever Shot”
McEntire didn’t hesitate when asked about filming Aethelwold’s final moment:
“That’s the most fun scene I’ve ever got to shoot in my career.
If I could go back and experience one day again, I’d do that day again.”
His praise extended to co-star David Dawson and director Jan Matthys, who helped create the unforgettable execution sequence.
“David’s a good friend and a phenomenal actor. We prepped the hell out of it. It was a heavy day—and an absolutely brilliant one.”
The scene, which unfolds with dramatic pacing and psychological intensity, was designed to push the viewer into believing Aethelwold might escape justice—right up until he doesn’t.
“You Go Through All the Stages of Grief”
What made the scene even more impactful, according to McEntire, was its emotional structure.
“There’s denial, bargaining, rage… and finally acceptance,” he reflected.
“When I was dragged out, saying ‘Wait, wait, wait,’ that was bargaining.
And the actual burning? That was acceptance.”
He elaborated that even though he wasn’t consciously thinking about the psychological stages during the scene, they were evident in retrospect—adding emotional weight to Aethelwold’s downfall and tying it closely to Littlefinger’s final reckoning.
“Littlefinger believes he’s still in control, right up until the point it fails.
That’s what we aimed for with Aethelwold too.”
Game of Thrones vs. The Last Kingdom: Scenes That Define Arcs
The conversation hit a high point as the two compared how both shows used courtroom reckonings as character-defining moments.
For The Last Kingdom, Aethelwold’s exposure wasn’t just a moment of punishment—it was a full-circle reckoning in a long arc of betrayal, manipulation, and cowardice.
For Game of Thrones, Littlefinger’s death brought a similar sense of delayed justice and poetic closure.
“When you see the face change, the realization hit—that’s the acting sweet spot,” said Ajay, referring to a YouTube review dissecting McEntire’s performance.
“It’s subtle, but devastating.”
Victory Isn’t Perfection—It’s Meaning
For McEntire, the scene marked a creative high point—not because it was flawless, but because it stayed true to his original instinct.
“What I always looked for as an actor, even before I knew what ‘growth mindset’ meant, was to finish a scene and think: that’s kind of what I meant.”
“And that day, I remember walking away from set thinking, yeah… that’s what I meant.”
About Harry McEntire
Harry McEntire (born 14 September 1990) is an English actor. He is known for his roles in Tower Block, for his numerous theatre roles, such as in the award-winning London production of Spring Awakening, for starring in the English localization of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 as Noah, and for playing Æthelwold in The Last Kingdom.
He has won the Best Actor Manchester Theatre Award in 2015 for his role in Billy Liar, at the Royal Exchange Theatre.
About The Stream Panther Podcast
Stream Panther Is A Global Digital Media Platform Dedicated To The Ever-Evolving World Of OTT Entertainment. With Sharp Editorial Focus And Global Reach, Stream Panther Offers In-Depth Coverage Of Streaming Giants Like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Peacock, And Paramount+—Bringing Audiences Closer To The Shows, Stars, And Storytellers Defining The Streaming Era.
What Sets Stream Panther Apart Is Its Commitment To Storytelling Beyond The Screen. Founded By Ajay Tambe, An Actor And Creative Producer With Roots In Theatre, The Platform Doesn’t Just Report The News—It Dives Into The Creative Journeys, Industry Shifts, And Human Stories Behind The Headlines.
The Stream Panther Podcast, Founded And Hosted By Ajay Tambe, Is A Global Platform Spotlighting Creative Voices Across The Streaming And Film Industries. With Exclusive Interviews, Deep-Dive Conversations, And Original Audio Stories, The Podcast Explores The Journeys Of Actors, Directors, Writers, And Producers From Hollywood To Europe And Beyond.
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