Vikings
Vikings
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Vikings

8.1
Yr 2013
Status Ended
Action & Adventure Drama War & Politics
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Series Brief

Overview

The adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok, the greatest hero of his age. The series tells the sagas of Ragnar's band of Viking brothers and his family, as he rises to become King of the Viking tribes. As well as being a fearless warrior, Ragnar embodies the Norse traditions of devotion to the gods. Legend has it that he was a direct descendant of Odin, the god of war and warriors.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 75 /100

Vikings is generally regarded as an engaging and well-produced historical drama that successfully balances intense action with character-driven storytelling. Critics frequently praise Travis Fimmel's performance as Ragnar Lothbrok, noting that the series offers a compelling "warts and all" look at Norse culture despite its historical liberties and occasional melodramatic tropes.

While the show is noted for its graphic violence and mature themes, many reviewers view it as a transporting and high-quality production. Consensus generally suggests that while it may not satisfy those looking for strict historical accuracy, it succeeds as an entertaining and immersive saga that evolved in quality throughout its run.

“A winning combination of action and historical drama that should attract a robust audience.”

“Vikings is engaging and reasonably astute.”

“A series of appreciably higher quality.”

“A fantastic series that will introduce you to a whole new set of historical figures and may inspire some supplementary research.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Netflix
US • CA • UK
Why fans love it

Premiering in 2013, this historical fiction drama plunges straight into the relentless energy of 8th-century Scandinavia. The narrative centers on Ragnar Lothbrok, played by Travis Fimmel, tracking his rise from a fearless warrior to the King of the Viking tribes. Anyone looking for stories set in the Dark Ages gets a heavy dose of battle violence, political maneuvering, and exciting action.

What grounds the series is its attention to Norse tradition alongside physical conflict. Ragnar's story weaves in deep devotion to the gods, driven by the legend that he descended directly from Odin, the god of war and warriors. As the drama expands to follow his family and band of brothers, the show balances raw combat with the complex politics of the era.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 16
Longest run 76 eps
Travis Fimmel
Travis Fimmel
as Ragnar Lothbrok
49 episodes
Alex Høgh Andersen
Alex Høgh Andersen
as Ivar Lothbrok / Ivar the Boneless
51 episodes
Gustaf Skarsgård
Gustaf Skarsgård
as Floki
71 episodes
Jordan Patrick Smith
Jordan Patrick Smith
as Ubbe Lothbrok
51 episodes
Clive Standen
Clive Standen
as Rollo
51 episodes
Marco Ilsø
Marco Ilsø
as Hvitserk Lothbrok
49 episodes
Katheryn Winnick
Katheryn Winnick
as Lagertha
76 episodes
Gabriel Byrne
Gabriel Byrne
as Earl Haraldson
9 episodes
Show 67 more
Jessalyn Gilsig as Siggy Haraldson 24 episodes Peter Franzén as King Harald Finehair 54 episodes Alexander Ludwig as Bjorn Lothbrok 71 episodes Alyssa Sutherland as Aslaug 41 episodes Georgia Hirst as Torvi 69 episodes Maude Hirst as Helga 44 episodes George Blagden as Athelstan 33 episodes Ferdia Walsh-Peelo as Alfred 24 episodes Linus Roache as King Ecbert 41 episodes Donal Logue as King Horik 12 episodes Moe Dunford as Aethelwulf 41 episodes Danila Kozlovsky as Prince Oleg of Novgorod 20 episodes Tadhg Murphy as Arne 8 episodes Jefferson Hall as Torstein 20 episodes Ben Robson as Kalf 14 episodes Jasper Pääkkönen as Halfdan the Black 23 episodes Josefin Asplund as Astrid 19 episodes Ida Marie Nielsen as Margrethe 20 episodes Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Bishop Heahmund 17 episodes Jennie Jacques as Judith 42 episodes John Kavanagh as The Seer 41 episodes Nathan O'Toole as Bjorn Lothbrok 14 episodes Ruby O'Leary as Gyda 12 episodes Amy Bailey as Queen Kwenthrith 13 episodes Huw Parmenter as Roland 14 episodes Jack McEvoy as Helgi the Lean 11 episodes Roisin Murphy as Elsewith 11 episodes Lucy Martin as Ingrid 18 episodes Ray Stevenson as Othere 11 episodes Thorbjørn Harr as Jarl Borg 9 episodes Cormac Melia as Ubbe 14 episodes Cathal O'Hallin as Hvitserk 13 episodes Gaia Weiss as Porunn 13 episodes Alicia Agneson as Freydis 21 episodes Owen Roe as Count Odo 12 episodes Stephen Rockett as Hvitserk 8 episodes Luke Shanahan as Ubbe 8 episodes Edvin Endre as Erlendur 22 episodes Chris McHallem as Ealdorman 2 8 episodes Elijah O'Sullivan as Sigurd 8 episodes Lothaire Bluteau as Emperor Charles 13 episodes Karen Hassan as Therese 12 episodes Morgane Polanski as Princess Gisla 16 episodes Ivan Kaye as King Aelle 12 episodes Philip O'Sullivan as Bishop Edmund 20 episodes David Lindström as Sigurd Lothbrok 12 episodes Frankie McCafferty as Sinric 9 episodes Ben Roe as Guthrum 9 episodes Mei Bignall as Thorunn 9 episodes Darren Cahill as Aethelred 14 episodes Kristen Holden-Ried as Eyvind 11 episodes Donna Dent as Rafarta 10 episodes Elijah Rowen as Asbjorn 10 episodes Leah McNamara as Aud 12 episodes Steven Berkoff as King Olaf the Stout 12 episodes Adam Copeland as Kjetill Flatnose 25 episodes Kelly Campbell as Ingvild 18 episodes Kieran O'Reilly as White Hair 10 episodes Ryan Henson as Hali 13 episodes Kristy Dawn Dinsmore as Amma 11 episodes Oran Glynn O'Donovan as Igor 13 episodes Elodie Curry as Asa 11 episodes Scott Graham as Frodi 18 episodes Ragga Ragnars as Gunnhild 22 episodes Eric Johnson as Erik 14 episodes Graham Gill as Elder Viking Warrior (uncredited) 13 episodes Derek Carroll as Viking (uncredited) 15 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Vikings overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

scandinavia vikings (norsemen) royalty historical fiction king battle historical middle ages (476-1453) dark ages norse mythology historical drama warrior 8th century period piece violence sword and sandal exciting action antagonistic violent
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
March 03, 2013
Status
Ended
Origin
CA
TMDB Votes
7,786