The Last Kingdom’s Adrian Schiller Dead at 60

Adrian Schiller, who played cunning villain Aethelhelm on Netflix’s The Last Kingdom, has passed away at the age of 60, our sister site Deadline reports.

“It is with the heaviest and saddest hearts that we announce the death of our beloved client, Adrian Schiller, on Wednesday April 3,” his agent Amanda Evans said in a statement. “He has died far too soon, and we, his family and close friends are devastated by the loss… Adrian enjoyed a varied and successful career across all media. Our deepest condolences go to his family, who ask for privacy at this most difficult of times.”

More from TVLine

• TVLine Items: Daredevil Recast Reversed, Hacks Star's Stand-Up Special and More

• John Mulaney to Host Live Netflix Comedy Series Everybody's In L.A. - Watch Teaser, Get Premiere Date

• RHOC's Josh Waring, Son of Cast Member Lauri Peterson, Dead at 35

No cause of death has been made public, but the statement described Schiller’s death as “sudden and unexpected.”

Schiller had a long list of film and television roles, but the London native may be best known to American audiences as Aethelhelm, who schemed to install his grandson on the throne of England on Netflix’s historical epic The Last Kingdom. Schiller was a series regular in the show’s last three seasons, with Aethelhelm rising to become the show’s primary villain in the fifth and final season. In the series finale, a defeated Aethelhelm took his own life rather than face justice for his crimes.

Schiller also played footman Mr. Penge on PBS Masterpiece’s Victoria, starring Jenna Coleman as the titular British queen. His other TV credits included Doctor Who, Death in Paradise and Raised by Wolves. He also appeared in films such as The Danish Girl, Suffragette and Disney’s live-action reimagining of Beauty and the Beast.

TV Stars We Lost in 2024

View Gallery31 Images

Best of TVLine

• 'Missing' Shows, Found! The Latest on Hacks, The Orville, Snowpiercer and 20+ Others

• Summer TV Calendar: Your Guide to 85+ Season and Series Premieres

• Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Showtime Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?)

Get more from TVLine.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter