‘The Last Kingdom’: Jeppe Beck Laursen (Haesten) Reveals He Films His Own Fight Scenes
In the hit Netflix series The Last Kingdom, fans have a lot of opinions when it comes to Haesten (Jeppe Beck Laursen). He’s a Dane that’s known to play both sides for his own benefit. It’s gotten him into some trouble in the show. Beck Laursen recently revealed some surprising information when it comes to filming his fight scenes. Read on to learn more.
Haesten plays for the Danes and the Saxons when it suits him
Haesten has gotten a reputation for only looking out for himself most of the time. He’ll back either side as long as it suits him personally. He has no problem betraying someone if it will get him out of trouble. In season 4, he tells Eardwulf (Jamie Blackley) that Cnut (Magnus Bruun) is headed for Ireland, when in fact it’s all a distraction so the Danes can take Mercia.
Where do Haesten’s loyalties lie?
Haesten’s loyalties lie with himself only and no one else. He’s willing to betray anyone to save his own skin. He reveals to Uhtred (Alexander Dreymon) that Cnut was the one who manipulated Aethelwold (Harry McEntire) into killing Young Ragnar (Tobias Santelmann). He even hands over Cnut’s boys to Uhtred who he has sworn to protect. Haesten seals Cnut’s death by telling Uhtred the truth, something he only did so he could survive and live to see another day.
Jeppe Beck Laursen talks about filming his own fight scenes
Beck Laursen spoke with Winter Is Coming ahead of the premiere of the new season. He talked about the casting process as well as the difficulties of filming. Fans may be surprised to learn that he films all his own fights. He also has an impressive background involved in stage fighting.
“I have a background in stunts, and had a teaching degree in stage fighting,” Beck Laursen revealed. “It’s old now, I haven’t kept up with the certificates, but I was certified teacher in stage fighting. I’ve been around swords and stage fighting a lot, so that was sort of my forte coming into the show.”
There was only 1 occasion that a stunt man was needed for Beck Laursen in a fight scene on set
It makes sense that someone so comfortable with fighting and acting would naturally do their own fight scenes. According to Beck Laursen, there has only been one time that a stunt man was needed after he slipped on snow while filming the series.
“I do everything, I do all my fights,” Beck Laursen continued. “There’s only been one occasion where my stunt man went in, but that was only because I slipped on some snow and had to take a break. For the most part though, we all do our own stuff, because we want to do that. For me, I want people when they see Haestan fighting to know that’s me fighting. It’s hard for two people to have the same body language.”
It sounds like Beck Laursen is a very talented actor in many different ways. If you don’t believe us, just watch The Last Kingdom to see for yourself.
