Cast of Vikings in season 4, from left to right: Linus Roache (Ecbert), Jennie Jacques (Judith), Gustaf Skarsgård (Floki), James Quinn Markey (Ivar), Alyssa Sutherland (Aslaug), Travis Fimmel (Ragnar), Alexander Ludwig (Björn), Katheryn Winnick (Lagertha), Ben Robson (Kalf), Clive Standen (Rollo) and Morgane Polanski (Gisla)
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, while Vikings: Valhalla, set 100 years later, chronicles the beginning of the end of the Viking Age and the adventures of Leif Erikson, his sister Freydís Eiríksdóttir and Harald Sigurdsson. The broad historical narrative of both series are based on real events, with some of the principal characters representing real figures from history and/or legend.
Vikings 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 Björn Ironside, and his wives—the shieldmaidenLagertha and the princess Aslaug. Vikings: Valhalla portrays Leif and Freydís as immigrants from Greenland to Norway, who are respectively pulled into the Viking campaign to conquer Great Britain and the growing religious divide between Christians and Pagans. The Seer (portrayed by John Kavanagh) is the only character to appear in both series, having appeared in at least one episode of every season.
Main characters
The following is a list of series regulars who have appeared in one or more of the six seasons of Vikings or the three seasons of Vikings: Valhalla. The characters are listed in the order they were first credited.
↑ In the first part of season 5, Lagertha is also portrayed by guest child actress Mabel Hurley.
↑ Sutherland only appears in one episode of season 1, although credited as a main cast member.
↑ Ludwig only appears in one episode of the second part of season 6, although credited as a main cast member.
↑ Pääkkönen only appears in one episode of the second part of season 6, although credited as a main cast member.
↑ In seasons 2 and 3, Ivar the Boneless is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor. In the first part of season 4, Ivar the Boneless is portrayed by recurring child actor James Quinn Markey and guest actor Alex Høgh Andersen.
↑ In seasons 2 and 3, Hvitserk is portrayed by recurring infant actor Cathal O'Hallin. In the first part of season 4, Hvitserk is portrayed by recurring child actor Stephen Rockett and guest actor Marco Ilsø.
↑ In seasons 2 and 3, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor. In the first part of season 4, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye is portrayed by recurring child actor Elijah O'Sullivan and guest actor David Lindström.
↑ In seasons 2 and 3, Ubbe is portrayed by recurring infant actor Cormac Melia. In the first part of season 4, Ubbe is portrayed by recurring child actor Luke Shanahan and guest actor Jordan Patrick Smith.
↑ Meyers only appears in one episode of the second part of season 4, although credited as a main cast member.
↑ Georgia Hirst is credited as a series regular from episode 6x09 onwards. From episode 6x01 to 6x08, she is credited as a guest star.
↑ Ragga Ragnars is credited as a series regular from episode 6x09 onwards. From episode 6x01 to 6x08, she is credited as a guest star.
↑ Stevenson only appears in one episode of the first part of season 6, although credited as a main cast member.
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 eager to learn about other cultures. Based on the semi-legendary Ragnar Lodbrok.
Lagertha
Played by Katheryn Winnick (seasons 1–6) and Mabel Hurley (season 5)
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 lover 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 as her own.
A gifted but eccentric shipbuilder and friend of Ragnar. His ships create a revolution in shipwright techniques. He considers himself descended from the trickster god Loki and is very devout in the Norse religion. Loosely based on the historical Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson.[3]
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. He is killed by Ragnar during personal combat.
An Anglo-Saxon monk from the monastery of Lindisfarne in Northumbria. Captured by Ragnar on his first raid, Athelstan grows to appreciate Viking culture and thus is constantly torn between the customs of Christian England and the pagan ways of Scandinavia. Athelstan becomes a confidant of King Ecbert after he is captured by his army.
Ragnar's second wife, claiming to be the daughter of the shieldmaiden and valkyrie Brynhildr and the dragonslayer Sigurd. When Ragnar becomes King of Kattegat, she becomes its queen. She is 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 (grandson of Charlemagne who first defended Paris from the Vikings), Charles the Fat (who commanded Odo) and Charles the Simple (who encountered Rollo, and may have had a daughter Gisela).
Seiðr of Kattegat. A 200-year-old blind being who 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. In Valhalla, the Seer returns as a spirit guide, who appears to Freydís Eiríksdóttir and Jarl Gorm throughout their lives.
The ambitious king of Vestfold, who seeks to become king of all Norway and marry Ellisif. He allies with Ragnar during his second raid on Paris. He then conquers his neighbours' lands. He joins the Great Heathen Army and battles Aella and Aethelwulf. He fails to conquer Kattegat. He discovers Ellisif is married, and murders her husband, and then kidnaps and marries Astrid. She is killed in battle and he vows vengeance on Lagertha. He sails with Bjorn to retake Kattegat, but their fleet is damaged by a storm. Harald saves Bjorn's life but takes a serious battle wound. Olaf rescues Harald, but occupies Vestfold. Harald's men beg Bjorn for help, and Bjorn repays his debt. When Olaf tries to have Bjorn elected as over-king of Norway, Harald defeats Bjorn in the election, but Harald's men fail to kill Bjorn. Olaf refuses to recognise Harald, so Harald has him put away and sends warriors to secure his borders.
Harald's violent younger brother. He hates Christians and tries to kill as many as possible. He grows tired of living in his brother's shadow and of Harald's war with other Norsemen, and joins Bjorn's expedition to the Mediterranean. They form a close friendship which leads Halfdan to join Lagertha's side when Ivar and Harald declare war. Faced by Harald in battle, he is killed. A composite character of the historical Hastein and historical Halfdan the Black, the father of Harald Fairhair.
Ivar the Boneless
Played by an uncredited infant actor (seasons 2–3), James Quinn Markey (season 4) and Alex Høgh Andersen (seasons 4–6)
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, he is insecure and feels unloved except by 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. Based on the historical Ivar the Boneless.
Hvitserk
Played by Cathal O'Hallin (seasons 2–3), Stephen Rockett (season 4) and Marco Ilsø (seasons 4–6)
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. A composite of the semi-historical or legendary Hvitserk, the historical Halfdan Ragnarsson and the historical warlord Guthrum.
Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye
Played by an uncredited infant actor (seasons 2–3), Elijah O'Sullivan (season 4) and David Lindström (season 4)
Ragnar and Aslaug's third son. Killed by his brother Ivar after years of bullying. Based on the historical Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye.
Ubbe
Played by Cormac Melia (seasons 2–3), Luke Shanahan (season 4) and Jordan Patrick Smith (seasons 4–6)
Ragnar and Aslaug's first son. He is the most responsible of Aslaug's sons, and does not initially take part in raiding, preferring to stay and protect Kattegat. When his mother is killed, he 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.[4] 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 Northmen 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 (east European Viking) 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.
Wife of Jarl Borg, then the wife of Erlendur, later the wife of Bjorn and eventually, the wife of Ubbe. Initially a timid girl, she rises to become a shieldmaiden under Lagertha.
Jarl Olavsonn's wife. Harald becomes enamored with her, but after Olavsonn's death, she marries Bjorn instead. As his wife, she becomes queen of Kattegat. She is based on the quasi-historical Gunnhild.
A wanderer living in Iceland. His real name is Athelstan and he was a monk in England. During his travels as a 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.
Freydís is the daughter of Erik the Red,[8] and the sister of Leif Erikson. She is portrayed as a masculine, strong-willed woman who would defy the odds of her society.
Older brother of Harald, son of Harald Grenske and great grandson of Harald Fairhair. Olaf dreams of becoming King of Norway, usurping Danish rule, and rooting out paganism. Based on the historical Olaf II of Norway.
Haakon was the Jarl of Kattegat, as a vassal under King Canute. Her husband was killed by Christians. Her grandmother was an African noblewoman Haakon's grandfather had met in Alexandria. She was killed during the attack by Jarl Kåre. Based on the historical Haakon Ericsson.
Godwin, the son of a disgraced ealdorman, became one of the most trusted advisors of King Æthelred the Unready of England by delivering him something none of his peers could: the truth. Following Aethelred's death, he serves as an advisor to young King Edmund until the Vikings overrun London following which he becomes an advisor to King Canute. Based on historical Godwin, Earl of Wessex.
Recurring characters
The following is a list of recurring characters, listed in the order that they first appeared on the show.
↑ In season 2, Judith is portrayed by recurring actress Sarah Greene.
↑ In seasons 2 and 3, Angrboda is portrayed by an uncredited infant actress.
↑ In season 3, Alfred is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor. In the first part of season 4, Alfred is portrayed by recurring infant actor Conor O'Hanlon. In the second part of season 4, Alfred is portrayed by recurring child actor Isaac O'Sullivan.
↑ In seasons 3 and 4, Aethelred is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor.
↑ In season 3 and in the first part of season 4, Guthrum is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor. In the second part of season 4, Guthrum is portrayed by recurring child actor Anton Giltrap.
↑ In season 3 and in the first part of season 4, Magnus is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor. In the second part of season 4, Magnus is portrayed by guest child actor Cameron Hogan.
↑ In the second part of season 4, Hali is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor.
↑ In the second part of season 4, Asa is portrayed by an uncredited infant actress. In season 5, Asa is portrayed by recurring child actress Svea Killoran.
Vikings
Svein
Played by David Pearse (season 1)
A loyal henchman of Earl Haraldson. He is killed by Rollo, after Earl Haraldson's death.
Gyda
Played by Ruby O'Leary (seasons 1 and 4)
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.
One of Ragnar's warriors and closest friends. He makes a suicidal attack on the Mercians after having contracted gangrene and amputation of his arm prevents fail to stop the spread.
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 (seasons 1, 5)
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 Erik Tryggvason prior to the events of the series. She is killed by Kjetill.
Queen Ealhswith of Northumbria
Played by Cathy Whyte (seasons 1–2, 4)
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.[12][13]
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 herself after frequently threatening Torvi's son Guthrum. Loosely based on the historical Horik II.
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 (seasons 2–4)
Contender to the throne of Mercia and later its Queen. She has a brother, Prince Burgred, and a putative illegitimate son with Ragnar, Magnus. She is stabbed by Judith after threatening to kill Ecbert. Based on the historical Cwenthryth.
Angrboda
Played by an uncredited infant actress (seasons 2–3) and Rosalie Connerty (season 4)
Floki and Helga's daughter. She dies in childhood.
Prince Burgred
Played by Aaron Monaghan (season 3)
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 (seasons 3–4) and Darren Cahill (season 5)[16]
Prince Aethelwulf and Princess Judith's son. Based on the historical Æthelred of Wessex.
Earl Siegfried
Played by Greg Orvis (season 3)
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 (885–86).
Sinric
Played by Frankie McCafferty (seasons 3–5)
Sinric (Sindric from season 5 onwards) 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 (885–86).
Alfred
Played by an uncredited infant actor (season 3), Conor O'Hanlon (season 4), Isaac O'Sullivan (season 4) and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo (seasons 5–6)
The son of Judith and Athelstan, and later the King of the Anglo-Saxons. 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 (seasons 3–4), Anton Giltrap (season 4) and Ben Roe (season 5)
Jarl Borg and Torvi's son. He is killed in battle by Hvitserk. Loosely based on the historical Danish warlord Guthrum
Magnus
Played by an uncredited infant actor (seasons 3–4), Cameron Hogan (season 4) and Dean Ridge (season 5)
Ragnar and Kwenthrith's supposed illegitimate son. After spending his life as a hostage, he is evicted by Aethelwulf when Ragnar denies being his father. Magnus starts to consider himself a Viking, converts to the Norse religion, and joins Harald. He joins Bjorn and Hvitserk's siege of Kattegat but suffers a crisis of faith. Coming to terms with his new identity, he tries to scale the walls as the battle turns against Bjorn. Magnus is shot to death by White Hair, when he fails to protect himself with his shield. Loosely based of Bagsecg, who also invaded England in 870/71
Chinese slave brought after the siege of Paris who is bought by Queen Aslaug. She becomes protective of the sons of Ragnar and 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 and blackmails him, Ragnar drowns her.
Father Prudentius
Played by Seán Ó Meallaigh (seasons 4)
Serves at the court of King Ecbert.
Waerferth the Scout
Played by Des Carney (season 4)
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 kidnapped by Harald and marries him but grows to become fond of him. When attempting to warn Lagertha of an attack, she is raped by the whaler she tries to bribe. She falls pregnant and unsure if the baby is Harald's or her rapist's, induces Lagertha to kill her during battle, admitting that she was always her true love. After her death, Harald carries her earring around as remembrance and swears vengeance on Lagertha.
Margrethe
Played by Ida Marie Nielsen (seasons 4–5)
One of Aslaug's slaves in Kattegat and the shared lover of Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd. She is disturbed by Ivar and fears him. She is freed and marries 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 murders her using assassins.
Hali
Played by an uncredited infant actor (season 4) and Ryan Henson (seasons 5–6)
Bjorn and Torvi's son. He is killed by White Hair.
Asa
Played by an uncredited infant actor (season 4), Svea Killoran (season 5) and Elodie Curry (season 6)
Bjorn and Torvi's daughter. Falls overboard of a ship after seeing Jörmungandr and dies.
Tanaruz
Played by Sinead Gormally (season 4)
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 (season 5)
A nobleman and member of the clergy of Wessex. After Bishop Heahmund is taken by the Vikings, Cuthred is appointed Bishop of Sherborne in place of Heahmund who is presumed dead. Heahmund later kills him for conspiring against him and Alfred.
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.
Ivar's former slave and love interest. She becomes Queen of Kattegat by marrying Ivar. As Ivar is believed to be impotent, she has sex with a slave whom she later murders in order to produce a child. Freydis claims she conceived through magically consuming Ivar's blood. This and Freydis's sycophancy lead Ivar to declare himself a god. When the child is eventually born, it is deformed. This breaks Ivar's ego 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 violent and bold patriarch of a large family, the son of Eric Tryggvasson. He is chosen by Floki for an expedition to set up a colony. A composite charakter of the legendary Ketill Flatnose and the historical Erik the Red
A Viking of Kattegat who joins Floki's expedition. He becomes disillusioned in Iceland, and becomes antagonistic to Floki. His wife Rafarta's brother was killed by Kjetill's father, which makes him antagonistic to Kjetill. After his son Bul is accidentally killed by Thorgrim, Thorgrim is found drowned; Floki believes Eyvind is responsible. Eyvind's daughter in law Thorunn vanishes. Rafarta claims Thorunn was suicidal, which is disproved when Floki produces her body. Rafarta and Asbjorn are implicated as the murderers and Floki banishes Eyvind and his family. The family is ravaged by disease and weather and sends Helgi for 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 murder 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 peace between the feuding 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 (season 5)
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 (season 5)
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 (seasons 5–6)
Kjetill Flatnose's wife, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony.
Bul
Played by James Craze (season 5)
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 (season 5)
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 (season 5)
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 (seasons 5–6)
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 (season 5)
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 (season 5)
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 (season 5)
King Svase's daughter. She becomes Bjorn's third wife and is killed in battle. Loosely based on the legendary Snæfrithr Svásadottir, a wife of Harald Fairhair.
Lord Cyneheard
Played by Malcolm Douglas (season 5)
An ealdorman of Wessex. He conspires with Prince Aethelred to overthrow King Alfred.
Elsewith
Played by Róisín Murphy (season 5)
Mannel's daughter, Queen Judith's niece and King Alfred's wife. She has an affair with Bjorn.
Thora
Played by Eve Connolly (seasons 5–6)
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. Hvitserk, after consuming psychedelic mushrooms, believes he is haunted by her ghost who implores him to kill Ivar.
A Norwegian king with whom Ivar seeks an alliance. Hvitserk is sent to broker the deal, but Hvitserk instead asks Olaf to help 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, and Olaf saves his life, but also occupies his kingdom and keeps Harald a prisoner. Loosely based of the historical Amlaib Conung
Amma
Played by Kristy Dawn Dinsmore (seasons 5–6)
A shieldmaiden in Harald's army. After the re-conquest of Kattegat by Bjorn she is made Hvitserk's caretaker. She is killed by Ganbaatar in the final battle between the Norwegian collation and the Rus'.
Ingrid
Played by Lucy Martin (season 6)
A slave serving Gunnhild and Bjorn in Kattegat. She becomes the fifth wife of Bjorn. After Harald rapes her and Bjorn is slain in battle, she marries Harald unsure if the child she is carrying is Bjorn's or Harald's. She is later revealed to be a witch, and after Harald's death, Ingrid becomes the sole ruler of Kattegat, ending Ragnar Lothbrok's legacy.
Ganbaatar
Played by Andrei Claude (season 6)
Oleg's captain. He is decapitated by Gunnhild after his horse is shot dead by Ingrid.
Oleg's brother. Oleg tortures him but he escapes after getting help from Ivar.
Prince Igor
Played by Oran Glynn O'Donovan (season 6)
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 is keen to escape to Oleg's brothers Dir and Askold. However, he is aware that he can use Oleg as a puppet, just as Oleg uses him. Igor and Ivar form a bond. Based on the historical Igor of Kiev.
Oleg's second wife, who has a striking resemblance to Freydis. She has an affair with Ivar and it is revealed that she is a spy who was sent by Dir to overthrow Oleg. She later helps Hvitserk, Ivar and Igor escape from Oleg and is present when Oleg dies.
Anna
Played by Serena Kennedy (season 6) and Isabelle Connolly (season 6)
Dir's wife who helps to rescue him.
King Hakon
Played by Mishaël Lopes Cardozo (season 6)
One of the kings of Norway and a rival to Bjorn.
Gudrid
Played by Noella Brennan (season 6)
A settler who travels west with Ubbe's crew. She loses her son at sea. Loosely based of the historical Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir
Naad
Played by Ian Lloyd Anderson (season 6)
A settler who travels west with Ubbe's crew.
Peminuit
Played by Wesley French (season 6)
A Miꞌkmaq warrior of the New Land. He is the eldest son of Pekitaulet, the Sagamaw of her tribe.
We'jitu
Played by Phillip Lewitski (season 6)
A Miꞌkmaq warrior and Peminuit's younger brother. He is killed by Naad.
Vikings: Valhalla
Agnarr
Played by Christopher Rygh
One of Canute's huscarls. He becomes Emma's principal ally and enforcer in season 2 when Canute is away to fight the Vends.
Jarl Kåre
Played by Asbjørn Krogh Nissen
A Norwegian jarl who wants to eradicate paganism in Norway. He hates pagans after his parents offered up his older brother as a human sacrifice in Uppsala when he was a child. He is the principal antagonist of season 1 of Vikings: Valhalla.
Queen Ælfgifu is the first wife of Canute and is the Queen of Denmark. She is from Mercia. Ælfgifu is calculating, ambitious and charming and tries to gain as much power and respect as her husband. Based on the historical Queen Ælfgifu.
King Sweyn Forkbeard is the retired king of Denmark who steps in as acting ruler in England when Canute goes to fight of a Vendish invasion in Denmark. He becomes an unlikely ally to Emma. Based on the historical Sweyn Forkbeard.
The lord of Chude and father of Eleana. He makes a deal to fund Harald's trade expedition to Constantinople so he and his daughter can have his protection on their own diplomatic journey to the city. He drowns in the Dnieper when the frozen river breaks during thaw.
The daughter of the Chude lord Vitomir. She becomes romantically involved with Harald during their perilous journey through Rus.
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 (seasons 1 and 3) and André Eriksen (season 4) as Odin, appearing to Ragnar and his sons
Gary Murphy as Bishop Unwan, serving at the court of King Aelle (seasons 1, 4)
Carl Shaaban as Jesus, appearing to Athelstan and Ragnar (seasons 2–3)
Søren Pilmark as Stender, a farmer who escaped Wessex after Aethelwulf's raid (seasons 3–4)
Siggy (played by an uncredited infant actress), Þórunn and Bjorn's daughter who dies in childhood (seasons 3–4)
Conn Rogers as Canute, a member of King Olaf's court (seasons 5–6)
Martin Maloney as Vigrid, one of Ivar's men (seasons 5–6)
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
Trevor Cooper as Earl Bjarni, Thyri's husband who is far older than her and is later killed by Siggy
Ragnar Lodbrok, according to legends, was a Viking hero and a Swedish and Danish king.
Sigurd Ring according to legend was a king of the Swedes, being mentioned in many old Scandinavian sagas. According to these sources he was granted rulership over Sweden as a vassal king under his uncle Harald Wartooth. Later he would take up arms against his uncle Harald in a bid to overthrow him and take the crown of Denmark, a conflict which Sigurd eventually won after the legendary Battle of the Brávellir, where it is said that Odin himself intervened and killed Harald. In the Sagas, Sigurd is also known for being the father of the Norse Viking hero and legendary king of Denmark and Sweden, Ragnar Lodbrok. According to Bósa saga ok Herrauds, there was once a saga on Sigurd Ring, but this saga is now lost.
Harald Wartooth or Harold Hiltertooth was a semi-legendary king of Denmark who is mentioned in several traditional sources. He is held to have (indirectly) succeeded his father as king of Zealand and to have expanded his realm. According to different sources, he may have ruled over Jutland, part of Sweden and the historical northern German province of Wendland. He is said to have been finally defeated and killed at the legendary Battle of Bråvalla.
Björn Ironside, according to Norse legends, was a Norse Viking chief and Swedish king. According to the 12th- and 13th-century Scandinavian histories, he was the son of notorious Viking king Ragnar Lodbrok and lived in the 9th century AD, attested in 855 and 858. Björn Ironside is said to have been the first ruler of the Swedish Munsö dynasty. In the early 18th century, a barrow on the island of Munsö was claimed by antiquarians to be Björn Järnsidas hög or Björn Ironside's barrow.
Eysteinn Beli or Eysteinn hinn illráði, Swedish: Östen Illråde (ill-ruler) or Östen Beli, was a semi-legendary king of Sweden who would have ruled in the late 8th century.
Sigurd Snake-in-the-eye or Sigurd Ragnarsson was a semi-legendary Viking warrior and Danish king active from the mid to late 9th century. According to multiple saga sources and Scandinavian histories from the 12th century and later, he is one of the sons of the legendary Viking Ragnar Lodbrok and Áslaug. His historical prototype might have been the Danish King Sigfred who ruled briefly in the 870s. Norwegian kings' genealogies of the Middle Ages name him as an ancestor of Harald Fairhair and used his mother's supposed ancestry to Völsung in order to create an ancestry between Harald and his descendants and Odin.
Hvitserk was one of the sons of the legendary 9th-century Viking Ragnar Lodbrok and his wife Aslaug.
Halfdan Ragnarsson was a Viking leader and a commander of the Great Heathen Army which invaded the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England, starting in 865.
Ælla was King of Northumbria, a kingdom in medieval England, during the middle of the 9th century. Sources on Northumbrian history in this period are limited, and so Ælla's ancestry is not known, and the dating of the beginning of his reign is questionable.
Osberht was king of Northumbria in the middle of the 9th century. Sources on Northumbrian history in this period are limited. Osberht's descent is not known and the dating of his reign is problematic.
The Tale of Ragnar's sons is an Old Norse story about Ragnar Lodbrok and his sons.
Lagertha, according to legend, was a Viking ruler and shield-maiden from what is now Norway, and the onetime wife of the famous Viking Ragnar Lodbrok. Her tale was recorded by the chronicler Saxo in the 12th century. According to the historian Judith Jesch, Saxo's tales about warrior women are largely fictional; other historians wrote that they may have a basis in tales about the Norse deity Thorgerd.
Vikings is a historical drama television series created and written by Michael Hirst. A co-production between Canada and Ireland, the series originally aired on the History Channel, premiering on 3 March 2013 and concluding on 30 December 2020, when the second half of the sixth season was released in its entirety on Amazon Prime Video in the Republic of Ireland, ahead of its broadcast on History in Canada from January 1 to March 3, 2021. A sequel series, titled Vikings: Valhalla, premiered on Netflix on February 25, 2022.
The second season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on February 27, 2014 on History in Canada, and concluded on May 1, 2014, consisting of ten episodes. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons. The first season of the series begins at the start of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.
Vikings is a historical drama television series created and written by Michael Hirst for the Canadian television channel History. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and in later seasons those of his sons. The first season premiered on March 3, 2013 in Canada and concluded on April 28, 2013, consisting of nine episodes. It begins at the start of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793, and follows Ragnar's quest to become Earl, and his desire to raid England.
The third season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on February 19, 2015 on History in Canada, and concluded on April 23, 2015, consisting of ten episodes. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons. The first season of the series begins at the start of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.
The fourth season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on February 18, 2016 on History in Canada. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons. The first season of the series begins at the start of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.
The fifth season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on 29 November 2017 on History in Canada. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons.
The sixth and final season of the historical drama television series Vikings premiered on December 4, 2019, on History in Canada. The series broadly follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew, and later those of his sons.
Ragnar "Lothbrok" Sigurdsson is a main character in the historical drama series Vikings, created by Canadian network History. He is portrayed by Travis Fimmel and is based on Ragnar Lodbrok, a 9th-century Viking farmer and warrior who raided Anglo-Saxon villages in England.
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