@History @HistoryVikings #Vikings Season Five Episodes 1-10 Highly Recommended by Whom You Know
Long ago, we were one of the first to brag about Vikings.
Monica and Susan at The History Channel can take credit for that; we just found the old email from 2013 where we first learned about it. Peachy is quite organized. It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we love love love love love the History Channel as evidenced by Peachy Deegan's B.A. in American History from Boston College (and you can follow the History Department here...). It is highly likely that Peachy has Viking blood, as do many Boston College Eagles. As Whom You Know has grown, we have not been able to keep up with every aspect of everything, but Vikings 5 was a priority for us and it should be a priority for you too. Vikings 5 is the second best show that we have seen in 2017; the best was The Last Post by the BBC which you can see on Amazon Prime starting December 22 in the USA (click here to see the trailer).
We Highly Recommended Vikings Series 1
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2014/02/small-screen-scenes-metro-goldwyn-mayer.html
Monica and Susan at The History Channel can take credit for that; we just found the old email from 2013 where we first learned about it. Peachy is quite organized. It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we love love love love love the History Channel as evidenced by Peachy Deegan's B.A. in American History from Boston College (and you can follow the History Department here...). It is highly likely that Peachy has Viking blood, as do many Boston College Eagles. As Whom You Know has grown, we have not been able to keep up with every aspect of everything, but Vikings 5 was a priority for us and it should be a priority for you too. Vikings 5 is the second best show that we have seen in 2017; the best was The Last Post by the BBC which you can see on Amazon Prime starting December 22 in the USA (click here to see the trailer).
We Highly Recommended Vikings Series 1
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2014/02/small-screen-scenes-metro-goldwyn-mayer.html
Series 2
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2015/02/historys-hit-drama-series-vikings-sails.html
We are still bragging about it!
What do we love about Vikings 5 Episodes 1-10?
Let us count the ways.
First of all, it has great writing.
There is no great show where there is no intelligent plot. The thought process of the writers is simply phenomenal and we were completely tuned in during the entire ten episodes. Sometimes we lose interest as a plot crescendos and decrescendos however in Vikings 5, there are so many plots that are of equal importance to the viewer smartly weaved through the script that you cannot miss anything. We were so enraptured that Peachy DID NOT EVEN EAT while she watched the ten episodes. In case you do not read our culinary reviews, this is really saying something.
Second of all, it has both gorgeous and appropriate costumes, props and sets that include Ireland. Peachy was born to be a walking talking advertisement for Celtic pride which was absolutely her grandmother's idea (see our Facebook page) and you would have had to have known her to understand this. The color combinations are all in tune with the story and the history from setting to clothing to Viking ships. If these aspects do not support the story well, the viewer does not see such a strong show but since they do in Vikings 5, their beauty is strikingly in place.
Thirdly, the acting is phenomenal. Of course since time travel is still not possible, there is no way to actually verify if the Vikings acted and behaved this way. But our Celtic genetics feel like they would have. There are no weak aspects of the cast and everyone is highly impressive. They perfectly execute the well-written script, and if they were not as terrific as they are it would have been a shame for the amazing script. We do not know, have never met and have never interviewed anyone in this cast. If we had to pick just one, Katheryn Winnick is the most impressive and we really like how women are treated as equals in this show right up to being on the front line as warriors.
Finally, we are fabulously impressed by how well this show carries momentum and does not compromise excellence. It pains us when a show is not as good as it once was, and that is not the case here at all. Many shows cannot stay on top once they are on top, and we can't wait to see the next 10 episodes. Also, they are always presenting new aspects like the settings of Paris and the sands of Arab lands that show great contrast to the Emerald Isle. New characters add life and we of course hate to see the old ones die, but that is how it goes...Vikings 5 is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know!
We are still bragging about it!
What do we love about Vikings 5 Episodes 1-10?
Let us count the ways.
First of all, it has great writing.
There is no great show where there is no intelligent plot. The thought process of the writers is simply phenomenal and we were completely tuned in during the entire ten episodes. Sometimes we lose interest as a plot crescendos and decrescendos however in Vikings 5, there are so many plots that are of equal importance to the viewer smartly weaved through the script that you cannot miss anything. We were so enraptured that Peachy DID NOT EVEN EAT while she watched the ten episodes. In case you do not read our culinary reviews, this is really saying something.
Second of all, it has both gorgeous and appropriate costumes, props and sets that include Ireland. Peachy was born to be a walking talking advertisement for Celtic pride which was absolutely her grandmother's idea (see our Facebook page) and you would have had to have known her to understand this. The color combinations are all in tune with the story and the history from setting to clothing to Viking ships. If these aspects do not support the story well, the viewer does not see such a strong show but since they do in Vikings 5, their beauty is strikingly in place.
Thirdly, the acting is phenomenal. Of course since time travel is still not possible, there is no way to actually verify if the Vikings acted and behaved this way. But our Celtic genetics feel like they would have. There are no weak aspects of the cast and everyone is highly impressive. They perfectly execute the well-written script, and if they were not as terrific as they are it would have been a shame for the amazing script. We do not know, have never met and have never interviewed anyone in this cast. If we had to pick just one, Katheryn Winnick is the most impressive and we really like how women are treated as equals in this show right up to being on the front line as warriors.
Finally, we are fabulously impressed by how well this show carries momentum and does not compromise excellence. It pains us when a show is not as good as it once was, and that is not the case here at all. Many shows cannot stay on top once they are on top, and we can't wait to see the next 10 episodes. Also, they are always presenting new aspects like the settings of Paris and the sands of Arab lands that show great contrast to the Emerald Isle. New characters add life and we of course hate to see the old ones die, but that is how it goes...Vikings 5 is Highly Recommended by Whom You Know!
HISTORY’s hit drama series “Vikings” returns on Wednesday, November 29 at 9 PM ET/PT with a two-hour season five premiere, it was announced today from San Diego Comic-Con International. An exclusive trailer of the new season was unveiled during the “Vikings” cast panel this evening at Comic-Con.
Across all platforms, the last season of “Vikings” averaged 7.8 million viewers per episode. “Vikings” is a top five drama across ad supported cable and averaged 4.1 million total viewers last season in Live+7 delivery. Additionally, the series reached 34.3 million total viewers in linear Live+7.
"Vikings’ is about bold storytelling. When Michael Hirst told us his epic plans for the season premiere, we needed two hours to tell it properly,” said Arturo Interian, Senior Vice President, Scripted Programming, HISTORY. “Season five is taking our Vikings to uncharted lands we’ve never seen on the series before.”
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (“The Tudors”) joins the cast in season five as “Bishop Heahmund” along with series regulars Katheryn Winnick (“Lagertha”), Gustaf Skarsgård (“Floki”), Alexander Ludwig (“Bjorn”) and Alex Høgh Andersen (“Ivar the Boneless”).
Season five begins with Ivar the Boneless asserting his leadership over the Great Heathen Army, while Lagertha reigns as Queen of Kattegat. Ivar’s murder of his brother Sigurd sets the stage for vicious battles to come as Ragnar’s sons plot their next moves after avenging their father’s death. Bjorn follows his destiny into the Mediterranean Sea and Floki who is suffering from the loss of his wife Helga, takes to the seas submitting himself to the will of the Gods. This season is full of startling alliances and unbelievable betrayals as the Vikings fight to rule the world.
“Vikings” is the critically acclaimed series from creator and sole writer Michael Hirst (Academy Award® winning film Elizabeth and the Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated series “The Tudors”) and is a family saga that tells the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of the raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages.
Hirst serves as executive producer along with Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo; “The Tudors”), Sheila Hockin (“The Tudors,” “The Borgias”), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (“The Tudors,” “The Borgias”), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, and James Flynn (“The Tudors,” “The Borgias”). Arturo Interian serves as the executive in charge of production for HISTORY. “Vikings” is an international Irish/Canadian co-production by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. MGM Television serves as the worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada. “Vikings” is produced in association with Corus Entertainment.
About HISTORY® HISTORY®, now reaching more than 96 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network’s all-original programming slate features a roster of signature series including Pawn Stars, American Pickers, The Curse of Oak Island, Alone as well as the hit drama series Vikings and SIX. The HISTORY website is located at history.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/history and Facebook at facebook.com/history.
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
Katheryn Winnick “Queen Lagertha” Entertainment Weekly declared Katheryn Winnick’s role as “Lagertha” may be the “most exciting feminist character on TV.” Her portrayal of the fierce shield maiden has garnered her several impressive nominations including a nomination for a Critic’s Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2015), a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Performance by a Lead Dramatic Actress (2014), Best Actress in a Drama Series by the Women’s Image Network in both 2014 & 2015 and a Golden Maple Award nomination for Best Actress in a TV Series. In addition to these prestigious nominations, Winnick won the Serendipity Film’s Award of Excellence at the Banff World Media Festival in 2015.
Winnick most recently appeared in Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” opposite Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. Next up she will star in “Cigarette,” the upcoming film about speedboat racing champion and multimillionaire, Ben Aronoff and the feature film “Geostorm” scheduled for release early this year. Winnick’s other credits include roles in such movies as “50 First Dates,” “Love and Other Drugs,” “Killers” and “Stand up Guys.” She also starred in the comedy drama “Cold Souls,” which received a best ensemble performance nomination in the 2009 Gotham Independent Film Awards.
Off the big screen, Winnick is no stranger to TV; she has had numerous television appearances including roles in “Person of Interest,” “House,” “CSI,” “Law and Order” and a notable recurring role on the hit primetime series, “Bones.”
In 2015, Winnick was named brand ambassador for luxury Swiss watch company Raymond Weil and is currently the face of their 2016 elegant and feminine SHINE Collection. Winnick proudly endorses the brand of watches, which celebrates both the strength and beauty of the active modern woman worldwide.
In addition to acting, Winnick is an accomplished martial artist who holds a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a second-degree black belt in Karate. By twenty-one she had founded and owned three martial arts schools. After completing her university education at York University, Toronto, Winnick went on to successfully pursue an acting career in New York and subsequently Los Angeles.
Gustaf Skarsgård “Floki” Gustaf Skarsgård is an internationally acclaimed film, television, and theater actor. Skarsgård started acting at six years old. He fell in love with the craft early on and kept working throughout his entire childhood. He was accepted at the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts at the record early age of eighteen. After graduating in 2003 he became an ensemble member of the Royal Dramatic Theatre (Sweden’s National Theatre). Skarsgård starred in many European cinematic successes: the academy award nominated Evil (nominated for a Guldbagge for Best Supporting Actor, Sweden’s highest cinema honor), Kidz in da Hood (winning a Guldbagge for Best Actor), and Patrik 1.5 (nominated for a Guldbagge for Best Actor). In 2007 he received the European Film Academy’s prestigious Shooting Star Award. In 2010 he returned to the Theatre to star in “Hamlet” as the title role, to great critical acclaim. Skarsgård has most recently been cast as a series regular in the second season of the multi-Emmy nominated breakout sci-fi western “Westworld.” His recent films include the independent psychological thriller VI, Peter Weir’s The Way
Back (starring opposite Ed Harris and Colin Farrell), and the Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated adventure drama Kon-Tiki.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers “Bishop Heahmund” Jonathan Rhys Meyers continues to land leading roles opposite today’s hottest film actors and directors and has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most sought after leading men. Born in Ireland, Rhys Meyers made his film debut in “A Man of No Importance,” but it was his starring role in Todd Haynes’ “Velvet Goldmine” in 1998 that gained him international attention and a London Film Critics Circle Award. Rhys Meyers also earned critical acclaim for his role in the edgy Woody Allen film “Match Point.” Dubbed as Allen’s “comeback,” the film was nominated for three Golden Globes including “Best Picture.” The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005 with Rhys Meyers winning the festival’s Chopard Trophy for Male Revelation. Rhys Meyers is also recognized for his role as the girls’ soccer coach in the award-winning sleeper hit “Bend It Like Beckham” along with other notable film credits including a starring role in Mira Nair’s “Vanity Fair”. His film credits include Neil Jordan’s “Michael Collins,” Kirsten Sheridan’s “August Rush,” “Telling Lies in America,” Mike Figgis’ “The Loss Of Sexual Innocence,” Ang Lee’s western "Ride with the Devil,” Roland Emmerich’s “Stonewall,” the spy thriller “Damascus Cover”, Derrick Borte’s “London Town” and the psychological thriller “Black Butterfly” opposite Antonio Banderas. Rhys Meyers most recently finished shooting Julien Landais’s “The Aspern Papers”. He has also worked with such talented directors as Michael Radford, Oliver Stone, Julie Taymor, Luc Besson and Harald Zwart. Rhys Meyers has garnered 2 Golden Globe Award nominations for his role as Henry the VIII in “The Tudors” and was rewarded with a Best Actor Globe and Emmy nomination for his starring role in the television miniseries “Elvis”. Among his television credits is the drama “Dracula”, which he also produced.
Alexander Ludwig “Bjorn” Alexander Ludwig was recently seen in the thriller, “Go With Me” opposite Julia Stiles and Anthony Hopkins, “Final Girl,” opposite Abigail Breslin and Wes Bentley and “The Final Girls” in which he stars opposite Malin Akerman and Nina Dobrev. Ludwig grew up in Vancouver, Canada, and after beginning his acting career at age nine with a string of successful commercial and television parts, he landed the starring role of Will Stanton in the action-adventure “The Seeker: The Dark is Rising” in 2007.
Previously, Ludwig appeared in diverse films such as Lone Survivor directed by Peter Berg, “Grown Ups 2” and “When The Game Stands Tall.” In 2012 Ludwig played “Cato,” the antagonist, in the box-office smash-hit “The Hunger Games.” Ludwig also starred in the hugely successful “Race to Witch Mountain” opposite Dwayne Johnson and Carla Gugino.
Ludwig’s talents extend beyond acting and filmmaking; he is a gifted musician and an avid outdoorsman. In his free time Ludwig can be found competing in extreme freestyle ski competitions on Whistler Mountain, or surfing the California coast.
Alex Høgh Andersen “Ivar the Boneless” Born and raised in a small town southwest of Copenhagen, Alex Høgh Andersen discovered his love for acting while studying drama at a school for young children between the age of 7 and 19. It was there he learned the basics of acting including the discipline, focus and teamwork it takes to succeed in the business. Andersen participated in many musical oriented plays and was fortunate to gain a lot of experience with many big roles. As his peers began auditioning for film roles, Anderson at age 17 realized the difference between acting roles in front of an audience versus in front of a camera. This translated into Andersen’s work and he began auditioning and continuing to study Film and Media Studies at the University of Copenhagen. Andersen appeared in numerous television and film projects in Denmark.
When he is not acting, Andersen enjoys spending much of his time focusing on photography. He considers himself a visual minded person; he continues to learn more and more about cameras due to his experience shooting and directing short films. Andersen also gives back when he has the chance to charities such as Unicef, Care Denmark, and Kræftensbekæmpelse (Fighting Cancer). He deeply relates to Fighting Cancer as his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 years ago.
Marco Ilsø “Hvitserk” Marco Ilsø is a young self-taught actor who has been working as an actor since childhood. This summer Ilsø finished shooting Christoffer Boe’s mini-series ‘Warrior.” In 2016, Ilsø starred in Mads Matthiesen’s "The Model" and, in the fall of 2014, he starred in "The Absent One” playing a young rich kid who studies at a boarding school and commits terrible crimes in his spare time.
Ilsø debuted in the Christmas series "Mikkel and The Gold Card" in 2008 when he was only 13 years old. Since then Ilsø has been working on various films including "Rebounce" (2011), "You and Me Forever" (2012) and "Danny's Doomsday" (2014).
Jordan Patrick Smith “Ubbe” Jordan Patrick Smith was a finalist for the 2015 Heath Leger Scholarship which fosters the education and career development of emerging Australian actors within the United States. He has also worked with Angelina Jolie on Universal’s Unbroken, and recently finished shooting “Banished.”
Josefin Asplund “Astrid” Josefin Asplund is a Swedish-born actress who graduated from the Dramatic Arts Program in Södra Latins Gymnasium in Stockholm (2010). Shortly after she landed her first international role playing opposite Daniel Craig, as his daughter, in “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.” The following year Asplund went on to play one of the leads in “Call Girl,” an award winning Swedish drama and in 2015 she played one of the leads in “The Circle,” a fantasy drama based on the Swedish best-selling novel by the same name.
Asplund was seen as “Blanche" in a 2016 TV-series called “Seven Dwarfs and Me,” a French & Belgian co-production. Currently she is shooting a Swedish TV-series called “Conspiracy of Silence.” Asplund has been nominated for the Rising Star Award at Stockholm Film festival in both 2012 and 2015.
Moe Dunford “King Aethelwulf” Moe Dunford is currently in John Butler's feature film “Handsome Devil” playing the role of Pascal. Dunford recently appeared in “The Flag,” “Michael Inside,” and “The Lodgers” which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2017. He will soon appear in “Black 47” (2018). Dunford recently wrapped a leading role in “Metalheart,” and is currently shooting a recurring role on season two of “Striking Out.”
Dunford was chosen as a Shooting Star for Ireland at the Berlin International Film Festival 2015; he was awarded Best Lead Actor, Film by the IFTA 2015, Best Actor at the 11th edition of The European Independent Film Festival and was nominated for the prestigious Bingham Ray New Talent Award at the Galway Film Fleadh 2014 for his role as Patrick in “Patrick’s Day.” Dunford also won the award for Best Actor at the Hell’s Half Mile Film Festival in Michigan amongst several other international awards and nominations.
Dunford also picked up Best Actor for his lead role in “Patrick’s Day” at the 11th edition of ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival. The film received critical and audience acclaim at festivals across Europe and North America and was chosen as the Irish entry for the Directors Guild Finders Series Award. It was also the “Maverick” Grand Jury Prize winner of the 15th Woodstock Film Festival for best film. Dunford appeared in the indie feature film “Traders.” Other screen work includes season two of “Game of Thrones,” “Raw” Series 5 as the recurring role Niall, the recurring role of Christian in “An Crisis” and the role of Richard Leland in Season 4 of “The Tudors.”
Dunford graduated from the Gaiety School of Acting Full Time Acting Course in June 2009. In theatre, he played John Hinckley in “Assassins” and Dmitri in “The Brothers Karamazov.” Dunford recently appeared in Hozier’s music video “Cherry Wine;” This video was made to raise awareness and funds for domestic abuse charities worldwide.
Jennie Jaques “Queen Judith” Jennie Jacques began her acting career in 2009 on “The Bill.” This was quickly followed by her series regular role of Annie Miller in “Desperate Romantics” and guest lead role of Emily Mullins in “Larkrise to Candleford.” Jacques quickly built on this impressive start with leading roles in movies such as Cherry Tree Lane, Shank, Demons Never Die, Truth or Dare and her award nominated role of Sophie in “The Other Side.”
Jacques played the leading role of WPC Gina Dawson in series 1 & 2 of “WPC 56” as well as regular character Tash in “The Delivery Man.”
Peter Franzén “King Harald Finehair” Peter Franzén is one of Finland’s most accomplished actors who has enjoyed a successful career both nationally and internationally. Ashes in the Snow, his most recent international feature film directed by Marius A. Markevicius and premiering in 2018, will showcase him playing the role of Commander Komarov.
Franzén’s other credits include the spy thriller The Gunman opposite Sean Penn and Javier Bardem, the controversial film, “Heart of a Lion,” “Open Up To Me” which was nominated for a Nordic Council Film prize, and Antti Jokinen’s “Purge” which was Finland's official selection for the Academy Awards.
Franzén’s career has spanned 20 years and includes over 40 movies earning him three Jussi Awards (Finland’s national film prize) and a total of seven nominations.
Franzén made his feature directorial debut with his film “Above Dark Waters.” It opened in his native Finland and is based on a screenplay written and adapted from his semi-autobiographical 2010 novel of the same name. Franzén recently published his third novel, Särkyneen Pyörän Karjatila.
Jasper Pääkönen “Halfdan the Black” Jasper Pääkönen completed filming on Charles Belleville's Jet Trash opposite Robert Sheehan. In 2013, he won a Jussi award in his native Finland for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his appearance as Harri in Leijonasydän (Heart of a Lion).
He also appeared as the character Kapu in Finland's highest box office grossing film Lapland Odyssey in 2010, directed by Dome Karukoski. Lapland Odyssey won awards at the Jussi Awards and the Alpe d'Huez ICFF.
At the age of 20, he took part in the original cast of a daily soap and was selected to play the main role in Bad Boys, directed by the talented Aleksi Mäkelä, which became the biggest box-office hit ever in Finland. For his performance in this film, Pääkkönen received the prize for "Best Actor" at the Brussels Film Festival in 2003. Pääkkönen is also a committed fisheries activist who has been awarded for his achievements in conservation issues including Fisherman of the Year 2012 by Finland's Minister of Environment Ville Niinistö. He arranged two conservation seminars held at Finland's Parliament in 2013 and 2014 and acted as chairman alongside Finland's Minister of Development, Pekka Haavisto. Pääkkönen also received an award and official recognition for his fisheries conservation from the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation (FANC). He is a member of the Vision Fly Fishing world team and is a fly fishing ambassador for Patagonia. He has also appeared in fly fishing TV shows and DVD's as a celebrity guest. John Kavanagh “Ancient Seer” John Kavanagh’s most recent credits include the role of Arturo Toscanini in Florence Foster Jenkins directed by Stephen Frears. 2016 saw Kavanagh play the role of Hugo Day in Donegal at The Abbey Theatre. Further recent screen credits include the role of Grandad in Ciarán Dooley’s short film The Great Wide Open, the role of Rev. William Benham in Ralph Fiennes’ The Invisible Woman, the role of Inspector Michaud in In Secret directed by Charlie Stratton and the role of Derry Quinn in The Bachelor Weekend directed by John Butler. Kavanagh was a member of The Abbey Theatre Company for ten years before going freelance in 1977. Since then he has played in a variety of roles, including “One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest”, “Taking Steps”, “Faith Healer”, “The Norman Conquest”, “Twelfth Night” and “Absurd Person Singular. He played Uncle Peter in The Gaiety's production of The Plough and the Stars and Joxer in The Gate Theatre's production of Juno and the Paycock in 1986.
He then returned to The Abbey to play in King of the Castle. He has appeared in many musicals, including Cabaret, Jacques Brel, HMS Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance, Tom Foolery, Innish and Hunky Dory.
His television work includes “Jack Taylor: Priest,” “Titanic: Blood and Steel,” “Father & Son,” “The Clinic,” “Dr. Finlay’s Casebook,” “Holby City,” “Inspector George Gently” and “The Tudors” among many others. John's theatre work at the Abbey Theatre includes: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Aristocrats, King Lear, A Life, Hugh Leonard’s Da, The Plough and the Stars, The Cavalcaders, and Fool For Love. Kavanagh’s credits at the Gate Theatre include: A Dublin Carol, The Homecoming, See You Next Tuesday, Eccentricities of a Nightingale, Dancing at Lughnasa, A View From the Bridge, Uncle Vanya, Death of a Salesman, Deep Blue Sea, and Present Laughter.
Kavanagh is also a well-established and distinguished voiceover artist. He is based in Dublin.
SEASON FIVE CREDITS
HISTORY and Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer Present VIKINGS In Association with TM Productions and Take 5 Productions
Cast
Queen Lagertha Katheryn Winnick Floki Gustaf Skarsgård Bjorn Alexander Ludwig Ancient Seer John Kavanagh King Harald Finehair Peter Franzén Halfdan the Black Jasper Pääkkönen Aethelwulf Moe Dunford Ivar the Boneless Alex Høgh Andersen Hvitserk Marco Ilsø Ubbe Jordan Patrick Smith Bishop Heahmund Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Casting by Frank Moiselle and Nuala Moiselle
Costume Designer Susan O’Connor Cave
Visual Effects Supervisor Dominic Remane
Stunt Action Design Richard Ryan
Music Composed by Trevor Morris
Production Designer Mark Geraghty
Directors of Photography PJ Dillon, Peter Robertson, Suzie Lavelle
Editors Aaron Marshall, Tad Seaborn, Michele Conroy
Co-Producers Bill Goddard, Séamus McInerney
Produced by Keith Thompson Liz Gill
Executive Producers Michael Hirst Morgan O’Sullivan
Sheila Hockin Alan Gasmer Sherry Marsh James Flynn John Weber
Created by Michael Hirst
Written by Michael Hirst
Episodes 501, 502 Directed by David Wellington
Episodes 503, 504 Directed by Steve Saint Leger
Episodes 505, 506 Directed by Ciarán Donnelly
Episodes 507, 508 Directed by Jeff Woolnough
Episodes 509, 510 Directed by Daniel Grou
Executive in Charge of Production Arturo Interian An Ireland-Canada Co-production
Character Descriptions
Queen Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) - Lagertha is the first wife of the late Ragnar Lothbrok and now Queen of Kattegat. She is a strong shield-maiden and a force to be reckoned with. She always fought in the shield-wall alongside the men. Although fate has pulled her apart from Ragnar, their legacies are forever interlocked.
Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) - Floki is a genius ship builder who designs and builds the prototype of the new generation of Viking ships which can sail across the open ocean but also up the shallowest of rivers. Floki is a religious zealot who believes in the Gods above anything and everything; he embarks on his first solo journey to find himself and new land.
Bishop Heahmund (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) - Heahmund is a devout man of God who holds the prestigious Bishopric of Sherborne. He is also a fearsome warrior who passionately defends both his faith and his King. But Heahmund is prey to his passions which will lead him to his ultimate internal conflict.
Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) – Bjorn is the oldest son of the late Ragnar and Lagertha. Following in his father’s footsteps, Bjorn desires to test himself as a fighter as well as an explorer. After fighting in battle without receiving one wound or scratch, he garnered the famous nickname “Bjorn Ironside.”
Ivar the Boneless (Alex Høgh Andersen) – Son of the late Ragnar and perhaps the most famous Viking of all time, Ivar’s pathological cruelty was notorious even during his own lifetime. Ivar is deeply ambitious; his ambitions will twist the legacy of his father out of shape and create universal war. People are genuinely afraid of Ivar.
Hvitserk (Marco Ilsø) – Son of the late Ragnar, Hvitserk and his older brother Ubbe have a special bond because when they were children they jumped together in an icy lake and had to be rescued by Siggy, who died in the attempt. Hvitserk is a darker more complex character than his brother Ubbe; these characteristics become more pronounced in time.
Ubbe (Jordan Smith) – Son of the late Ragnar and the late Queen Aslaug, Ubbe has a paternalistic attitude towards his younger brothers. He is a sensitive, thoughtful and attractive young man who, in many ways, is the closest in outlook and instinct to his father.
Kjetill Flatnose (Adam Copeland) - Kjetill is a solid family man who remains level-headed in the face of challenges. When Kjetill’s character is put to the test by a series of provocations, hidden complexities and ambitions are revealed. (Appears in episodes 505 – 510)
Astrid (Josefin Asplund) – Astrid is a beautiful young woman and close confidante of Lagertha’s. She is a free spirit on a voyage of self-discovery who refuses to accept social conventions or recognize any barriers to her freedom. Lagertha trained Astrid in the art of war and love.
King Aethelwulf (Moe Dunford) – Son of the late King Ecbert, Aethelwulf must protect himself and his family against the Vikings while taking over duties as the new ruler of Wessex. Aethelwulf, along with Bishop Heahmund, is prepared with strategies to fight for his land.
Queen Judith (Jennie Jacques) – Judith is the daughter of the late King Aelle and wife to King Aethelwulf. Her infatuation with Athelstan became her downfall and their affair led to the birth of the child Alfred.
Prince Alfred (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) - Alfred is the Anglo-Saxon Bretwalda (High King) chosen and groomed by the late King Ecbert, his grandfather; his passage to the throne is not smooth as King Aethelwulf’s second son. That difficulty is coupled with the fact that Alfred is an introspective and thoughtful character, sickly and a reluctant warrior - not obvious King material.
King Harald Finehair (Peter Franzén) – A complex character who seeks to be King of Norway.
Halfdan the Black (Jasper Pääkkönen) – King Harald’s violent, devoutly loyal younger brother.
Torvi (Georgia Hirst) - Torvi, partner of Bjorn, is a loving mother to her three children and a loyal and trustworthy friend particularly to Lagertha. With the passage of time, Torvi has risen above many challenges to hone her fighting skills and become not just a mother and a friend, but a formidable shieldmaiden in her own right.
Margrethe (Ida Marie Nielsen) - Margrethe makes a fortunate journey from humble slave to consort of the Lothbrok brothers but she doesn’t reach this enviable position through luck alone. Margrethe is ambitious and willing to use those around her in order to achieve her ultimate goal.
Euphemius (Albano Jeronimo) - Euphemius is a gregarious ruler who is keen to trade with the Vikings and promote his interests. Bjorn has difficulty reading Euphemius; he may be the ruler of this idyllic kingdom but, are the levers of power controlled elsewhere? (Appears in episodes 504 – 505)
Kassia (Karima McAdams) - Kassia is a multi-faceted character who is inscrutable as she pursues her ruthless agenda. (Appears in episodes 504 – 506)
Sindric (Frankie McCafferty) - Sindric is an enigma; he appears at opportune moments, as if out of the blue, and shares his vast knowledge and experience of the world to help shape major outcomes for the Vikings. (Appears in episodes 503 – 506)
The Seer (John Kavanagh) – The ancient seer is one of the most important figures in Viking life because the Vikings believe in fate and the Seers can read the runes and often translate the wishes of the gods.
The Gods - Only occasionally glimpsed, the gods are always present in the landscape and in the lives of all Viking men, women and children.
