List of Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla characters

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 (Bjorn), Katheryn Winnick (Lagertha), Ben Robson (Kalf), Clive Standen (Rollo) and Morgane Polanski (Gisla)

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 Viking Ragnar 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 shieldmaiden Lagertha 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.

Cast table

  = Main cast (credited)

  = Recurring cast (3+)

  = Guest cast (1-2)

Character	Actor	Seasons
		1	2	3	4		5		6
					Part 1	Part 2	Part 1	Part 2	Part 1	Part 2
Ragnar Lothbrok	Travis Fimmel	Main					Does not appear
Lagertha	Katheryn Winnick	Main								Does not appear
Rollo	Clive Standen	Main					Special appearances		Does not appear	TBA
Siggy	Jessalyn Gilsig	Main			Does not appear
Floki	Gustaf Skarsgård	Main							Does not appear	TBA
Earl Haraldson	Gabriel Byrne	Main	Does not appear
Athelstan	George Blagden	Main			Recurring	Guest	Body double	Does not appear
King Horik	Donal Logue	Main		Does not appear
Aslaug	Alyssa Sutherland	Main					Does not appear
King Ecbert	Linus Roache	Does not appear	Main				Body double		Does not appear
Bjorn Ironside	Alexander Ludwig	Does not appear	Main
	Nathan O'Toole (young)	Recurring	Guest	Does not appear	Guest		Does not appear
Kalf	Ben Robson	Does not appear		Main		Does not appear
Harbard	Kevin Durand	Does not appear		Main		Does not appear
Charles	Lothaire Bluteau	Does not appear		Main		Does not appear
The Seer	John Kavanagh	Recurring			Main					TBA
Harald Finehair	Peter Franzén	Does not appear			Main					TBA
Halfdan the Black	Jasper Pääkkönen	Does not appear			Main			Does not appear
Ivar the Boneless	Alex Høgh Andersen	Does not appear	Recurring			Main
Hvitserk	Marco Ilsø	Does not appear	Recurring			Main
Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye	David Lindström	Does not appear	Recurring			Main	Body double	Does not appear
Ubbe	Jordan Patrick Smith	Does not appear	Recurring			Main
Aethelwulf	Moe Dunford	Does not appear	Recurring			Main		Does not appear
Bishop Heahmund	Jonathan Rhys Meyers	Does not appear				Main			Does not appear
Oleg the Prophet	Danila Kozlovsky	Does not appear							Main
Erik the Red	Eric Johnson	Does not appear							Main
Torvi	Georgia Hirst	Does not appear	Recurring						Main
Gunnhild	Ragga Ragnars	Does not appear						Recurring	Main
Othere	Ray Stevenson	Does not appear							Main

Cast notes

Travis Fimmel

Katheryn Winnick

Clive Standen

Jessalyn Gilsig

Gustaf Skarsgård

Gabriel Byrne

George Blagden

Donal Logue

Alexander Ludwig

Kevin Durand

Lothaire Bluteau

Peter Franzén

Jasper Pääkkönen

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Danila Kozlovsky

Eric Johnson

Ragnar Lothbrok

• Played by Travis Fimmel (seasons 1–4)

Originally a farmer, Viking Ragnar Lothbrok claims to be descended from the god Odin. 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

• 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.

Rollo

• Played by Clive Standen (seasons 1–present)

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.

Siggy

• Played by Jessalyn Gilsig (seasons 1–3)

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.

Floki

• Played by Gustaf Skarsgård (seasons 1–present)

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.

Earl Haraldson

• Played by Gabriel Byrne (season 1)

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.

Athelstan

• Played by George Blagden (seasons 1–4)

An Anglo-Saxon monk, originally serving at the monastery of Lindisfarne in Northumbria. Captured by Ragnar on his first raid, Athelstan is constantly torn between the customs of Christian England and the pagan ways of Scandinavia.

King Horik of Denmark

• Played by Donal Logue (seasons 1–2)

A powerful king in Denmark who ends up being overthrown by Ragnar. Based on the historical Horik I.

Aslaug

• Played by Alyssa Sutherland (seasons 1–4)

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.

King Ecbert of Wessex

• Played by Linus Roache (seasons 2–4)

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.

Bjorn Ironside

• Played by Nathan O'Toole (seasons 1–2, 4) and Alexander Ludwig (seasons 2–present)

Ragnar and Lagertha's son, given his epithet by his father after his first battle with the Saxons. Based on the historical Björn Ironside.

Kalf

• Played by Ben Robson (seasons 3–4)

A prominent and ambitious Hedeby villager who later betrays Lagertha and takes her earldom.

Harbard

• Played by Kevin Durand (seasons 3–4)

A charismatic wanderer and storyteller who visits Kattegat.

Emperor Charles of West Francia

• Played by Lothaire Bluteau (seasons 3–4)

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).

The Seer

• Played by John Kavanagh (seasons 1–6)

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.

King Harald Finehair

• Played by Peter Franzén (seasons 4–present)

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.

Halfdan the Black

• Played by Jasper Pääkkönen (seasons 4–5)

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.

Ivar the Boneless

• Played by an uncredited infant actor (seasons 2–3), James Quinn Markey (season 4) and Alex Høgh Andersen (seasons 4–present)

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.

Hvitserk

• Played by Cathal O'Hallin (seasons 2–3), Stephen Rockett (season 4) and Marco Ilsø (seasons 4–present)

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.

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–present)

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.

Aethelwulf

• Played by Moe Dunford (seasons 2–5)

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.

Bishop Heahmund

• Played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers (seasons 4–5)

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.

Oleg the Prophet

• Played by Danila Kozlovsky (season 6)

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.

Erik the Red

• Played by Eric Johnson (season 6)

An outlaw who helps Bjorn.

Torvi

• Played by Georgia Hirst (seasons 2–present)

Wife of Jarl Borg, then lover and wife of Bjorn and eventually lover of Ubbe.

Gunnhild

• Played by Ragga Ragnars (season 5–present)

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.

Othere

• Played by Ray Stevenson (season 6)

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

  = Recurring cast (3+)

  = Guest cast (1-2)

Character	Actor	Seasons
		1	2	3	4		5		6
					Part 1	Part 2	Part 1	Part 2	Part 1	Part 2
Svein	David Pearse	Recurring	Does not appear
Gyda	Ruby O'Leary	Recurring	Does not appear		Guest		Does not appear
Erik	Vladimir Kulich	Recurring	Does not appear
Leif	Diarmaid Murtagh	Recurring	Does not appear
Arne	Tadhg Murphy	Recurring	Guest	Does not appear
Torstein	Jefferson Hall	Recurring			Does not appear
King Aelle	Ivan Kaye	Recurring	Guest		Recurring		Does not appear
Thyri	Elinor Crawley	Recurring	Does not appear	Guest	Does not appear
Helga	Maude Hirst	Recurring					Does not appear
Elisef	Carrie Crowley	Guest	Recurring	Does not appear
Rafarta	Donna Dent	Guest	Does not appear				Recurring		Does not appear
Queen Ealhswith	Cathy White	Guest		Does not appear		Guest	Does not appear
Jarl Borg	Thorbjørn Harr	Guest	Recurring	Does not appear
Erlendur	Edvin Endre	Does not appear	Recurring			Does not appear
Earl Sigvard	Morten Suurballe	Does not appear	Recurring	Does not appear
Bishop Edmund	Philip O'Sullivan	Does not appear	Recurring			Guest	Does not appear
Thorunn	Gaia Weiss	Does not appear	Recurring		Does not appear
Judith	Jennie Jacques	Does not appear	Recurring						Does not appear
Einar	Steve Wall	Does not appear	Guest	Recurring	Guest	Does not appear
Kwenthrith	Amy Bailey	Does not appear	Guest	Recurring		Does not appear
Angrboda	Rosalie Connerty	Does not appear	Guest	Recurring	Guest	Does not appear
Burgred	Aaron Monaghan	Does not appear		Recurring	Does not appear
Earl Siegfried	Greg Orvis	Does not appear		Recurring	Does not appear
Sinric	Frankie McCafferty	Does not appear		Recurring	Guest	Does not appear	Recurring	Does not appear
Alfred	Ferdia Walsh-Peelo	Does not appear		Recurring					Does not appear	Confirmed
Odo	Owen Roe	Does not appear		Recurring		Does not appear
Gisla	Morgane Polanski	Does not appear		Recurring		Guest	Does not appear
Roland	Huw Parmenter	Does not appear		Recurring		Does not appear
Therese	Karen Hassan	Does not appear		Recurring		Does not appear
Aethelred	Darren Cahill	Does not appear		Guest	Recurring				Does not appear
Guthrum	Ben Roe	Does not appear		Guest		Recurring		Does not appear
Magnus	Dean Ridge	Does not appear		Guest	Recurring	Guest	Does not appear	Recurring	Does not appear
Yidu	Dianne Doan	Does not appear			Recurring	Does not appear
Prudentius	Seán Ó Meallaigh	Does not appear			Recurring	Does not appear
Waerferth	Des Carney	Does not appear			Recurring	Does not appear
Astrid	Josefin Asplund	Does not appear				Recurring		Does not appear
Margrethe	Ida Marie Nielsen	Does not appear				Recurring		Guest	Does not appear
Hali	Ryan Henson	Does not appear				Recurring				Does not appear
Asa	Elodie Curry	Does not appear				Recurring	Guest	Recurring		TBA
Tanaruz	Sinead Gormally	Does not appear				Recurring	Does not appear
Lord Cyneheard	Malcolm Douglas	Does not appear				Guest		Recurring	Does not appear
Lord Cuthred	Jonathan Delaney Tynan	Does not appear					Recurring	Guest	Does not appear
White Hair	Kieran O'Reilly	Does not appear					Recurring	Guest	Recurring	Does not appear
Kassia	Karima McAdams	Does not appear					Recurring	Does not appear
Kjetill Flatnose	Adam Copeland	Does not appear					Recurring			Confirmed
Eyvind	Kris Holden-Ried	Does not appear					Recurring		Does not appear
Aud	Leah McNamara	Does not appear					Recurring		Does not appear
Helgi the Lean	Jack McEvoy	Does not appear					Recurring		Does not appear
Thorunn	Mei Bignall	Does not appear					Recurring		Does not appear
Ingvild	Kelly Campbell	Does not appear					Recurring		Guest	TBA
Bul	James Craze	Does not appear					Recurring	Does not appear
Asbjorn	Elijah Rowen	Does not appear					Recurring		Does not appear
Thorgrim	Rob Malone	Does not appear					Recurring	Does not appear
Frodi	Scott Graham	Does not appear					Recurring		Guest	TBA
Jorunn	Tallulah Belle Earley	Does not appear					Recurring		Does not appear
Svase	Anthony Brophy	Does not appear					Recurring	Does not appear
Snaefrid	Dagny Backer Johnsen	Does not appear					Recurring	Does not appear
Queen Freydis	Alicia Agneson	Does not appear					Guest	Recurring	Does not appear
Princess Katia		Does not appear							Recurring	TBA
Elsewith	Róisín Murphy	Does not appear						Recurring	Does not appear	TBA
Thora	Eve Connolly	Does not appear						Recurring		Does not appear
Lady Ethelfled	Ann Skelly	Does not appear						Recurring	Does not appear
King Olaf the Stout	Steven Berkoff	Does not appear						Recurring		TBA
Amma	Kristy Dawn Dinsmore	Does not appear						Guest	Recurring	Confirmed
Ingrid	Lucy Martin	Does not appear							Recurring	Confirmed
Ganbaatar	Andrei Claude	Does not appear							Recurring	Confirmed
Prince Dir	Lenn Kudrjawizki	Does not appear							Recurring	TBA
Prince Igor	Oran Glynn O'Donovan	Does not appear							Recurring	Confirmed

Cast notes

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.

Erik

• Played by Vladimir Kulich (season 1)

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.

Leif

• Played by Diarmaid Murtagh (season 1)

One of Ragnar's warriors and son of Erik and Elisef. He offers himself as a sacrifice at Uppsala.

Arne

• Played by Tadhg Murphy (seasons 1–2)

One of Ragnar's warriors; an archer with an eye patch. He is killed in battle by Rollo.

Torstein

• Played by Jefferson Hall (seasons 1–3)

One of Ragnar's warriors and closest friends.

Elisef

• Played by Carrie Crowley (seasons 1–2)

Wife of Erik and the mother of Leif.

King Aelle of Northumbria

Ivan Kaye

• Played by Ivan Kaye (seasons 1–4)

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.

Thyri

• Played by Elinor Crawley (seasons 1 and 3)

Daughter of Earl Haraldson and Siggy. She, along with Gyda, dies in a plague.

Helga

• Played by Maude Hirst (seasons 1–4)

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 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.

Jarl Borg

• Played by Thorbjørn Harr (seasons 1–2)

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.

Prince Erlendur

• Played by Edvin Endre (seasons 2–4)

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.

Earl Sigvard

• Played by Morten Suurballe (season 2)

Lagertha's second husband and Earl of Hedeby. He is killed by Lagertha after multiple incidents of abuse.

Bishop Edmund

• Played by Philip O'Sullivan (seasons 2–4)

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.

Thorunn

• Played by Gaia Weiss (seasons 2–3)

Bjorn's love interest. She has a daughter, Siggy.

Einar

• Played by Steve Wall (seasons 2–4)

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.

Judith

• Played by Sarah Greene (season 2) and Jennie Jacques (seasons 3–5)

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)

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 (seasons 2–3) and Rosalie Connerty (season 4)

Floki and Helga's daughter.

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)

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 (season 4–present)

Son of Judith and Athelstan. Broadly based on the historical Alfred the Great.

Count Odo

• Played by Owen Roe (seasons 3–4)

In charge of defending the city from the Vikings. Based on the historical Odo of France. He is flogged to death by Roland on Emperor Charles's orders.

Princess Gisla

• Played by Morgane Polanski (seasons 3–4)

Daughter of Emperor Charles and later wedded to Duke Rollo. Based on the historical or legendary Gisela of France.

Roland

• Played by Huw Parmenter (seasons 3–4)

Count Odo's first-in-command. He has an incestuous relationship with his sister, Therese. He is assassinated with his sister by Emperor Charles's men.

Therese

• Played by Karen Hassan (seasons 3–4)

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.

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 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.

Yidu

• Played by Dianne Doan (season 4)

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 (seasons 4)

Serves at the court of King Ecbert.

Waerferth

• Played by Des Carney (season 4)

One of King Ecbert's scouts. He is stabbed to death by Kwenthrith.

Astrid

• Played by Josefin Asplund (seasons 4–5)

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 (seasons 4–5)

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 (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.

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.

White Hair

• Played by Kieran O'Reilly (seasons 5–6)

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 (season 5)

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.

Kassia

• Played by Karima McAdams (season 5)

A Byzantine abbess. Loosely inspired by the historical Kassiani.

Kjetill Flatnose

• Played by Adam Copeland (season 5–present)

A violent and bold patriarch of a large family. He is chosen by Floki for an expedition to set up a colony. Based on the legendary Ketill Flatnose.

Eyvind

• Played by Kris Holden-Ried (season 5)

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.

Aud

• Played by Leah McNamara (season 5)

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 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 (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 (season 5–present)

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 (season 5–present)

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 is killed in battle. Loosely based on the legendary Snæfrith, a lover 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.

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.

Lady Ethelfled

• Played by Ann Skelly (season 5)

Lord Cuthred's daughter and Prince Aethelred's wife.

King Olaf the Stout

• Played by Steven Berkoff (season 5–present)

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 (season 5–present)

A shieldmaiden in Harald's army. After the re-conquest of Kattegat by Bjorn she is made Hvitserk's caretaker.

Ingrid

• Played by Lucy Martin (season 6)

A slave serving Gunnhild and Bjorn in Kattegat.

Ganbaatar

• Played by Andrei Claude (season 6)

Oleg's captain.

Prince Dir

• Played by Lenn Kudrjawizki (season 6)

Oleg's brother.

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 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 (season 6)

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 (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 (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-to-be
• Angus MacInnes as Tostig, an old Viking warrior

Season 2

• Morgan C. Jones as The Law Giver, the lawspeaker of Kattegat
• Duncan Lacroix as Ealdorman Werferth of Wessex, serving King Ecbert
• Richard Ashton as Thorvard, a Viking warrior loyal to King Horik

Season 3

• Mark Huberman as Louis, a soldier in Paris

Season 4

• Niall Cusack as Abbot Lupus, Rollo's teacher in Paris
• Charles Last as William, first son of Rollo and Gisla
• Charlie Kelly as Egil, an agent of King Harald
• Caitlin Scott as Princess Blaeja, Judith's sister
• Jack Nolan as Earl Jorgensen, a Swedish warlord, sacrificed to the gods by Lagertha to secure the victory against the Saxons.
• Sophie Vavasseur as Princess Ellisif, the former betrothed of King Harald
• Gary Buckley as Earl Vik, Princess Ellisif's husband
• Uncredited child actor as Marcellus, second son of Rollo and Gisla
• Uncredited child actress as Celsa, daughter of Rollo and Gisla

Season 5

• Keith McErlean as Lord Denewulf, a nobleman in service of Bishop Heahmund
• Albano Jerónimo as Euphemius, a Byzantine commander, based on the historical Euphemius of Sicily
• Paul Reid as Mannel, Queen Judith's cousin
• Khaled Abol Naga as Ziyadat Allah, an Arab ruler. Based on the historical Ziyadat Allah I of Ifriqiya
• Damien Devaney as Wilfred, a nobleman and Princess Elsewith's steward
• Tomi May as Jarl Olavosonn, Ivar's commander in York
• Erik Madsen as King Hemming
• Markjan Winnick as King Angantyr
• Gavan Ó Connor Duffy as King Frodo

Season 6

• Serena Kennedy as Anna, Dir's wife
• Gina Costigan as Runa, a former shield-maiden at Lagertha's village
• David Sterne as Gudmund, an old man at Lagertha's village
• Kathy Monahan as Eira, a former shield-maiden at Lagertha's village
• Per Fredrik Åsly as an envoy from Ubbe's trade expedition
• Oisin Murray as Tarben, a young boy at Lagertha's village
• Aoibheann McCann as Skadi, a shield-maiden under Gunnhild's command
• Fredrik Hiller as Jarl Thorkell the Tall, one the jarls of Norway and a rival to Bjorn
• Amy De Bruhn as Jarl Hrolf, one the jarls of Norway
• Mishaël Lopes Cardozo as King Hakon, one of the kings of Norway and a rival to Bjorn

Guest characters

The following is a list of named characters who appeared in just one episode of the series.

Season 1

• Gerard McCarthy as Brondsted
• Billy Gibson as Ulf
• David Wilmot as Olaf Andwend
• Conor Madden as Eric Trygvasson, a Viking who is prosecuted in Kattegat by Earl Haraldson
• Cian Quinn as Olaf, son of Ingolf
• Craig Whittaker as Hakon
• Des Braiden as Father Cuthbert, in charge of the monastery of Lindisfarne
• Sebastiaan Vermeul Taback as Osiric
• David Murray as Lord Aethelwulf, the brother of King Aelle
• Sean Treacy as Prince Egbert, King Aelle and Queen Ealhswith's son
• James Flynn as Eadric
• David Michael Scott as Nils

Season 2

• Anna Åström as Hild, a servant in Kattegat
• Jay Duffy as Ari, King Horik's second son
• Alan Devine as Ealdorman Eadric of Wessex, serving King Ecbert
• Edmund Kente as Bishop Swithern of Winchester. Based on the historical Swithun.
• Jens Christian Bushov Lund as Olrik
• Elizabeth Moynihan as Queen Gunnhild of Denmark, King Horik's wife

Season 3

• Ian Beattie as King Brihtwulf of Mercia, Kwenthrith and Burgred's uncle. Based on the historical Beorhtwulf of Mercia.
• James Murphy as Ansgar, a monk trying to convert Vikings in Kattegat. Based on the historical Ansgar.

Season 4

• Cillian O'Sullivan as Eirik, a Viking warrior in Paris, former second in command of Rollo. He is betrayed by him and killed by Franks.
• Robban Follin as Berserker, an assassin recruited by Erlendur and Kalf
• Declan Conlon as Lord Wigstan, a relative of Kwenthrith and head of the Royal Family of Mercia. Based on the semi-historical Wigstan.
• John Kavanagh as Pope Leo IV
• Adam McNamara as Thorhall, a Danish Viking
• Liam Clarke as Gudmund
• Ed Murphy as Gardar
• Jack Walsh as Scotus, loosely based on the historical John Scotus Eriugena
• Josh Donaldson as Hoskuld, a Viking warrior of great skill
• Tamaryn Payne as Widow Ordlaf, a lady of Sherborne

Season 5

• India Mullen as Aethegyth, a noblewoman from Wessex
• Frank Prendergast as Bishop Cynebert of York
• Laurence O'Fuarain as Hakon, a whale hunter of Vestfold
• Bosco Hogan as the Lord Abbot of Lindisfarne
• Mabel Hurley as young Lagertha, appearing in a flashback
• Ross Matthew Anderson as Lagertha's father, appearing in a flashback
• Jamie Maclachlan as Aldwin
• Uncredited infant actor as Baldur, Ivar and Freydis's son.

Season 6

• Blake Kubena as Prince Askold of Novgorod, Oleg's brother
• Sandy Kennedy as Sylvi, a former shield-maiden at Lagertha's village
• Neil Keery as Alexei, a guard in Kiev
• Anna Maria Jopek as a singer
• Jinny Lofthouse as Hild, a shield-maiden under Gunnhild's command
• Emma Willis as Gyda, a shield maiden that volunteers as a sacrifice
• Karen Connell as the Angel of Death, a völva
• Adam Winnick as Rangvald, Harald's captain
• Emma Eliza Regan as Aoife
• Ronan Summers as Herigar

Family trees

Continuous lines signify a lineal descent and/or consanguinity, dashed lines signify a marriage, and dotted lines signify a sexual relationship.

Earl Haraldson, King Ragnar, King Horik, Emperor Charles, and King Harald's family tree

Haraldson ✝

Siggy ✝

Horik ✝

Gunnhild ✝

? ✝

? ✝

Thyri ✝

Bjarni ✝

Erlendur ✝

Ari ✝

Charles

Kalf ✝

Astrid ✝

Harald

Halfdan ✝

Gisla

Rollo

Lagertha ✝

Ragnar ✝

Aslaug ✝

Harbard

Ingrid

Svase ✝

Gyda ✝

Þórunn

Bjorn

Torvi

Borg ✝

Snaefrid ✝

Hali ✝

Asa

Guthrum ✝

Siggy ✝

Gunnhild

William

Marcellus

Celsa

Margrethe ✝

Ubbe

Hvitserk

Sigurd ✝

Thora ✝

Ivar

Freydis ✝

Ragnar

Baldur ✝

King Ecbert and King Aelle's family tree

Ecbert ✝

Ealhswith

Aelle ✝

Aethelwulf ✝

Aethelwulf ✝

Judith ✝

Athelstan ✝

Blaeja

Egbert

Mannel ✝

Aethelred ✝

Alfred

Elsewith

Queen Kwenthrith's family tree

Offa ✝

Brihtwulf ✝

Wigstan

Kenelm ✝

Burgred ✝

Kwenthrith ✝

Ragnar ✝

Magnus ✝

Floki's family tree

Floki

Helga ✝

Angrboda ✝

Kjetill and Eyvind's family tree

Eric Trygvasson ✝

Kjetill

Ingvild

Eyvind ✝

Rafarta ✝

Frodi

Thorgrim ✝

Aud ✝

Thorunn ✝

Helgi ✝

Bul ✝

Asbjorn ✝

Jorunn ✝