Vikings is a historical drama television series written and created by Michael Hirst for the television channel History. Filmed in Ireland, it premiered on 3 March 2013 in Canada. Vikings is inspired by the sagas of VikingRagnar Lothbrok, one of the best-known legendary Norse heroes and notorious as the scourge of England and France. The broad historical narrative is based on real events, with some of the principal characters representing real figures from history and/or legend. The show portrays Ragnar as a former farmer who rises to fame by successful raids into England, and eventually becomes king, with the support of his family and fellow warriors: his brother Rollo, his son Bjorn Ironside, and his wives—the shieldmaidenLagertha and the princess Aslaug.
Main characters
The following is a list of series regulars who have appeared in one or more of the series's six seasons. The characters are listed in the order they were first credited in the series.
Originally a farmer, Viking Ragnar Lothbrok claims to be descended from the godOdin. He becomes Earl of Kattegat after he challenges and kills the ruthless Earl Haraldson. He is also a feared warrior, becomes a raider of undiscovered lands, and, eventually, King of Denmark. Despite his reputation for ruthlessness and brutality, he is a curious man prepared to learn about other cultures. Based on the semi-legendary Ragnar Lodbrok.
Lagertha is Ragnar's first wife and a shieldmaiden. Following her separation from Ragnar, Lagertha rises to become Earl of Hedeby in her own right, going by the name Earl Ingstad. Following the deaths of Ragnar and Aslaug, she becomes Queen of Kattegat. Based on the legendary Lagertha.
Ragnar's brother. A ruthless and skilled warrior, but his life in his brother's shadow makes Rollo's feelings towards Ragnar change from love and admiration to hateful jealousy. Eventually, he defects to the Franks and is made Duke of Normandy. Based on the historical Rollo.
Earl Haraldson's wife, and later the love-interest of Rollo. She possesses a strategic mind and an urge to regain her power and influence, but grows to care for Ragnar and his family. She drowns while attempting to save Ragnar's children from a similar fate.
A gifted but eccentric shipbuilder and friend of Ragnar. His ships create a revolution in shipwrighting. He considers himself descended from the trickster god Loki. Loosely based on the historical Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson.
Ragnar's predecessor as Earl of Kattegat and husband of Siggy. He grows to resent Ragnar's ambitions to raid the West, and sees Ragnar's growing popularity as a threat to his rule. He is killed by Ragnar during personal combat.
Ragnar's second wife, claiming to be the daughter of the shieldmaiden and valkyrie Brynhildr and the dragonslayer Sigurd. She is ultimately killed and usurped by a vengeful Lagertha. Based on the legendary Aslaug.
Ruler of the most powerful kingdom in England. He dreams of becoming Bretwalda and becomes an unlikely friend of Ragnar. Based on the historical Egbert of Wessex.
Ruler in Paris, he witnesses Ragnar's attack on the city and later employs Rollo as a defender against Viking raids. Charles is a composite character drawing from the historical Charles the Bald, Charles the Fat and Charles the Simple.
Seiðr of Kattegat. He often provides mysterious predictions to the characters. He is murdered by Ivar after refusing to recognise Ivar as a god and predicting Ivar's fall.
The ambitious king of Vestfold, who seeks to become king of all Norway to marry the princess Ellisif. He becomes an ally to Ragnar during his second attempt at raiding Paris. Harald then spends years conquering his neighbours' lands, including Rogaland. He lends forces to the Great Heathen Army and joins battles against king Aella and prince Aethelwulf. Meanwhile, he makes an attempt at conquering Kattegat, but is defeated. When he discovers Ellisif is already married, he murders her husband. Harald then kidnaps Astrid and proposes to her. When Astrid consents, they are married. Ivar arrives to Harald's kingdom seeking an ally to overthrow Lagertha. Astrid betrays her new husband to warn Lagertha, but her agents rape her. When Astrid becomes pregnant, Harald become fond and protective of her, not knowing the child might not be his. Harald mourns the death of his wife in battle and vows vengeance on Lagertha. He sails with Bjorn to retake Kattegat, but much of their fleet is wrecked in a storm. In battle, Harald saves Bjorn's life but takes a serious wound. King Olaf rescues Harald and tends to his wounds, but also occupies Vestfold. Harald's men beg Bjorn for help. Bjorn feels compelled to repay his debt. Olaf reveals he intends to have Bjorn elected as over-king of Norway. Harald uses the opportunity to campaign for himself and defeats Bjorn in the election. Harald's men attempt to kill Bjorn, but he is saved by Erik the Red. Most of the kings accept Harald, but Olaf refuses. Harald has him put away and sends warriors to secure his borders. Based on the historical Harald Fairhair.
Harald's violent younger brother. He hates Christians and is motivated by getting to kill as many of them as possible. Eventually he grows tired of living in his brother's shadow and of Harald's war with other Norsemen and joins an expedition with Bjorn to the mediterranean. During the trip they form a close friendship which leads to Halfdan joining Lagertha's side when Ivar and Harald declare war on her. When faced by Harald in battle, he is killed. A composite character of the historical Halfdan Ragnarsson and historical Halfdan the Black, the father of Harald Fairhair.
Played by an uncredited infant actor, James Quinn Markey and Alex Høgh Andersen
Ragnar and Aslaug's fourth and most violent son. A birth defect has rendered his legs useless and left him impotent. Ivar is more unstable than his brothers, sadistic and seemingly narcissistic. While publicly boastful, in private Ivar is deeply insecure about himself and feels unloved by all except his mother Aslaug. When Lagertha kills Aslaug Ivar vows vengeance and with the help of Harald and Rollo makes himself king of Kattegat. He is married to his former slave Freydis, who manipulates him and inflates his ego. Based on the historical Ivar the Boneless.
Played by Cathal O'Hallin, Stephen Rockett and Marco Ilsø
Ragnar and Aslaug's second son. He enjoys battle and adventure and sides with his younger brother Ivar when Ivar and Ubbe fall out. As Ivar's megalomania increases and Ivar becomes more abusive of him, Hvitserk starts to question his decision. Based on the semi-historical or legendary Hvitserk.
Ragnar and Aslaug's first son. He is the most responsible of Aslaug's sons, he does not initially take part in Viking raids, preferring to stay home and protect Kattegat. When his mother is killed, he initially wants revenge. However, as his previously warm relationship with Ivar turns hostile he sides with Lagertha. When Lagertha is driven into exile in England, Ubbe becomes Alfred's advisor and converts to Christianity. Based on the historical Ubba.
Son of King Ecbert. He is married to Princess Judith, with whom he has a son, Prince Aethelred. He dies by asphyxiation after being stung by a bee. Based on the historical Aethelwulf.
A very religious warrior priest. Heahmund leads an army in resistance against the Norse presence in York, becoming a principal ally to Aethelwulf. He is eventually captured by Ivar who admires his skill as a warrior. Heahmund fights for Ivar against Lagertha, but is captured in the initial battle. Having become smitten by Lagertha, he seduces her and switches to her side. On his suggestion, Lagertha and her followers seek refuge in England. Through Heahmund's influence the Normen are given sanctuary in return for fighting against other Viking raiders. When Harald Finehair attempts to raid Wessex, Heahmund fights in the frontline. In the battle he is wounded by arrows and killed by Gunnhild. Broadly inspired by the historical Heahmund.
The Varangian ruler of Kiev, called "the Prophet". He is the protector of the heir to the Rus kingdom, Igor and brother in law of Igor's father Rurik. Oleg is sadistic and uses his status as Igor's protector as a pretext for consolidating control over the kingdom. He has successfully sacked Constantinople, but is critical of Rurik's eastward expansion. Oleg wants to conquer Scandinavia which he claims is the property of the Rus. Oleg takes in Ivar, thinking him useful for his plan to invade Scandinavia. Oleg forms an uneasy friendship with Ivar after revealing that he murdered his wife after discovering her infidelity. Ivar's similar experience with Freydis brings them closer. The character is based on the semi-historical Oleg the Prophet.
Jarl Olavsonn's wife. Harald becomes enamored with her, but after Olavsonn's death, she marries Bjorn Ironside instead. As his wife, she becomes queen of Kattegat.
A wanderer living in Iceland. His real name is Athelstan and he was a monk in England. During one of his travels as missionary, he took the identity of the dying wanderer Othere and moved to Iceland. He then sailed west and glimpsed the Golden Land. Ubbe asks him to sail again with him to find the new land.
Recurring characters
The following is a list of recurring characters, listed in the order that they first appeared on the show.
Cast table
;Cast notes
Svein
Played by David Pearse
A loyal henchman of Earl Haraldson. He is killed by Rollo, after Earl Haraldson's death.
Gyda
Played by Ruby O'Leary
Daughter of Ragnar and Lagertha. She dies in a plague. Loosely based on Ragnar's unnamed daughters.
Elderly Viking and one of Ragnar's warriors. He has a wife, Elisef, and a son, Leif. He is an early supporter of Ragnar and is murdered by earl Haraldson.
Ruler of one of England's ancient kingdoms and the first to be attacked by Ragnar. Father of Princess Judith, Aethelwulf's wife, and grandfather of Princes Aethelred and Alfred. Based on the historical King Ælla of Northumbria. He killed Ragnar by throwing him into a pit of snakes and was executed by Bjorn as retribution for Ragnar's death.
Floki's long-suffering lover and wife. Murdered by her own adopted daughter who shortly after committed suicide.
Rafarta
Played by Donna Dent
A woman of Kattegat and Eyvind's wife. She joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. Her brother was killed by Kjetill's father prior to the events of the series. She is killed by Kjetill.
Queen Ealhswith of Northumbria
Played by Cathy Whyte
Wife of King Aelle and the mother of Princess Judith.
A powerful warlord of an earldom in Götaland. He has a wife, Torvi, and a son, Guthrum. He was killed by Ragnar with the Blood Eagle, for having attacked his people and his family.
King Horik's first son. He is cruel and spiteful. After the death of his father, he seeks vengeance against Ragnar and his family. He ends up marrying Torvi and conspires with Kalf to ruin Ragnar. He is killed by Torvi after frequently threatening Torvi's son Guthrum.
An influential advisor at the court of King Ecbert. He is murdered by Hvitserk when the Great Heathen Army sacks Ecbert's villa. Based on the historical Eadmund of Winchester.
A scheming troublemaker, and ally of Earl Sigvard of Hedeby. He later betrays Sigvard and helps Lagertha gain power in Hedeby. When Lagertha rejects his advances, he helps Kalf gain power in Hedeby. In the end, he is injured by Kalf and killed by Lagertha.
Daughter of King Aelle and Queen Ealhswith of Northumbria and the wife of Aethelwulf. She has a legitimate son with Aethelwulf, Aethelred, and an illegitimate one with Athelstan, Alfred. Based on the historical Judith of Flanders.
Kwenthrith
Played by Amy Bailey
Pretender to the throne of Mercia. She has a brother, Prince Burgred, and a putative illegitimate son with Ragnar, Magnus. Based on the historical Cwenthryth.
Angrboda
Played by an uncredited infant actress and Rosalie Connerty
Floki and Helga's daughter.
Prince Burgred
Played by Aaron Monaghan
The rebellious brother of Kwenthrith. Based on the historical Burgred of Mercia. He is poisoned by Kwenthrith who becomes Queen of Mercia.
Aethelred
Played by an uncredited infant actor and Darren Cahill
Prince Aethelwulf and Princess Judith's son. Based on the historical Æthelred of Wessex.
Earl Siegfried
Played by Greg Orvis
A friend of Earl Kalf's and an ally to King Ragnar. He is killed at the Siege of Paris. Loosely based on the Norse chief Sigfred who took part in the Siege of Paris.
Sinric
Played by Frankie McCafferty
Sinric is a wanderer who taught Ragnar about England and Frankia, and who serves as a translator for the Northmen. Loosely based on the Norse chief Sinric who took part in the Siege of Paris.
Alfred
Played by an uncredited infant actor, Conor O'Hanlon, Isaac O'Sullivan and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo
Son of Judith and Athelstan. Broadly based on the historical Alfred the Great.
A noblewoman, Roland's sister, and Count Odo's mistress. She is assassinated with her brother by Emperor Charles's men.
Guthrum
Played by an uncredited infant actor, Anton Giltrap and Ben Roe
Jarl Borg and Torvi's son. He is killed in battle by Hvitserk.
Magnus
Played by an uncredited infant actor, Cameron Hogan and Dean Ridge
Ragnar and Kwenthrith's supposed illegitimate son. After spending most of his life as a hostage he is evicted by Aethelwulf when Ragnar denies being his father. Magnus eventually starts to consider himself a Viking, converts to the religion of the Norse gods and joins Harald. He takes part of Bjorn and Hvitserks siege of Kattegat where he suffers from a crisis of faith. Eventually coming to terms with his new identity as a pagan, he tries to scale the walls as the battle turns against Bjorn. Harald attempts to pull him to safety, but Magnus is shot to death by White Hair, when he fails to protect himself with his shield.
Chinese slave belonging to Aslaug. Yidu becomes protective of the sons of Ragnar. She also forms a close bond with Ragnar, providing him with a drug and becoming his lover. Later she becomes distressed with the Viking way of life and tries to leave Ragnar. When she refuses to provide him with more of the drug, Ragnar drowns her.
Father Prudentius
Played by Seán Ó Meallaigh
Serves at the court of King Ecbert.
Waerferth
Played by Des Carney
One of King Ecbert's scouts. He is stabbed to death by Kwenthrith.
Shieldmaiden and lover of Lagertha. She and Bjorn have a secret affair. She is later kidnapped by king Harald whom she marries. When attempting to warn Lagertha of an incoming attack she is raped by the whaler she tries to bribe. Soon after she finds herself pregnant and induces Lagertha to kill her during battle, she admits that she was always her true love. After her death, Harald carries her earring around as remembrance and swears vengeance on Lagertha. Through she married Harald to gain power, she has some feelings for him, trying to have Ivar send troops to help him when Harald is overwhelmed by Lagertha in battle.
Margrethe
Played by Ida Marie Nielsen
One of Queen Aslaug's slaves in Kattegat and the shared lover of Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd. She is disturbed by Ivar and fears him. She is later freed and married by Ubbe. Hvitserk remains her lover with Ubbe's consent. Ubbe eventually rejects her to marry Torvi, causing Margrethe to go insane. Hvitserk takes care of her, but when Ivar has a dream where Margrethe stabs him, he sends assassins to murder her. This furthers the rift between Hvitserk and Ivar.
Hali
Played by an uncredited infant actor and Ryan Henson
Bjorn and Torvi's son. He is killed by White Hair.
Asa
Played by an uncredited infant actor, Svea Killoran and Elodie Curry
Bjorn and Torvi's daughter.
Tanaruz
Played by Sinead Gormally
A Moorish orphan girl adopted by Helga. When Helga brings her to the sack of Ecbert's villa, Tanaruz snaps and stabs Helga and then kills herself.
Lord Cuthred
Played by Jonathan Delaney Tynan
A nobleman and member of the clergy of Wessex. After Bishop Heahmund is taken by the Vikings, Cuthred is appointed Bishop of Sherborne.
The leader of Ivar's bodyguards. After Ivar's defeat, he is outcast from Kattegat by King Bjorn. He turns to banditry and raids the village where Lagertha has retired, killing Bjorn's son Halli in such a raid. Lagertha leads the resistance and eventually kills White Hair in single combat.
Queen Freydis
Played by Alicia Agneson
Ivar's former slave and love interest. She becomes Queen of Kattegat by marrying Ivar. As Ivar is impotent, she has sex with a slave whom she later murders in order to produce a child. Freydis claims she conceived the child through magically consuming Ivar's blood. This and Freydis' sycophancy leads Ivar to declare himself a god. When the child is eventually born, it's deformed. This causes Ivar's ego to crack and he suspects Freydis has fooled him. Ivar leaves the child out to die, turning Freydis against him. She shows Hvitserk, Bjorn and Harald a secret way through the walls, allowing them to storm Kattegat. As the city falls, she admits what she has done and Ivar strangles her to death.
A Viking of Kattegat who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. He quickly becomes disillusioned when arriving in Iceland and becomes antagonistic to Floki. His wife Rafarta's brother was killed by Kjetill's father, which also makes him antagonistic to Kjetill. After his son Bul is accidentally killed by Thorgrim, Thorgrim is found drowned. Floki believes Eyvind was responsible. Eventually Eyvind's daughter in law Thorunn vanishes. Rafarta claims Thorunn was suicidal, which is proven false when Floki produces her hidden body. Rafarta and Asbjorn are implicited as the murderers and Floki banishes Eyvind and his family from the colony. It's never made clear if Eyvind was in on Asbjorn's and Rafarta's plot. The family is ravaged by disease and weather and sends Helgi to fetch help. Helgi brings back Floki, Kjetill and Frodi, along with several of Kjetill's farmhands. The farmhands capture Floki at knifepoint as Kjetill and Frodi murders Eyvind and all of his family.
Kjetill Flatnose and Ingvild's daughter, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. Something of a surrogate daughter to Floki, she tries to mend piece between the feauding clans of Kjetill and Eyvind. She kills herself in Iceland after finding out Kjetill and her brother Frodi murdered Eyvind and his family.
Helgi the Lean
Played by Jack McEvoy
Eyvind and Rafarta's son, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. He is killed by Kjetill.
Thorunn (Kjetillsdóttir)
Played by Mei Bignall
Kjetill Flatnose and Ingvild's daughter and Helgi's wife, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. She is killed by Asbjorn.
Ingvild
Played by Kelly Campbell
Kjetill Flatnose's wife, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony.
Bul
Played by James Craze
Eyvind and Rafarta's son, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. He is killed by Thorgrim.
Asbjorn
Played by Elijah Rowen
Eyvind and Rafarta's son, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. He is killed by Kjetill.
Thorgrim
Played by Rob Malone
Kjetill Flatnose and Ingvild's son, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. He mysteriously drowns in Iceland.
Frodi
Played by Scott Graham
Kjetill Flatnose and Ingvild's son, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. He assists Kjetill in massacring Eyvind and his family.
Jorunn
Played by Tallulah Belle Earley
Eyvind and Rafarta's daughter, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. She is killed by Frodi.
Svase
Played by Anthony Brophy
A Sami chief and an ally to Lagertha. He is killed in battle. Loosely based on the legendary Sami king Svasi.
Snaefrid
Played by Dagny Backer Johnsen
King Svase's daughter. She is killed in battle. Loosely based on the legendary Snæfrith, a lover of Harald Fairhair.
Lord Cyneheard
Played by Malcolm Douglas
An ealdorman of Wessex. He conspires with Prince Aethelred to overthrow King Alfred.
Elsewith
Played by Róisín Murphy
Mannel's daughter, Queen Judith's niece and King Alfred's wife.
Thora
Played by Eve Connolly
Hvitserk's love interest. Ivar has her burned after she implicates herself as a critic of Ivar's regime and denies his status as a god.
A Norwegian king who Ivar initially reaches out to in order to form an alliance. Hvitserk is sent to him to broker the deal, but Hvitserk instead ask Olaf to help him overthrow Ivar. The amused Olaf has Hvitserk imprisoned and tortured. When Hvitserk refuses to relent, the impressed Olaf agrees to attack Kattegat. After the battle, he declares Bjorn king of Kattegat. Harald is seriously injured in the battle and Olaf saves his life. However, Olaf also occupies his kingdom and keeps Harald as a prisoner.
Amma
Played by Kristy Dawn Dinsmore
A shieldmaiden in Harald's army. After the re-conquest of Kattegat by Bjorn she is made Hvitserk's caretaker.
The son of Rurik and heir to Kievan Rus'. He is the ward of Oleg, who rules the kingdom in his name as regent. Igor fears Oleg, and has little love for Oleg's brothers Dir and Askold. However, he is aware that he can use Oleg as much as a puppet as Oleg uses him. Igor and Ivar quickly forms a bond and Igor seems much more fond of him than any of his blood relatives. Based on the historical Igor of Kiev.
Princess Katia
Played by Alicia Agneson
Oleg's wife, who has a striking resemblance to Freydis.
Minor characters
The following is a list of named characters who have had a relatively relevant story arc on the series. They are listed in the order that they first appeared on the show.
Eddie Drew and André Eriksen as Odin, appearing to Ragnar and his sons
Gary Murphy as Bishop Unwan, serving at the court of King Aelle
Carl Shaaban as Jesus, appearing to Athelstan and Ragnar
Søren Pilmark as Stender, a farmer who escaped Wessex after Aethelwulf's raid
Siggy, Þórunn and Bjorn's daughter
Conn Rogers as Canute, a member of King Olaf's court
Martin Maloney as Vigrid, one of Ivar's men
Season 1
Eddie Elks as Olafur, a Viking warrior in the service of Earl Haraldson
Jouko Ahola as Kauko, a Finnish Viking and one of Ragnar's warriors
Eric Higgins as Knut Tjodolf, Earl Haraldson's half-brother
Will Irvine as Brother Cenwulf, serving at the monastery of Lindisfarne
Sam Lucas Smith as Edwin, a Saxon
Jonathon Kemp as Lord Wigea, an advisor of King Aelle
Peter Gaynor as Lord Edgar, an advisor of King Aelle
