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{{about||Stop asking humbly to help the 2012 BBC Documentary series|Vikings (TV documentary series)}}
Stop asking humbly to help the 2012 BBC Documentary series|Vikings (TV documentary series)}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| show_name = Vikings
| show_name = Vikings
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On April 5, 2013, History renewed Vikings for a ten-episode second season.<ref name="Renewed">{{cite news|work=Seat42f|title=Vikings Renewed|url=http://www.seat42f.com/history-renews-vikings-for-a-second-season.html|date=April 5, 2013 |accessdate=August 4, 2013}}</ref>
On April 5, 2013, History renewed Vikings for a ten-episode second season.<ref name="Renewed">{{cite news|work=Seat42f|title=Vikings Renewed|url=http://www.seat42f.com/history-renews-vikings-for-a-second-season.html|date=April 5, 2013 |accessdate=August 4, 2013}}</ref>


Two new series regulars were announced on June 11, 2013. [[Alexander Ludwig]], portraying the teenage [[Björn Ironside|Björn]], and [[Linus Roache]], playing [[Egbert of Wessex|King Ecbert of Wessex]].<ref>Goldberg, Lesley. [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/vikings-enlists-hunger-games-law-566206 'Vikings' Enlists 'Hunger Games', 'Law & Order' Actors for Season 2], ''The Hollywood Reporter'', June 11, 2013. Accessed January 5, 2014.</ref> Season two undergoes a jump in time, aging the young Björn (Nathan O'Toole) into an older [[swordsman]] portrayed by Ludwig. The older Björn has not seen his father, Ragnar, for "a long period of time". Lagertha remarries to a powerful [[Earl#Scandinavia|''jarl'']], a stepfather who provides harsh guidance to Björn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://screencrush.com/vikings-season-2-spoilers-time-jump/ |title='Vikings' Season 2 Spoilers: What Will the Time Jump Change? |first=Kevin |last=Fitzpatrick |date=July 9, 2013 |work=[[ScreenCrush]]}}</ref>
Two new series regulars were announced on June 11, 2013. [[Alexander Ludwig]], portraying the teenage [[Björn Ironside|Björn]], and [[Linus Roache]], playing [[Egbert of Wessex|King Ecbert of Wessex]].<ref>Goldberg, Lesley. [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/vikings-enlists-hunger-games-law-566206 'Vikings' Enlists 'Hunger Games', 'Law & Order' Actors for Season 2], ''The Hollywood Reporter'', June 11, 2013. A

Edvin Endre, son of Swedish actress [[Lena Endre]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/tv/article17038051.ab |title=Edvin Endre klar för HBO-serie |trans-title=Edvin Endre ready for HBO series |newspaper=[[Aftonbladet]] |language=sv |date=2013-06-28}}</ref> and Anna Åström signed up for roles in season two.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/tv/article17100382.ab |title=Siktar på roll i Skarsgårds vikingaserie |trans-title=Aiming for role in Skarsgård's Viking series |newspaper=[[Aftonbladet]] |language=sv |date=2013-07-09}}</ref> Endre had the role of Erlendur, one of King Horik's sons.

[[Jeff Woolnough]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marcociglia.com/index.php/filmography/ |title=Selected Filmography |publisher=Marco Ciglia}}</ref> and [[Kari Skogland]] joined Ken Girotti and Ciaran Donnelly as directors of season two.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.casarotto.co.uk/assets/x/51853.pdf |title=PJ Dillon |publisher=Casarotto}}</ref>

Michael Hirst announced plans for season four before season three had begun airing.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vikings Season 3 Trailer Details| url=http://screenrant.com/vikings-season-3-trailer-details/|publisher=screenrant.com | accessdate=March 16, 2015 |date=August 11, 2014}}</ref> Season four began production around the [[Dublin]] area in April 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Casting Call Announced History Channel Vikings| url=http://www.auditionsfree.com/2015/open-casting-calls-announced-history-channels-vikings/|publisher=auditionsfree.com | accessdate=March 19, 2015 |date=March 19, 2015}}</ref>

Finnish actors [[Peter Franzén]] and [[Jasper Pääkkönen]], as well as Canadian actress Dianne Doan joined the cast of season four. Franzén played Norwegian King [[Harald Finehair]], a potential rival to Ragnar. Pääkkönen was cast as [[Halfdan the Black]], Finehair's brother. Doan portrays Yidu, a Chinese character who has a major role in the first half of the fourth season.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/vikings-season-4-spoilers-793610 | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | title='Vikings' Season 4 Spoilers | date=May 5, 2015}}</ref>

At the same time that the series was renewed for a fifth season, it was announced that [[Irish people|Irish]] actor [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]] would be joining the cast,<ref name="Season5" /> as Heahmund, a "warrior bishop". Vikings creator Michael Hirst, explained: "I was looking at the history books, and I came across these warrior bishops. The antecedents of the Knights Templar: these are people who were absolutely religious, yet they put on armor and they fought. Don't let their priestly status fool you, either. 'They were crazy! They believed totally in Christianity and the message, and yet, on the battlefield, they were totally berserk.'" <ref>{{cite web|url=http://ew.com/tv/2017/01/26/vikings-jonathan-rhys-meyers-bishop-season-5/|title='Vikings' Creator Talks Jonathan Rhys Meyers' New Character|date=26 January 2017|publisher=}}</ref>

Former [[WWE]] star [[Adam Copeland]], (a.k.a. Edge), was cast in a recurring role for season five, as [[Ketill Flatnose]], a violent and bold warrior. He is chosen by Floki to lead an expedition to Iceland to set up a colony.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2016/07/wwe-star-edge-adam-copeland-vikings-season-5-recurring-history-channel-1201792909/|title=WWE Star Edge Joins ‘Vikings’ Season five In Recurring Role|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=26 July 2016|publisher=[[Deadline.com]]}}</ref> Irish actor Darren Cahill will play the role of [[Æthelred of Wessex|Aethelred]] in the upcoming season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4289429&tpl=archnews&force=1|title=‘Red Rock’ actor Darren Cahill joins ‘Vikings’ Season 5|publisher=[[The Irish Film & Television Network]]}}</ref> Nigerian actor Stanley Amuzie told local media he had landed a small role in the upcoming season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pulse.ng/movies/stanley-aguzie-nollywood-actor-lands-role-in-vikings-id5435474.html|title=Stanley Aguzie: Nollywood actor lands role in "Vikings"|first=Chidumga|last=Izuzu|publisher=Pulse.ng}}</ref> Season five will also include Irish actor, musician and real-life police detective, [[Kieran O'Reilly (performer)|Kieran O'Reilly]], who will play the role of "White Hair".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/how-do-we-pitch-ireland-as-a-movie-location-to-hollywood-35197395.html |title=How do we pitch Ireland as a movie location to Hollywood? |work=[[Irish Independent]] |date=17 November 2016 |accessdate=12 December 2016}}</ref>

Norwegian music group [[Wardruna]] provided much of the background music to the series. Wardruna's founder [[Einar Kvitrafn Selvik]] also appeared as an actor in the show as a shaman..<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghostcultmag.com/einar-kvitrafn-selvik-wardruna-appearing-on-history-channels-vikings/|title=Einar Kvitrafn Selvik (Wardruna) Appearing On History Channel’s Vikings|date=February 15, 2015|work=Ghost Cult Magazine|accessdate=January 11, 2017}}</ref>

In April 2017 it was announced that Danish actor Erik Madsen will join the cast for season five, as [[Hemming of Denmark|King Hemmig]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2017/04/unreal-casts-tracie-thoms-erik-madsen-vikings-1202068598/|title=‘UnReal’ Casts Tracie Thoms; Erik Madsen Joins ‘Vikings’|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=12 April 2017|publisher=}}</ref> He spent several months of 2016 on the set of [[The Last Kingdom (TV series)|''The Last Kingdom'']], portraying a Viking.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrk.no/kultur/erik-madsen-i-ny-hovdingrolle-i-_vikings_-1.13476603|title=Erik Madsen i ny høvdingrolle i «Vikings»|first=|last=NRK|publisher=}}</ref>

Russian actor [[Danila Kozlovsky]] joins the series for season six, as [[Oleg of Novgorod]], the 10th century [[Varangian]] (east European Vikings) ruler of the [[Rus' people]]. Coincidentally, Kozlovsky headlined the big-budget 2016 Russian feature ''[[Viking (film)|Viking]]'', playing one of Oleg’s successors, [[Vladimir the Great]], Prince of [[Novgorod]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2017/09/vikings-russian-actor-danila-kozlovsky-cast-season-6-history-series-1202168209/|title=‘Vikings’: Russian Actor Danila Kozlovsky To Star In Season 6 Of History Series|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=12 September 2017|publisher=}}</ref>

==Broadcast==
{{main article|List of Vikings episodes}}
{{:List of Vikings episodes}}

''Vikings'' premiered on March 3, 2013 in Canada<ref>{{cite web|last=Ricthie |first=Kevin |title=History to debut scripted series Vikings in March |url=http://playbackonline.ca/2012/12/20/history-to-debut-scripted-series-vikings-in-march/ |publisher=[[Playback (website)|Playback]] |accessdate=January 22, 2013 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6Ds0ZfhWQ?url=http://playbackonline.ca/2012/12/20/history-to-debut-scripted-series-vikings-in-march/ |archivedate=January 22, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> and the United States.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4285668&tpl=archnews&force=1 |title=The History Channel Announces 'Vikings' Broadcast DateThe Irish Film & Television Network |publisher=[[Irish Film and Television Network]] |date=December 20, 2012 |accessdate=January 6, 2013}}</ref> ''Vikings'' was renewed for a fourth season in March 2015 with an extended order of 20 episodes, which premiered on February 18, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nicholson|first1=Max|title=Vikings Renewed for Season 4|url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2015/03/26/vikings-renewed-for-season-4|publisher=IGN|accessdate=March 27, 2015|date=March 26, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Season4Episodes">{{cite web|last=Mathew|first=Ilin|title='Vikings' Season 4 Spoilers: Queen Aslaug to be Leader; Will Rollo Follow Ragnar's Footsteps?|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/vikings-season-4-spoilers-queen-aslaug-be-leader-will-rollo-follow-ragnars-footsteps-638018|publisher=International Business Times|accessdate=July 31, 2015|date=July 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2015/12/17/historys-vikings-season-4-premiere-date/|title=Vikings Gets Supersized Season 4, Premiere Date, ‘Last Supper’-y Poster – TVLine|author=Matt Webb Mitovich|work=TVLine}}</ref> On March 17, 2016, History renewed ''Vikings'' for a fifth season of 20 episodes, which premiered on November 29, 2017.<ref name="Season5">{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/vikings-renewed-fifth-season-at-876595|title='Vikings' Renewed for Fifth Season at History|author=Lesley Goldberg|date=March 17, 2016|accessdate=March 17, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2017/07/history-vikings-season-premiere-trailer-comic-con-1202132869/|title=‘Vikings’ Gets Trailer & Season Premiere Date – Comic-Con|author=Greg Evans|date=July 22, 2017|accessdate=July 22, 2017|work=Deadline}}</ref> On September 12, 2017, ahead of its fifth-season premiere, the series was renewed for a sixth season of 20 episodes.<ref name="Season6">{{cite web|url=http://ew.com/tv/2017/09/12/vikings-renewed-season-6/|title=Vikings renewed for sixth season|last=Franich|first=Darren|date=September 12, 2017|work=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=September 12, 2017}}</ref>

In the UK, ''Vikings'' premiered on May 24, 2013 where it was exclusively available on the streaming video-on-demand service [[LoveFilm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2013/05/lovefilm-acquires-exclusive-uk-rights-to-historys-vikings-sets-premiere-for-may-24th/|title=LOVEFiLM Acquires Exclusive UK Rights To History’s ‘Vikings’, Sets Premiere For May 24th|last=Munn|first=Patrick|work=TV Wise|date=May 10, 2013|accessdate=January 28, 2015}}</ref> The second season premiered on March 24, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2015/01/history-uk-sets-premiere-date-vikings-season-2/|title=History UK Sets Premiere Date For ‘Vikings’ Season 2|last=Munn|first=Patrick|work=TV Wise|date=January 28, 2015|accessdate=January 28, 2015}}</ref> The third season began airing on February 20, 2015 on [[Amazon Video]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2015/02/amazon-prime-instant-video-uk-picks-uk-rights-vikings-season-3/|last=Munn|first=Patrick|date=February 3, 2015|work=TV Wise|title=Amazon Prime Instant Video Picks Up UK Rights To ‘Vikings’ Season 3, Sets Premiere For February 20th|accessdate=February 3, 2015}}</ref>

In Australia, the series premiered on August 8, 2013 on [[SBS One]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/07/airdate-vikings.html|title=Airdate: 'Vikings'|work=[[TV Tonight]]|date=July 31, 2013|accessdate=August 8, 2013}}</ref> It was later moved to [[FX Australia|FX]], which debuted the second season on February 4, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://community.foxtel.com.au/t5/Foxtel-Blog/New-this-week-Black-Sails-Selling-Houses-Australia-Big-Cat-Week/ba-p/43232|title=New this week: Black Sails, Selling Houses Australia, Big Cat Week and Snowboarding World Cup|last=Higgins|first=D|work=The Green Room|publisher=Foxtel|date=February 2, 2015|accessdate=February 3, 2015}}</ref> Season three of Vikings began broadcasting in Australia on SBS One on March 19, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.residententertainment.com/vikings-season-3-australian-release-date/|title=Vikings Season 3 Australian Release Date|last=Weatherall|first=Bryan|publisher=Resident Entertainment|date=February 13, 2015|accessdate=February 16, 2015}}</ref> Season four of Vikings began broadcasting in Australia on SBS One on February 24, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.residententertainment.com/vikings-season-4-australian-release-date/|title=Vikings Season 4 Australian Release Date|last=Weatherall|first=Bryan|publisher=Resident Entertainment|date=January 16, 2016|accessdate=January 16, 2016}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{See also|List of awards and nominations received by Vikings}}

===Reviews===
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; text-align:center; margin:10px"
|+ [[Metacritic]] ratings per season
|-
|{{Line chart
| color_background = white
| width = 300
| height = 200
| padding_left = 30
| padding_right = 20
| padding_top = 10
| padding_bottom = 20
| number_of_series = 1
| number_of_x-values = 3
| label_x1 = Season 1 | label_x2 = Season 2 | label_x3 = Season 3
| y_max = 100
| y_min= 70
| scale = yes
| points = yes
| color_series_1 = red
| thickness_series1 = 1
| S01V01 = 71 | S01V02 = 77 | S01V03 = 81
}}
|-
|<!-- begin inner table -->
{| style="text-align:center;"
|-
|
! scope=col | {{Small|[[Vikings (season 1)|Season 1]]}}
! scope=col | {{Small|[[Vikings (season 2)|Season 2]]}}
! scope=col | {{Small|[[Vikings (season 3)|Season 3]]}}
|-
! scope=row | Rating
| {{formatnum:71}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Vikings: Season 1 |publisher=Metacritic |accessdate=January 5, 2016 |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/vikings }}</ref>
| {{formatnum:77}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Vikings: Season 2 |publisher=Metacritic |accessdate=January 5, 2016 |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/vikings/season-2 }}</ref>
| {{formatnum:81}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/vikings/season-3 |title=Vikings: Season 3 |publisher=Metacritic |accessdate=January 5, 2016}}</ref>
|}
<!-- end inner table -->
|}
The first episode received favourable reviews, with an average rating of 71% according to ''[[Metacritic]]''.<ref name="Metacritic">{{metacritic television|id=vikings|title=Vikings}}</ref> [[Alan Sepinwall]] of ''[[HitFix]]'' praised the casting, notably of Fimmel as Ragnar, and observed that ''Vikings'' "isn't complicated. It ... relies on the inherent appeal of the era and these characters to drive the story."<ref>{{cite news|last=Sepinwall|first=Alan |authorlink=Alan Sepinwall|title=Review: History's 'Vikings' a bloody good time|url=http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watching/review-historys-vikings-a-bloody-good-time|accessdate=March 10, 2013 |work=What's Alan Watching? |publisher=[[HitFix]]|date=March 1, 2013}}</ref> Nancy DeWolf Smith of ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' noted the "natural and authentic" setting and costumes, and appreciated that ''Vikings'' was (unlike, e.g., ''[[Spartacus (TV series)|Spartacus]]'') not a celebration of sex and violence, but "a study of character, stamina, power and ... of social, emotional and even intellectual awakening".<ref>{{cite news|last=DeWolf Smith|first=Nancy|title=The Norse Code|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324662404578331950332816528|accessdate=March 10, 2013|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=March 1, 2013}}</ref> [[Hank Stuever]], writing for the ''[[Washington Post]]'', said that the "compelling and robust new drama series ... delivers all the expected gore and blood spatter", but that it successfully adapted the skills of [[cable television]] drama, with the care taken in acting, writing and sense of scope reminiscent of ''[[Rome (TV series)|Rome]]'', ''[[Sons of Anarchy]]'' and ''[[Game of Thrones]]''. He also suggested that the way the series emphasized "a core pride and nobility in this tribe of thugs" reflected "just another iteration of [[Tony Soprano]]".<ref>{{cite news|last=Stuever|first=Hank|title=In History's compelling 'Vikings,' Hägar the Hipster is a brute charmer |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/in-historys-compelling-vikings-hagar-the-hipster-is-a-brute-charmer/2013/02/28/e41bd9b6-8042-11e2-8074-b26a871b165a_story.html |accessdate=March 10, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=February 28, 2013}}</ref> [[Neil Genzlinger]], in ''[[The New York Times]]'', praised the "arresting" cinematography and the actors' performances, notably Fimmel's, and favorably contrasted ''Vikings'' to ''Game of Thrones'' and ''Spartacus'' for the absence of gratuitous nudity.<ref>{{cite news|last=Genzlinger|first=Neil|title=You Plunder, I'll Pillage, Maybe We'll Find England|url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2013/03/02/arts/television/vikings-mini-series-on-history-from-michael-hirst.html?_r=0|accessdate=March 10, 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 1, 2013}}</ref>

In ''[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]'', [[James Poniewozik]] noted that the relatively simple generational conflict underlying ''Vikings'' "doesn't nearly have the narrative ambition of a ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' or the political subtleties of a ''[[Rome (TV series)|Rome]]''", nor these series' skill with dialogue, but that it held up pretty well compared to the "tabloid history" of ''[[The Tudors]]'' and ''[[The Borgias (2011 TV series)|The Borgias]]''. He concluded that "Vikings' larger story arc is really more about historical forces" than about its not very complex characters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Poniewozik|first=James|authorlink=James Poniewozik|title=TV Weekend: History Launches Vikings (and an Action-Packed Bible) |url=http://entertainment.time.com/2013/03/01/tv-weekend-history-launches-vikings-and-an-action-packed-bible/ |accessdate=March 10, 2013|newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=March 1, 2013}}</ref> Clark Collis of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' appreciated the performances, but considered ''Vikings'' to be "kind of a mess", lacking the intrigue of ''The Tudors'' and ''Game of Thrones''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Collis|first=Clark|title=Vikings (2013) |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20677795,00.html |accessdate=March 10, 2013 |newspaper=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=February 27, 2013}}</ref> Brian Lowry criticized the series in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' as an "unrelenting cheese-fest" and as a "more simpleminded version of ''Game of Thrones''", but considered that it had "a level of atmosphere and momentum that makes it work as a mild diversion".<ref>{{cite news|last=Lowry|first=Brian|title=TV Review: 'Vikings'|url=http://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/tv-review-vikings-820763/|accessdate=March 10, 2013|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=February 27, 2013}}</ref> In the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'', David Wiegand was disappointed by the series's "glacial pace" and lack of action as well as the "flabby direction and a gassy script", while appreciating the performances and characters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wiegand|first=David|title='Vikings' review: It takes a pillage|url=http://www.sfgate.com/tv/article/Vikings-review-It-takes-a-pillage-4317405.php|accessdate=March 10, 2013|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|date=February 28, 2013}}</ref>

The second season received a Metacritic rating of 77%, and a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 92% based on twelve professional critic reviews.

===Ratings===
According to [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen]], the series premiere drew six million viewers in the U.S., topping all broadcast networks among viewers aged 18 to 49. An earlier claim of over eighteen million viewers was later retracted by the channel with an apology.<ref>{{cite news |last=de Moraes| first=Lisa |title=History channel apologizes after boasting about 'Vikings' ratings |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/history-channel-apologizes-after-boasting-about-vikings-ratings/2013/03/05/10ce74c0-85eb-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_blog.html |accessdate=March 10, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=March 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='Vikings' Has Number 1 Cable Series Premiere of the Year With 8.3 Million Total Viewers on the Night |publisher=[[TV by the Numbers]] |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/03/04/vikings-has-number-1-cable-series-premiere-of-the-year-with-8-3-million-total-viewers-on-the-night/171885}}</ref>

In Canada, the premiere had 1.1 million viewers. The first season averaged 942,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv-eh.com/2013/04/05/vikings-picked-up-for-second-season/ |title=Vikings picked up for second season |first=Diane |last=Wild |work=TV, eh? |date=2013-04-05}}</ref>

===Historical accuracy===
Some critics have pointed out historical inaccuracies in the series's depiction of Viking society. Lars Walker, in the magazine ''[[The American Spectator]],'' criticized its portrayal of early Viking Age government (represented by Earl<!-- Not Jarl; the series website spells it with an E --> Haraldson) as autocratic rather than essentially democratic.<ref>{{cite news|last=Walker|first=Lars|title=History Channel Gets Vikings Precisely Wrong |url=http://spectator.org/articles/33770/history-channel-gets-vikings-precisely-wrong |accessdate=March 12, 2013|newspaper=[[The American Spectator]]|date=March 12, 2013}}</ref> Joel Robert Thompson criticized depiction of the Scandinavians' supposed ignorance of the existence of Britain and Ireland, and of the death penalty rather than [[outlawry]] (''skoggangr'') as their most serious punishment.<ref>{{cite news|last=Balar|first=Keya|title=Historical Inaccuracies in 'Vikings'|url=http://www.dailytargum.com/inside_beat/tv/historical-inaccuracies-in-vikings/article_fdfc4670-8c3d-11e2-93df-001a4bcf6878.html|accessdate=April 14, 2013|newspaper=[[Daily Targum]]|date=March 14, 2013}}</ref>

Monty Dobson, a historian at [[Central Michigan University]], criticised the depiction of Viking Age clothing, but went on to say that fictional shows like ''Vikings'' could still be a useful teaching tool.<ref>Dobson, Monty (March 18, 2013) [http://www.livescience.com/27997-viking-obsession-history-channel.html Obsessed with the Good and Bad of ‘Vikings’], ''[[LiveScience]]'', retrieved April 17, 2013</ref> The Norwegian newspaper ''[[Aftenposten]]'' reported that the series incorrectly depicted the [[temple at Uppsala]] as a [[stave church]] in the mountains, whereas the historical temple was [[Uppland|situated on flat land]] and stave churches were a hallmark of later Christian architecture.<ref>{{cite news|title=TV-serie om vikinger skaper latter for historiske tabber|url=https://www.aftenposten.no/kultur/TV-serie-om-vikinger-skaper-latter-for-historiske-tabber-7183762.html|accessdate=April 25, 2013|newspaper=Aftenposten|date=April 24, 2013}}</ref> On the other hand, the temple as depicted does have similarities with reconstructions of the [[Uppåkra hof]].

[[List of Vikings characters#Main characters|Many characters]] are based on (or inspired by) real people from history or legend, and the major events portrayed are broadly drawn from history. However, events from over a hundred years have been condensed, so that people who could never have met are shown as of similar age, with the historical events amended for dramatic effect. For example, season one leads up to the [[Lindisfarne#Vikings|attack on Lindisfarne Abbey]] of 793 (before the [[Rollo|real Rollo]] was born), but in season three the same characters at roughly the same ages participate in the [[Siege of Paris (845)|Siege of Paris]] of 845. By this time, Ecbert had been dead for over forty years, and [[King Alfred the Great]] was already king, yet he is still portrayed as a child in season four. Rollo is portrayed having his followers killed, and fighting his fellow Vikings, whereas in history they were [[Rollo#Descendants|granted what became Normandy]] and continued to co-operate with their Norse kinsmen. Furthermore, most of the principal characters are portrayed as being from Norway, while according to primary sources they would most likely have been Danes.

Little is known about Viking religious practice<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/vikings/religion_01.shtml|accessdate=16 December 2016|title=Viking Religion|publisher=BBC}}</ref> and so its depiction is largely creative. When [[Katheryn Winnick]] was asked why she licked the seer's hand she answered: "It wasn't originally in the script and we just wanted to come up with something unique and different".<ref>{{cite news |first=Ron |last=Johnson |url=http://www.postcity.com/Eat-Shop-Do/Do/February-2014/The-beauty-and-the-beheading-Toronto-star-returns-in-new-season-of-Vikings/ |title=The beauty and the beheading Toronto star returns in new season of Vikings |work=[[Post City Magazines]] |date=February 15, 2014}}</ref> Regarding the historical differences and accuracy issues of the show, [[showrunner]] [[Michael Hirst (writer)|Michael Hirst]] said: "I especially had to take liberties with ''Vikings'' because no one knows for sure what happened in the Dark Ages ... we want people to watch it. A historical account of the Vikings would reach hundreds, occasionally thousands, of people. Here we've got to reach millions."<ref>Gilbert, Tom (February 22, 2013) [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/arts/television/vikings-struggles-come-to-life-in-history-channels-series.html?pagewanted=all "Vikings Come Ashore in a New Light"], ''[[The New York Times]]'', retrieved April 8, 2013</ref>

==Related media==
[[Zenescope Entertainment|Zenescope]] partnered with the [[History (Canada)|History Channel]] to create a free ''Vikings'' comic book based on the series. It was first distributed at [[San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con]] 2013 and by [[comiXology]] in February 2014.<ref>{{cite web |work=[[comiXology]] |url=http://www.comixology.com/Vikings-1/digital-comic/77114 |accessdate=February 24, 2014|title=Vikings #1}}</ref><ref name="herocomplex">{{cite news| work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|title=Hero Complex: Comic-Con: 'Vikings' will land with stars, free comic, boat races|date=July 2, 2013 <!-- 6:00 a.m. --> |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/tv/comic-con-vikings-will-land-with-stars-free-comic-boat-races/#/0}}</ref> The comic was written by Michael Hirst, features interior artwork by [[Dennis Calero]] (''[[X-Men Noir]]''), and is set before the events of season one. In addition to featuring Ragnar and Rollo battling alongside their father, the comic depicts the brothers' first encounter with Lagertha.<ref name="herocomplex" />

==See also==
*[[Vikings (season 1)]]
*[[Vikings (season 2)]]
*[[Vikings (season 3)]]
*[[Vikings (season 4)]]
{{Portal bar|Canada|Ireland|Television|2010s}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group="nb"}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{portal|Television in Canada}}
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.history.ca/vikings/}}
* [http://www.history.ca/vikings History Canada ''Vikings'' website]
* {{IMDb title|2306299|Vikings}}

{{Vikings}}
{{History shows}}
[[Category:2010s Irish television series]]
[[Category:2010s Canadian drama television series]]
[[Category:2013 Canadian television series debuts]]
[[Category:Irish television shows]]
[[Category:Costume drama television series]]
[[Category:English-language television programs]]
[[Category:History (TV channel) original programs]]
[[Category:Serial drama television series]]
[[Category:Television series by MGM Television]]
[[Category:Television series by Corus Entertainment]]
[[Category:Television series set in the Middle Ages]]
[[Category:Viking Age in popular culture]]
[[Category:Works based on Gesta Danorum]]
[[Category:Works based on sagas]]
[[Category:8th century in fiction]]

Revision as of 19:26, 30 November 2017

Stop asking humbly to help the 2012 BBC Documentary series|Vikings (TV documentary series)}}

Vikings
GenreHistorical period drama
Action-adventure
Created byMichael Hirst
Written byMichael Hirst
Starring
Opening theme"If I Had a Heart"
by Fever Ray
ComposerTrevor Morris
Country of originCanada
Ireland
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes51 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Morgan O'Sullivan
  • Sheila Hockin
  • Sherry Marsh
  • Alan Gasmer
  • James Flynn
  • John Weber
  • Michael Hirst
Producers
  • Steve Wakefield
  • Keith Thompson
  • Sanne Wohlenberg
Production locationsAshford Studios
County Wicklow
Cinematography
Editors
  • Aaron Marshall
  • Michele Conroy
  • Don Cassidy
  • Tad Seaborn
  • Christopher Donaldson
Running time45 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHistory
ReleaseMarch 3, 2013 (2013-03-03) –
present (present)

Vikings is a historical drama television series written and created by Michael Hirst for the History channel. Filmed in Ireland, it premiered on March 3, 2013 in Canada.[1]

Vikings is inspired by the sagas of Viking Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the best-known legendary Norse heroes and notorious as the scourge of England and France. The show portrays Ragnar as a farmer who rises to fame by successful raids into England, and eventually becomes a Scandinavian king, with the support of his family and fellow warriors: his brother Rollo, his son Björn Ironside, and his wives—the shieldmaiden Lagertha and the princess Aslaug.

On March 17, 2016, History renewed Vikings for a fifth season of 20 episodes, which premiered on November 29, 2017. On September 12, 2017, ahead of its fifth-season premiere, the series was renewed for a sixth season, which will consist of 20 episodes.

Premise

The series is inspired by the tales of the Norsemen of early medieval Scandinavia. It follows the exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew and family, as notably laid down in the 13th-century sagas Ragnars saga Loðbrókar and Ragnarssona þáttr, as well as in Saxo Grammaticus's 12th-century work Gesta Danorum. Norse legendary sagas were partially fictional tales based on Norse oral tradition, written down about 200 to 400 years after the events they describe. Further inspiration is taken from historical sources of the period, such as records of the Viking raid on Lindisfarne depicted in the second episode, or Ahmad ibn Fadlan's 10th-century account of the Volga Vikings. The series is set at the beginning of the Viking Age, marked by the Lindisfarne raid in 793.

Cast

Main article: List of Vikings characters

Production

An Irish-Canadian co-production, Vikings was developed and produced by Octagon Films and Take 5 Productions.[1] Michael Hirst, Morgan O'Sullivan, John Weber, Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn and Sheila Hockin are credited as executive producers.[1] The first season's budget was reported as US$40 million.[5]

The series began filming in July 2012 at Ashford Studios, a newly built facility in Ireland,[6] chosen as a location for its tax advantages.[5] On August 16, 2012, longship scenes were filmed at Luggala, as well as on the Poulaphouca Reservoir in the Wicklow Mountains.[7] 70 percent of the first season was filmed outdoors.[5] Some additional background shots were done in western Norway.[8]

Johan Renck,[9] Ciarán Donnelly and Ken Girotti each directed three episodes. The production team included cinematographer John Bartley, costume designer Joan Bergin, production designer Tom Conroy, composer Trevor Morris and Irish choir Crux Vocal Ensemble, directed by Paul McGough.

On April 5, 2013, History renewed Vikings for a ten-episode second season.[10]

Two new series regulars were announced on June 11, 2013. Alexander Ludwig, portraying the teenage Björn, and Linus Roache, playing King Ecbert of Wessex.<ref>Goldberg, Lesley. 'Vikings' Enlists 'Hunger Games', 'Law & Order' Actors for Season 2, The Hollywood Reporter, June 11, 2013. A

  1. ^ a b c "VIKINGS Tops The Ratings With 8.3 Million Viewers". Irish Film Board. March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  2. ^ Turnbow, Tina (March 18, 2013). "Reflections of a Viking by Clive Standen". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  3. ^ Mitchell, John (April 25, 2013). "'Vikings' season finale: Mysterious beauty tempts Ragnar". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "History's Hit Drama Series "Vikings" Returns for Season Four on Thursday, February 18 at 10 PM ET/PT". The Futon Critic. December 17, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c Justin, Neal (March 2, 2013). "Meet the real Ragnar on History Channel's 'Vikings'". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Kelpie, Colm (August 17, 2012). "Viking hordes are back to make history". Irish Independent. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  8. ^ "FILMS SHOT IN NORWAY". Film commission Norway. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  9. ^ "Resumé: "Det är mörkt och dramatiskt"". Resume.se. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  10. ^ "Vikings Renewed". Seat42f. April 5, 2013. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
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