Ragnar is gone, but the Vikings remain. Welcome to Season 5! If Alex Høgh Andersen can be believed, its going to be a great one. If you haven't checked out our interview with Alex, you can find it here. Let's get started.

Bjorn and his brothers put Sigurd to rest. His death will impact this entire season. The brothers still look a little shell shocked that their own brother Ivar was the one who killed him. The entire village looks at Ivar with distaste, and he manages a single tear for Sigurd.

Ivar meets with his brothers and leaders of the army. He claims that he didn't mean to kill Sigurd, but he taunted him until he had no choice but to kill him. He spoke lies, claiming that Ivar wasn't a real man. Ivar never meant to kill his brother, but he didn't have a choice and he is sorry. He crawls from his brothers. Bjorn warns the others that they cannot leave Ivar in charge of the large army. He plans to pursue his own destiny with Halfdan. They ask if he plans to go to Kattegat, but he has no time. Lagetha will be advised of the situation, Bjorn will return to Kattegat only when he has finished his journey if the gods permit it.

In England, Bishop Heahmund along with his men find the remains of King Ecbert's kingdom. Heahumund orders that they search out Ecbert's body.

Bjorn prepares to set sail. Harald asks Halfdan is sure he wishes to leave. They've always shared a vision. Halfdan corrects him. He doesn't wish to be the King's brother, he wishes to travel the world. His brother will miss him, but no matter where he goes, Halfdan promises to cover his back. Harald watches as his brother leaves with Bjorn.

Heahmund walks through the wrecked city. It is utterly destroyed. The king's bod is finally located in a vat of water. Heahmund plans to clean and restore the city, and bring back the people.

Ivar seeks out Floki. Floki is building a one man boat, and let the Gods lead him. Ivar doesn't want him to go, his brothers are too soft to help against the Christians. Ivar tells him that his brother's don't believe he didn't mean to kill Sigurd, and without Floki he will be lonely. Floki feels for him, but with Helga gone, there is nothing left for him. Ivar knows his heart is broken, but Floki knows it will repare. He holds Ivar as he cries, assuring him that he does not need him.

Bjorn takes joy in their leaving, as the remaining army watches.

Heahmund performs a funeral for Ecbert, praying for their king. The single remaining monk returns, and tells Heahmund what little he knows. He was the scribe of the church, and he witnessed the treaty between the Vikings and Ecbert. Heahmund wishes that Ecbert hadn't given away any of their lands even when his life was on the line, but the scribe tells Heahmund that he didn't, that he couldn't as they weren't his to give. Before Ecbert sent his family away, he renounced his crown, and gave it to his son prince Aethelwulf. Aethelwulf is king, and the grant of land is worthless.

King Aethelwulf paddles in a boat. They arrive at a small village. Judith is tending to Alfred with leeches. He looks awful, and she's not sure if he is dying. Aethelwulf believes that they are being punished for their vanity. He believes that there is no other way to understand what is happening to them. She doesn't believe that Alfred should have to die for their sins, for her sins. Aethelwulf prays that God is shows them mercy once more and ends the misery of all of those around them.

Floki continues his plans to leave. He doesn't want to be stopped, he just wants to leave. He has no plan for his destination, but he will keep the sons of Ragnar in his heart. The brothers each say their goodbyes. Ubbe and Hvitserk have nothing but good words, Ivar lovingly calls him a coward, and Floki tells him to stand up and say it to his face. Floki sets out, but Ivar has given him the means to guide himself, he doesn't want him to be lost. In a hail of chants, Floki rows out to his destiny.

Heahmund prays to Ecbert that he will help them defeat the Vikings, that all the Pagans will be destroyed. The people return as his prayer comes to a conclusion. Heahmund tells the people to be unafraid, Christ is here. The people are thankful.

Ubbe thinks that they should settle the lands that they got in the treaty. Ivar thinks that they shouldn't dissolve their army, that they should make a strong hold in the North, and make a fortress in York. They can have an Empire there. Its a tactical move. The lands are in the center of the country, and it makes them vulnerable, York gives them power and freedom. Hvitserk agrees with Ivar's thinking, much to Ubbe's dismay.

Floki finds Ivar's gift, and throws it into the sea. Floki intends to keep to his plan and leave himself at the mercy of the Gods.

Heahmund is asked to the church, there is a lady waiting for him. Aethelkith prays for everyone. Heahmund asks if she will take mass at his hands, and she is honored. The act is sensual at his hands. Heahmund walks through the thorns and asks to be cleanse of his sins.

The brothers look at York, seeing it ripe for the picking. Ivar wants to attack now, but Ubbe suggesting waiting. Their father told them that Saint days were the best time to attack, everyone would either be at Church or drunk. They set out to find the perfect day. The brother grab a pair of children. Ivar crawls to their captives, telling them that if they tell him the truth no harm will come to them, he wants to know the next Saint day. In three days it will be Ascension Day.

Ubbe slips into the walls of York, and let the others in. The Vikings take the city with little effort. Just as Ragnar had told them, most were in the church, and its a slaughter. Ubbe looks on in horror as all the defenseless people are killed. He holds a nun as she dies of her own afflicted wounds. Ivar taunts the Bishop, stealing one's crucifix. The church is filled with the dead, as a lone child cries. Ivar kills the Bishop, but making him ingested a melted down cross. He calls for his horse, and sends the animal out dragging the body.

Ivar celebrates their victory. Ubbe slips further away from Ivar's cruelty.

Guthrum trains with Torvi, and he's come along way. His father was a powerful man, and he would make him proud, Torvi tells him. The horns sound, ships are near, she rushes to warn Lagetha who their visitor is. Harald has arrived in Kattegat. He and his men head straight to Lagetha, but they aren't exactly welcomed. She allows his approach. He tells her that the Great Army succeeded. The Kings are dead, and they have been given granted lands. Lagetha asks after her son. He isn't dead, only busy. Sigurd is dead by Ivar's hand, but Bjorn has headed to the Mediterranean. Lagetha wonders why Harald has come. He claims he only came because Bjorn was busy. Lagetha calls out his failed assassination attempt. Harald never believed he was a wise man, but he hands over his sword to Lagetha, happy to die if thats her wish. He tells her to strike, taunts her to.

Floki sits in the middle of the ocean, searching for direction.

Heahmund takes out his anger on an animal carcass, when he's told of the Vikings recently sacking in York and desecrating of the Bishop.

Lagetha asks a bound Harald why she should keep him after this confession. She has a reason, but he claims there is none. He did all he did for a woman, he wanted to be worthy of her, he tried to take her kingdom because of that. Lagetha asks what has changed. The woman lied. She didn't wait for him, and married another, so he killed her. He doesn't desire her kingdom any longer, and offers her an alliance. She points out he is in no position. Harald points out that he is still a king, and her son may be away for a long time. She may not be able to trust the other sons of Ragnar. Lagetha has her way with the bound Harald, riding away her frustrations, with him helpless to do anything.

Men block Ubbe and Hvitserk from seeing their brother. They tell Ubbe that they will ask if Ivar will see them, but Ubbe warns them that they will loose their tongues if they stand in their way. Ubbe wants to know why Ivar has a bodyguard. He claims he needs one, because he's crippled. Its more than that, Ubbe isn't happy with the way Ivar is running things. He doesn't consult his brothers about his plans, acting as the long leader of the Army. Ivar wants to be their equal, but he has to do better. They accept him as he is, but Ivar doesn't believe them. Ubbe tells Ivar that there is a large Saxon force on their way, but Ivar wasn't aware, too wrapped up in himself. His tattoo continues as his brothers leave.

The women await to see why Harald acted against them. Lagetha tells them that he was in love and now he's not. He wants to offer them an alliance and marriage. Astrid doesn't think that Lagetha should consider the offer. Torvi thinks that she should consider it. Astrid oversteps when she tells Lagetha that she cannot set him free, and Lagetha makes it clear she will make her own decisions. Astrid walks out, and is quickly grabbed by a trio of men, and kidnapped. Harald is already free, and he has Astrid on his ship. They boat leaves with no fanfare. The horn sounds, and Lagetha is informed that Harald is gone. Lagetha sees that Astrid is gone too. On the ship, Astrid asks why kidnap her. Harald still intends to become King of all of Norway. He needs a Queen, someone to breed with. Astrid laughs at his offer. Lagetha has been good to her. Harald offers her power, and excitement.

Heahmund and his men have arrived at York. The Vikings have been busy fortifying the city. The town is well defended and they may not be strong enough yet to attack. Heahmund wishes that Aethelwulf was in the field with them. His presence could inspire. But Aethelwulf is busy in his hovel with Judith. She asks what they should do about Alfred, and he wonders why its always about Alfred. Judith admits that the boy is dying. Aethelwulf notices that Alfred is gone. He wades in the water towards a hooded figure. He reaches for it, and falls into the water as Judith and Aethelwulf watch. Judith screams for him to be saved as Aethelwulf runs to him, and pulls him from the water. Alfred tells them that they must go to York, that his father told him.

Floki remains miserable in the sea. He thinks he has been abandoned. He releases the Raven, and tells the bird to not come back.

Aethelwulf and his people head to York.

Torvi asks Lagetha why Harald kidnapped Astrid. Lagetha knows that Harald didn't abandon his dream. He still wishes to be king, and he will come to their shores eventually with men. Torvi doesn't think that Astrid will side with Harald, but Lagetha isn't so sure.

Harald asks Astrid what she's decided. She still hasn't said no, but she isn't ready yet. Harald still thinks she will side with him.

Aethelwulf's men have arrived, and Heahmund's forces are happy to see them. Aethelwulf and Heahmund finally come face to face. He introduces the Bishop to his wife, and they are brought into camp. He notes Judith's bravery, but she claims she had nothing better to do at home, and deserves vengeance as well. Around the table. Heahmund makes small talk before getting down to business. The Vikings have been fortifying York. But there is good news, they haven't fortified the Roman walls. Heahmund thinks that they should give the army time to mesh and grow, and ensure that the wall sections truly remain unguarded.

In the middle of a storm, Floki sings, and when the storm has ended. Floki finds himself on land. He has reached a beach covered in dark rocky sand. He finds a puddle of clean water and greedily slurps it down. The raven caws nearby. He finds a cave and builds a fire to warm himself. In the morning he goes to explore this new land and to search for food. He climbs high up a cliff, and falls asleep. When he awakens he looks over the land, and thanks Njord for the sights.

Torvi watches Guthrum train. Margrethe asks her what she thinks of Lagetha's mistake, she thinks that Lagetha put them in danger, and that her control may be a solid as they thought.

Floki continues to walk the land, falls on the rock covered stones. Later he finds a waterfall and he heads straight for it. The water looks as if it is rising, rather than falling. He believes himself to be in Asgard.

Ubbe and Hvitserk find Ivar testing out some equipment. He has some fancy leg braces, which allow him to walk for the first time ever. On his feet, Ivar is filled with more confidence then ever. He's no longer held back by his handicap, and there will really be no stopping him now.

Tonight's code word is Valhalla. You can find details for our Vikings Drinking Horn here.

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HISTORY® ORDERS 20 EPISODE SIXTH SEASON OF HIT DRAMA SERIES ‘VIKINGS’

KATHERYN WINNICK TO MAKE DIRECTORIAL DEBUT

Two-Hour Season Five Premiere Airs Wednesday, November 29 at 9PM ET/PT

New York, NY – September 12, 2017 – HISTORY has ordered a 20 episode sixth season of the hit drama series “Vikings,” it was announced today by Eli Lehrer, Executive Vice President of Programming, HISTORY. Additionally, series regular Katheryn Winnick is set to helm one episode in season six, marking her directorial debut. Production for season six is slated to begin this fall in Ireland.

The previously ordered 20 episode fifth season will air in two parts, beginning with a two-hour premiere on Wednesday, November 29 at 9PM ET/PT followed by eight episodes airing every Wednesday at 9PM ET/PT. The remaining ten episodes of season five are slated to air in 2018.

Across all platforms, the last season of “Vikings” averaged 7.8 million viewers per episode. “Vikings” is a top five drama across ad supported cable and averaged 4.1 million total viewers last season in Live+7 delivery. Additionally, the series reached 34.3 million total viewers in linear Live+7.

“‘Vikings’ has creatively sailed to monumental lengths. The series has evolved from early raids in England, to the heart-stopping death of Ragnar Lothbrok, to the fierce battles of the Great Heathen Army, and now we’ll see the sons of Ragnar exploring and conquering the known world,” said Lehrer. “Michael Hirst has only scratched the surface of his epic saga. We look forward to continuing our partnership with one of the greatest writers in this era of Peak TV and entertaining our viewers with 40 new episodes over the next two seasons.”

“It has been my pleasure and my privilege to work with HISTORY and our partner MGM over five seasons and 69 episodes of ‘Vikings.’ Now we are ready to begin production of a 20 episode season six that will deliver a huge and unexpected revelation to our audience,” said Michael Hirst, creator and executive producer.  “There are many reasons why I love this show, not least for the commitment and creativity of everyone involved in making it, but perhaps even more important is the spirit that drives this production - one of the happiest, most collaborative and most authentic productions I have ever been involved with. And so we sail on.”

“Vikings” is the critically acclaimed series from creator and sole writer Michael Hirst(Academy Award® winning film Elizabeth and the Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated series “The Tudors”) and is a family saga that tells the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of the raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages. Season five cast includes series regulars Jonathan Rhys Meyers (“The Tudors”), who joined this season, as “Bishop Heahmund” along with Katheryn Winnick (“Lagertha”), Gustaf Skarsgård (“Floki”), Alexander Ludwig (“Bjorn”), Alex Høgh Andersen (“Ivar the Boneless”), Jordan Smith (“Ubbe”) and Marco Ilso (“Hvitserk”).

Winnick’s role as Lagertha has garnered her a “Best Supporting Actress” nomination at the 2015 Critic’s Choice Television Awards and a “Best Performance by a Lead Dramatic Actress" nomination at the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards. Winnick most recently appeared in the adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower opposite Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey. Next up she will star opposite John Travolta in the upcoming film Cigarette. Her other credits include Love & Other Drugs and 50 First Dates. Winnick is repped by CAA, Alchemy Entertainment, and attorney Jeff Bernstein of Jackoway, Tyerman, Wertheimer, Austen, Mandelbaum, Morris, & Klein.

Hirst serves as executive producer along with Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo; “The Tudors”), Sheila Hockin (“The Tudors,” “The Borgias”), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (“The Tudors,” “The Borgias”), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, and James Flynn (“The Tudors,” “The Borgias”). Arturo Interian serves as the executive in charge of production for HISTORY.

“Vikings” is an iternational Irish/Canadian co-production by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. MGM Television serves as the worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada. “Vikings” is produced in association with Corus Entertainment.

About HISTORY®

HISTORY®, now reaching more than 96 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network’s all-original programming slate features a roster of signature series including Pawn Stars, American Pickers, The Curse of Oak Island, Alone as well as the hit drama series Vikingsand SIX.  The HISTORY website is located at history.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/history and Facebook at facebook.com/history.

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Since Vikings debut, Lagertha has been a fan favorite. Katheryn Winnick, as Lagertha has shown the many sides of her character, but with each emotion, each situation she's put into there is a strength and fierceness to her even in her most vulnerable times. The first half of the season has been a bloody one, with our fierce Shieldmaiden barely surviving, and if the second half of the season is half as good, then there's still plenty of action, and heartbreak to come. Katheryn Winnick took time out of her busy schedule for a conference call to answer a few of our most burning questions.

At this point in her life what do you think is actually her strongest motivation for everything that’s going on? What is driving her forward as we catch up with her at the start of this second half?

Lagertha has always had a lot of different challenges. Throughout this season it’s been evident for her at this stage. Going into four, it's really seeing how Kattegat is run and being extremely disappointed that’s it's not ruled by the right ruler. With King Ragnar not necessarily being there and present as a king should be, and with Queen Aslaug running the show and not necessarily running it the proper way or the strongest way as a ruler to help the people. And I think for her, her dream was obviously to expand two different territories and also make Kattegat one of the largest trading centers. It's her dream and she saw the potential of it.

So I think for her it's a personal motivation but her heart is in the right place in wanting to do good for her Viking people.

In the first episode, we meet Ecbert and then we also see you talk to Ragnar very pointedly about your regret and their regret and disappointments and I was wondering if you could talk about the emotional aspect. You know, you posture Lagertha as very strong but it’s the emotional aspect where you show weakness in the first episode, you show, there are tears in your eyes and if you could talk about that scene with Travis and about just the whole arc that we have to look forward to with their relationship?

It was certainly a very intense scene just because I, as Katheryn, hadn’t worked with Travis in a long time before that, just because our story lines were very seTara te, so it's great to get reunited again and be face to face and working together and of course you really don’t fully know how it's going to be until you shoot it, especially when you have such a gifted actor like Travis and you yourself could be as prepared as you can be, but at the end of the day when you are there and in the moment, emotions arise and it is what it is.

Now you mentioned weakness, I don’t necessarily see it as a weakness, I see it as a vulnerability but I think that there is strength in vulnerability and especially with Lagertha and the fact that here is somebody that she shared her childhood with, her formidable years with together. They have been through so much, they had made children together and to see him now after so many years, especially after the time jump and still have love for him but she realizes she is in a different place, but yet they will always be together if not in this world, maybe in Valhalla in the future.

So that scene was a very passionate scene in the sense that there was so much more outside that the words could not express — everything is really between the lines and they shared a beautiful kiss together and I thought that was really sweet. It's one of those things that we added in. And one of my favorite moments is also when Lagertha is outside with her new love, Josefin Asplund plays her and she sees him right away and she is just overwhelmed and realizing maybe this might be the last time she may see him, or for a long time, she is definitely in a very different place and that’s evident in just that scene alone.

It seemed from the previews that there is going to finally be a reckoning between Lagertha and Aslaug. Can you talk a little bit about that and whether or not we are finally going to get a sense of satisfaction that Lagertha has kind of taken care of business there?

Yes, there is definitely a big epic scene where Lagertha and Aslaug come face to face and I will say it's pretty epic, it's juicy and it's memorable. I wish I could actually give away more but it was a great scene to shoot. Lagertha felt that she needed to take and find Kattegat and really try to get control back. Kattegat is being run so badly and it's been a lot of problems with Kattegat like people have been dying, things are not being run in a proper way as it should be, and she feels that she is doing the right thing by reclaiming it, because nobody would rule it better than she does because she truly cares about her people.

And so we had this great scene with Alyssa Sutherland who plays Aslaug and she is fantastic in it, and it was great to finally get face to face with her and Aslaug and Lagertha together.

I'm looking forward to that! Now, I wanted to talk a little bit about The Seer and your perspective on that character and more specifically, has he always been cool as a cucumber and now he is screaming, which we were kind of wondering what that means. Is something truly horrible coming? Can you elaborate on that?

The Seer is the Seer. You never know necessarily what's going to come out of his mouth but he’s kind of the modern day psychic I guess. Everyone goes to him to see the future and also for therapy and it's interesting to see him in a different light and in a different animated state and especially with Lagertha, I feel that she does have a scene with him -- a really strong scene -- where she goes to him and he gives her some devastating news that literally changes her for not only the rest of the season but the rest of her life and it's a really big scene. And it's really a big moment for him answering a certain question and I think that what he actually answered I don’t think will be expected. In every choice that I make as an actress it is in the back of my mind. I think it’s something the audience wouldn’t necessarily expect.

Okay.

Yes you will see.

Can you talk about the relationship with Astrid and how it came about? I know she is not just suddenly allowed to be in, plus could you talk about sort of what's going on there?

Sure of course. There is a big time jump in season four, in which you saw Lagertha is in a different place than she is now and had to be, and she developed this relationship with Astrid, who Josefin Asplund plays, and it's a relationship that she — Lagertha has been betrayed by so many men throughout her life obviously Ragnar by cheating on her and asking her to be a second wife and then her second husband was abusive, and then Kalf who she groomed tried to use her up, and she had to kill him on her wedding day. So her relationship with men, I'm not sure it will change, I'm not sure she will ever trust a man again.

So it did make sense that she would find comfort in another human being and that that human being happened to be a women and I don’t feel that Lagertha necessarily is a lesbian. I wouldn’t necessarily see that and I never really played it that way, but she did find a love with her that other men have never been able to give her.

Also their relationship has been for over six, seven years and considerably she is very different and brings a breath of fresh air to Lagertha’s life and Josefin has a lot of humor and width and that’s evident in her character and especially her sense of style and her sense of the way she deals with Lagertha is unique and that was really a lot of fun to play. So I think you’re going to like that relationship and I think Lagertha definitely grooms her to be the warrior that she is and it was nice just to see that it's not necessarily ‘oh here are two women that are in bed together’ but there is a strong bond that is not necessarily the sexual part of a relationship but more of an emotional bond that is evident and really beautiful to see.

We’ve seen Lagertha almost marry Calf and then kill him and is there some other end game involved with Astrid? Is she using her for something else?

No, I don’t think there is any end game. I think that she sees her as someone that is very comforting, but at this stage Lagertha truly feels alone, I feel, because of all the betrayal that she had. Even though she has Astrid, I'm not sure how emotionally close she is going to let anybody into her life and with Astrid there is no other motive other than caring for her. And she sees in Lagertha herself through her own journey and really trying to find her own path and own purpose in life at this stage is the theory and that’s why she ends up going back to Kattegat and approaches Aslaug.

How Lagertha feels about Bjorn abandoning his responsibilities to his daughter?

Great question. I feel that Lagertha is a warrior and she understands that Bjorn has ambitions passed necessarily just being a father and especially in those times it is not uncommon for the warriors to go out to explore different lands and to really raid entourage. So is it comfortable for her to necessarily leave her granddaughter to Aslag? No, not necessarily. I don’t think that that’s the ideal situation. But, she does understand that Bjorn is Bjorn and she really wants the best for him and in life he ends up being a very famous powerful warrior and he needs to do what he needs to do.

So I do feel that it's different from how we may look at it now in our society that he’s not necessarily a great father, but in those days it's making a name yourself and teaching your children to be good warriors and to be able to find their own path is what really drove them and definitely is what drives Lagertha.

Obviously there is some great emotional stuff coming up with Lagertha, but people really enjoy your fight sequences in battles. You are very talented and have a good background in that. Is there anything coming up in these next stretch of episodes that was particularly fun or interesting for you to do as far as action and fights and stuff like that?

You have to understand we are shooting right now, so we are so far beyond what you are about to see, I'm trying to refresh my memory. Yes, there is a very big battle coming up in four and it's one that’s going to be in the course of double episodes and it is in the history books and it is something that you wouldn’t expect and it is definitely epic. It's powerful. It's a battle and you will see deaths, unexpected deaths. You will see challenges within the fight. You will see personal relationships getting tested when they confront their enemies on the battlefield.

And of course as an actor, for those scenes you try to be prepared as much as you can by knowing your fight choreography. Shooting in those elements of rain in Ireland, on a slop with mud, with horses, with axes, with blood, you kind of have to expect the unexpected and sometimes you find the real magic in those moments when you slip and fall and you pick up someone else’s axe because yours is gone, and everything is done a bit more sporadically. Or, you may realize that you think you feel like action. When you see those battle sequences, it's an opportunity to tell the story in a different way, and it's also a way of sharing the story in the battles through the action element. And if it's done well, which our crew is incredible in shooting those scenes and our stunt guys are incredibly talented and amazing to be able to fight against, they really give it their all and you can feel the heart going into it and understand how special this set really this because it's those moments that fill in the reality of us being Viking warriors.

And you can't walk away from our set without getting banged up and you can't walk away without being black and blue and full of cuts, it's just part of the job and this job is not for everyone. This job is not for the divas or for the actresses that are going to be in the trailer, this is a really brutal gorilla shoot in a lot of ways and you need a thick skin and you need to just go for it and I think that’s what makes this job so special and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I think that’s what makes me love being a Viking. It's because it's raw and it's real.

And some of those cuts that you see on camera are actually real blood, I’ll tell that for sure.

Can you talk about the Arc of the show this season? I'm sure your character's ambition and a lot of the characters have really been changed in the faiths of their ambitions and the faiths of the things that they are based off of. What's happened in the show and like mentioned earlier Lagertha as the soul of the show and I was wondering how have Lagertha kept her moral center in the phase of the upheaval in a way that a lot of the other characters have not?

I think that it's the fact that she is constantly getting challenged in her moral compass and her moral ethics are always getting challenged and I think it is what keeps her honest and it keeps her who she is as Lagertha. She is formidable, she is strong, but she is also a woman. She is allowed to be vulnerable, she is allowed to be feminist. She is allowed not to have her (shit) together at times and that’s what makes this character so real and fantastic. It's not just the strengths of her character as a warrior but her strength, her personality, and her strong sense of will is what I think a lot of people identify with.

And especially with Lagertha now going to season four, I think she is really on one hand, an everyday woman and I reclaimed it in a campaign for women and film. I designed a t-shirt that I'm actually going to launch again just to raise money for women in film, but the t-shirt consists of those three words and it was in big bold print and it's wake up, kick ass, repeat and thoughts on that was really empowering and it's kind of sums up my life and it sums up the life of many different women which is really wake up, kick ass, repeat. Now this can mean many things. It can mean kicking ass means being an amazing mother or kicking ass means going to work and trying to put your kids to bed and having three jobs, or if it's a mother running to then be seen being a CEO of a company there is different ways and a lot of women can kick ass in everyday life.

Which brings me to my point of Lagertha. I think there is a lot of women who identify with her as a strong person and not necessarily just someone in the Viking era in that time period. But I feel that she is really the modern women that everyone can relate to.

And do you think, there was an episode this past season that showed Ragnar looking with fully back in the time and when you are all family, and do you think that it was his, it was into detach himself from his commitment to his family that is a difference between how both of those characters responded to events?

What's interesting about Ragnar’s character, and this is why Michael Hirst is such a great writer, is that easy as he is our hero of the show, in a sense he is the elite type in one hand, but in the other he is more of the antihero in the sense that he is not necessarily all put together and he has flaws. That fits in the matter of him taking mushrooms with his slave or if he not wanting to be king and him not necessarily being a good father or a good ruler. I think that’s what really makes it very interesting.

So that scene that we reshot, we remember going back and putting on the clothes from the previous seasons and we ended up having to recast my daughter, because since then, she became this gorgeous teenager, so we needed someone that was all same height and she was in the back, but that scene was really beautiful because even though he may not necessarily be able to be the man or go back in time to be the Ragnar, the husband that he wants to be in his mind, in his thoughts, in his dreams, he has a beautiful thinking that he cherishes that moment, and I know Lagertha does too, and Ragnar was her true love, and probably will always be.

How much do you delve into what's written in the history books, in terms of immersing yourself in the character as opposed to kind of just trusting what Michael has in store for you do you? Have you two worked on kind of shaping and sculpting Lagertha or how has that process kind of evolved over the four seasons?

Well, I'm very much involved in Lagertha in terms of helping to make her who she is with obviously Michael’s collaboration. I think it started off not necessarily being as strong of a wall as it is now and definitely wasn’t this prominent, or there being plans of being this prominent. So it's a blessing that I'm still here today and absolutely love my job. I pinch myself when I wake up and get the chance to go to work and to go to set.

But Michael is very hands-on in the sense that whenever we get the new scripts every few weeks, we sit and talk about what's coming for Lagertha and where do I see her and where we can challenge her and what we could do that’s unexpected. And that relationship is something that I hold very dear to my heart because when you yourself are invested as an actor in terms of making your character great you are more invested in performing well and you feel very much a part of the entire process and very much a part of your character, and I feel that way with Lagertha.

We do have the luxury in the fact that Michael writes every episode. Since 99.9% of all TV shows is written by a team, a staff of writers and it's really rare to have one sole writer write every episode, especially now doing 20 episodes is a huge challenge. We started off doing 10 episodes per year giving everybody a break but now when we shoot the show, we pre shot some five months for the first two years, then we went into 10 months so even though you are seeing it now, months and months later we’ve to shot it consecutively.

So I guess you are in the rhythm of it which is helpful, but it's also keeping up the stamina and trying to find some fresh ideas and trying to make your character different and find different ways of challenging yourself is always interesting and it's also great too because it peels away the layers like an onion with your character. You find different ways of expressing yourself in different ways of understanding Lagertha and where she is opposing or where she comes from, or where she can go, that could be than so it’s always incredible to see what Michael comes up with.

So in the long winded answer to answer your question is yes. Michael is very much involved and I'm very much involved, too in making Lagertha who she is.

Last question doesn’t have to do with Vikings, but another one of your projects. Coming from a horror background, you're returning to that genre. Can you talk about your role in The Dark Tower? I know they haven't announced who you are yet, but maybe just about going to a much larger production. How is it working on that set with that story?

Well first part of the question is really just about horror movies. I think that for me starting off my career, I knew nobody in the business, I think I grew up in Toronto Canada, so horror movies was the way of getting your start and getting the experience that you need, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world and I think a lot of young actresses out there should always keep their eyes and ears open for those types of projects because of the genre. It's strong enough that a lot of people will watch simply because of the nature of the movie itself.

But The Dark Tower was an amazing experience. We shot in Cape Town. I shot it during my hiatus. I only had less than two months of break in between so it just likely worked out in terms of scheduling. So I went straight from the end of season four, and straight to Toronto to visit my family and literally two days later, I was on the plane to Cape Town so it was really quick.

I know that they have been trying to get this movie made for over eight years. Ron Howard is producing it, Idris Elba is starring in it and Matthew McConaughey also and we have an incredible young cast as well. And I play a character that’s in the novels as well but cannot talk about who I play quite yet.

But I will say this. I have some great scenes with Matthew McConaughey, who I love working with. I actually worked with him years and years ago on one of my first movies so it was nice to reunite with him and he plays a very interesting character and we have a great, incredible director who is very hands-on with the actors and really has his own vision of how his voice will be conveyed behind the camera and how he wants the film to be really authentic and real. I think fans are going to absolutely love it and I know that they are in talks of doing a TV show now and possibly more movies and I know I had an incredible experience working on it and it's just going to be amazing when it comes out. And I believe the dates are now saying it will air in July so I'm excited to see it in theaters and I'm sure you guys will too.

Oh yes, I'm so excited too, thank you so much.

My pleasure. And I play a character that’s extremely different than Lagertha so I will say that.

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WHOSE SIDE WILL YOU JOIN? VIKINGS: SEASON 4 VOLUME 1 Arrives on Blu-ray™ & DVD October 4        “Simply some of the best character-driven historical drama out there”  – Forbes (Eric Kain)

VIKINGS: SEASON 4 VOLUME 1 Vikings returns for a gripping fourth season. Season 3 culminated with the extraordinary battle in Paris, where Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) seized victory from the jaws of defeat–but still returns to Kattegat dangerously ill. Thoughts of his death galvanize the forces who seek to succeed him as king, including his wife Queen Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) and his oldest son, Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig). Meanwhile, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) continues power struggles with her calculating, former second in command, Kalf (Ben Robson); Rollo (Clive Standen) betrays his Vikings heritage by remaining in Frankia and Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) is seized for his brutal actions to the Christian priest Athelstan. Joining the stellar cast this season is Peter Franzén as King Harold Finehair, a complex character who seeks to be King of Norway and a potential threat to Ragnar; Jasper Pääkkönen as Halfdan The Black, King Harold’s violent younger brother; and Dianne Doan as Yidu a completely different character within the world of the Vikings who fascinates Ragnar. Created and written by Michael Hirst – one of the premier historical story-tellers in the industry (Academy-Award® winning film Elizabeth; and the Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated series The Tudors), Michael serves as Executive Producer along with Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo; The Tudors), Sheila Hockin (The Tudors; The Borgias), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (The Tudors; The Borgias), James Flynn (The Tudors; The Borgias), Sherry Marsh, and Alan Gasmer. Jana Bennett and Arturo Interian are the executives in charge of production for HISTORY. VIKINGS is an international Irish/Canadian co-production being co-produced by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. HISTORY broadcasts domestically in the U.S. MGM brought the series to the network and brings VIKINGS to the global audience, serving as the worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada. VIKINGS is produced in association with Shaw Media, and the series also airs on HISTORY in Canada. VIKINGS: SEASON 4 VOLUME 1 Special Features Include:  The Transformation of Rollo (Available on Blu-ray & DVD) The Viking Seafaring Prowess (Available on Blu-ray & DVD) The Sons Of Ragnar Interactive Piece (Available on Blu-ray) Extended Episodes (Available on Blu-ray) VIKINGS: SEASON 4 VOLUME 1 Street Date:                   October 4, 2016 Screen Format:              16:9 (1.78:1)             Audio:                            DVD: English DD 5.1                                        BD: English DTS-HD-MA 5.1 BD Extended Episodes: English DTS-HD-MA 6.1, Spanish DD 5.1, French (Parisian)                                                              DTS 5.1, Castilian DTS 5.1, Portuguese (Brazilian) DD 5.1                       Subtitles:                        DVD: English SDH, Spanish, Quebecois                                        BD: English SDH, Spanish, Quebecois BD Episodes:                 English SDH, Spanish (Latin) + txt, Quebecois, French                                                                       (Parisian) + txt, Castilian + txt, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian,                                                      Portuguese (Brazilian) + txt, Swedish. Total Run Time:            14:24:01 U.S. Rating:                  TV-14

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HISTORY®’s hit drama series “Vikings” returned to San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 22 and revealed a sneak peek of the returning season four during a cast panel with Travis Fimmel (“Ragnar”), Katheryn Winnick (“Lagertha”), Clive Standen (“Rollo”), Alexander Ludwig (“Bjorn”), Gustaf Skarsgard (“Floki”) and Michael Hirst (writer/creator).

Below is the trailer shown this evening during the SDCC panel: 

The remaining 10 episodes of season four is slated to premiere this Fall. From creator and sole writer Michael Hirst (Academy Award® winning film Elizabeth and the Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated series “The Tudors”), “Vikings” is a family saga that tells the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of the raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages.

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It’s official: we’re back in Paris. Next week the battle will commence! 

“The Profit and the Loss” – Thursday, March 31 at 10 p.m.

In England, King Ecbert’s ambitions are revealed as he schemes to gain the crown of Mercia while outside Paris, the Vikings attack with considerable force but can they breach Rollo’s defenses? Meanwhile, Harbard, the mysterious wanderer, returns and causes a stir amongst the women of Kattegat.

Vikings: 'The Real Vikings' - Women | History

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HISTORY has renewed ‘Vikings for Season 5 and Jonathan Rhys Meyers will be joining the cast as a series regular!

Next week, Paris is back in our sights. 

“What Might Have Been” – Thursday, March 24 at 10 p.m.

Ragnar announces another raid on Paris at the Thing in Kattegat and although the fleet is battered by a storm after it sets-out, the greatest challenge for the Vikings lies ahead in Paris, where Rollo awaits. Ecbert also has a journey in mind as he dispatches Aethelwulf and Alfred on a pilgrimage to Rome.

CLIPS & PROMOS FROM VIKINGS SEASON 4 EPISODE 6: Airs Thursday, March 24 at 10/9c on HISTORY

Vikings: Season 4 Episode 6 Official Preview | History

Vikings: Official Mid-Season Teaser | Thursdays 10/9c | History

Vikings: 'The Real Vikings' - Who Was Ragnar Lothbrok? | History

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“Promised” – Thursday, March 17 at 10 p.m.

There’s an air of betrayal at Court in Paris and Wessex as those whom Odo trusts plot against him and Ecbert agrees to support Kwenthrith in Mercia, but is Ecbert a true ally? Ragnar confides in Yidu his darkest secret.

CLIPS & PROMOS FROM VIKINGS SEASON 4 EPISODE 5: Airs Thursday, March 17 at 10/9c on HISTORY

FLOKI AND HELGA MEET HALFDAN AND HARALD

“PROMISED” PROMO

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Hope you are enjoying season 4! Episode 3 is jam packed with excitement.

“Mercy” – Thursday, March 3 at 10 p.m.

Ragnar sees that Floki faces devastating punishment for the murder of Athelstan, but as Floki remains a prisoner, a mysterious visitor to Ragnar counsels mercy. Intrigue prevails at the French Court as Rollo finds an unlikely ally in Count Odo, but can’t escape the contempt of his new bride. Bjorn must fight a brutal opponent in the wilderness but will he survive the threat that Erlendur and Kalf are sending his way? 

CLIPS & PROMOS FROM VIKINGS SEASON 4 EPISODE 3: Airs Thursday, March 3 at 10/9c on HISTORY

BJORN V. BEAR

“MERCY” PROMO

VIKINGS SUPERTEASE

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VIKINGS season 4 is officially in full throttle. Next week’s episode shows no signs of slowing down; so grab your shields and get ready to raid!

“Kill the Queen” – Thursday, February 25 at 10 p.m.

As Ragnar and Floki remain at odds in Kattegat, Rollo makes great efforts in Paris to win over his new bride, Princess Gisla. Bjorn’s survival skills are put to the test in the wilderness, while King Ecbert sets the task for his son Aethelwulf to rescue Queen Kwenthrith from opposing forces in Mercia.

CLIPS & PROMOS FROM VIKINGS SEASON 4 EPISODE 2: Airs Thursday, February 25 at 10/9c on HISTORY

ROLLO’S MAKEOVER

RAGNAR V. FLOKI

PROMO: SEASON 4, EPISODE 2 SNEAK PEAK

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Gear up your shields and axes – the season 4 premiere of History’s VIKINGS is about to return to the small screen!

“A Good Treason” – Season Premiere: Thursday, February 18 AT 10PM ET/PT

Entry to Valhalla eludes Ragnar but as he lies in his sick bed in Kattegat events unfold beyond his control. Bjorn orders the arrest of Floki for Athelstan’s murder while in Paris, Rollo betrays the last of his Viking supporters to strengthen his position in the French Court. Meanwhile, in Hedeby, Kalf announces joint Earldom with Lagertha, but is power-sharing Kalf’s true intention and is Lagertha actually willing to share what once was hers?

CLIPS & PROMOS FROM VIKINGS EPISODE ONE: Airs Thursday, February 18 at 10/9c on HISTORY

ROLLO & GISLA’S WEDDING NIGHT

BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER TEASER

LAGERTHA TRAILER

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History already announced that this season of Vikings would be supersized. Below is an early look at season four of HISTORY’s hit drama series VIKINGS, premiering Thursday, February 18 at 10 p.m. It looks bigger and bloodier than ever!

  

About VIKINGS

HISTORY’s hit drama series “Vikings” returns for a gripping fourth season led by Travis Fimmel, star of the upcoming film Warcraft, on Thursday, February 18 at 10 p.m. ET. The network has added four episodes to its initial 16 episode order. Beginning February 18, a new episode will air every Thursday for ten weeks with the remaining episodes to air later in the year.

Season three culminated with the extraordinary battle in Paris, where Ragnar (Fimmel) seized victory from the jaws of defeat – but still returns to Kattegat dangerously ill. Thoughts of his death galvanize the forces who seek to succeed him as king, including his wife Queen Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) and his oldest son, Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig). Meanwhile, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) continues power struggles with her calculating, former second in command, Kalf (Ben Robson); Rollo (Clive Standen) betrays his Vikings heritage by remaining in Frankia and Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) is seized for his brutal actions to the Christian priest Athelstan.

Joining the stellar cast this season is Peter Franzén (The Gunman) as “King Harold Finehair,” a complex character who seeks to be King of Norway and a potential threat to Ragnar; Jasper Pääkkönen (Jet Trash) as “Halfdan The Black,” King Harold’s violent younger brother; and Dianne Doan(“Descendants”) as “Yidu,” a completely different character within the world of the Vikings who fascinates Ragnar.

“Vikings” is the critically acclaimed series from creator and sole writer Michael Hirst (Academy Award® winning film Elizabeth and the Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated series “The Tudors”) and is a family saga that tells the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of the raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages.

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The Vikings came, and found Paris a much bigger obstacle than they have ever encountered. As the season closes, the Vikings have come to terms with Paris, and are the brink of losing their King. Ragnar is dying from his injuries, on one of his terms to tend the siege was a baptism to reunite him with his dear friend Athelstan when he leaves this world.

The French ride to see the Vikings. They have brought all the treasure as they had promised. They have met their obligation, and hope that the Vikings will meet theirs as well and leave promptly. Rollo is not pleased with this at all, but many of the others seem pretty pleased with the outcome.

Rollo goes to see his brother, he tells him that they have brought the payment. The treasure makes no difference to Ragnar, he is dying. He holds Athelstan's cross, content in the knowledge that he will see Athelstan again.

Floki walks with Rollo for a moment, he warned the others that the priest was poisoning Ragnar, and now Rollo has a heavy heart. Lagertha does not believe in her heart that Ragnar wants to be a christian. Rollo was baptized too, but he was protected from the Christian magic by their Gods, Ragnar is not so lucky because of Athelstan.

Kalf hopes that the Christian rumors are true, believing that no Christian King will ever rule their world. Its an insult to their Gods and people. Assassination plots are dreamt of.

Inside the walls of Paris, the mass is held. The Emperor is a little too pleased with himself. All go to their knees expect him at the final invocation. The commander heads to speak with Princess Gisla, but she refuses him. Another maiden does with to prove her gratitude, but the Count is called away. The Emperor sees their victory as a great one, but Princess Gisla does not feel it is so. They paid the Vikings to leave. The Emperor thinks that they will be better prepared next time.

Many celebrate into the night. Floki seeks out Helga, but she doesn't want him to touch her. She cannot forgive him for what she knows.

Bjorn sits with his dying father. Ragnar tells him that there will come a time when he is responsible for their people. He is king for now. He tells Bjorn that when the time comes he needs to lead with his head not his heart. He has a task for him.

Rollo looks to Paris in the distance, remembering the words of the seer.

The celebrations have ceased, and most lie sleeping, including Ragnar. Lagertha peeks at him, but does not disturb him.

The Count entertains the maiden in his bed chambers. Her husband won't miss her for the night. She thinks the princess is boring, and wishes to entertain him. He leads her downstairs, to his little torture chamber. That's not the sort of entertainment she was thinking of. He asks her to submit to being chained up and whipped, she can even choose her whip. The woman doesn't back down. She looks at the whipping instruments as he tells her she can call a halt at any time. She gets into shackle position, ready to keep his interest. He asks her to tell him to strike, and she does. He lands a heavy blow to her back.

Floki is building when Helga finds him early in the morning. Ragnar asked him to build him one final thing.

The French look out over their walls. It's been nearly a month since they paid the Vikings, and yet they have not left yet, and they want to know why.

The French ask the Vikings directly to see why the Vikings have not left. Bjorn tells them honestly, Ragnar is too sick and dying, he cannot travel. The Count wants to see for himself, and Bjorn takes him, while his men await outside. Inside of the tent, Bjorn tells him that if Ragnar dies he asks for a proper Christian burial. Should Ragnar die, the Count will allow him to be brought to the Cathedral by unarmed men, and a mass will be said for his soul. Ragnar shakes and sputters. He grabs his son's hand, as the Traveler and the count leave them.

Night falls, and there is singing. Bjorn sits outside of Ragnar's death tent. From their walls, the French keep watch. Ragnar's time has come, and Bjorn closes the door to his death boat. He leaves the tent, and all come to hear the news of Ragnar's passing. Ragnar's boat is lifted to its display, as Bjorn tells the group that they may go say their final words to him.

Lagertha goes to see her former husband says. She never thought that the Gods had this in store for him. If he has gone to heaven, they will never see each other again. She believes though that Odin will make his way to Heaven and take him to Valhalla where he belongs. With after everything, she hopes that they will be able to once again fight, drink and love one another.

Rollo admits to his brother that he was always jealous of him. He's sorry he's dead, but it happens to all of them sooner or later. He finds it funny that the Gods took him first, he always thought the Gods favored Ragnar, even Ragnar thought that, but it seems they were both mistaken.

Floki comes next. He made the boat that took Ragnar to fame, and the boat that will take him to Heaven. He tells him to give his regards to Athelstan. He feels like Ragnar betrayed his heritage, everything and everyone, especially him. He loved Ragnar more than anyone, more than that priest, but Ragnar never appreciated Floki. Floki hates Ragnar, and loves him with all his heart, even as he tears him away from himself.

The Vikings chant and sing as they carry their beloved King to Paris. Just as the French promise, they open the gates to receive Ragnar. His pallbearers are allowed into the city, as the other continue their ceremony outside of the walls. The gates close behind Ragnar's ship as it is lead towards the cathedral. The French cross themselves, and sing their mass for the fallen King. It's both solemn and beautiful. Behind the procession, the people follow into the cathedral. Ragnar's death boat is brought before the Emperor and Princess Gisla, the mass begins. As the priest sprinkles holy water on it, Ragnar wakes, and throws the boat open, scaring everyone inside. Ragnar holds the Emperor at knife point. Well that was one hell of a Trojan horse. Ragnar kills the bishop. Princess Gisla goes on the attack, and Ragnar grabs her. The Count cautions everyone from stopping him, for fear that he will kill the Princess. The Emperor faints. Ragnar takes the Princess through the streets with his pallbearers, back towards the gates. The Vikings cut the ropes to the bridge to stop the French from stopping him. He opens the gates, and his horde is on the other side. Ragnar lets the Princess go, but she's confused. He pushes her towards her guards, and she finally runs. Bjorn motions the attack forward. Ragnar returns to his son. It was prophicized that the living could not conquer Paris, but that the dead could. Ragnar collapses to his knees before his son. Lagertha and the others walk forward, and head into Paris.

The French try to muster a defense, but the Vikings are inside.

The city is falling, and the people are huddled inside of the cathedral. Princess Gisla returns. The Commanding Count thought that the Vikings would leave after they got what they wanted, but they didn't want treasure. The Emperor is in shock, his cathedral has been defiled. Princess Gisla tells him to get up, the heathen are gone.

Lagertha is not pleased that Bjorn kept the truth of Ragnar's nondeath from them. She feels that he does not trust them. Bjorn was only doing what his father told him to do. They're headed back home, but intend to come back in the spring, and they need to leave a presence there. Floki offers to stay, but Rollo tells him no, that he has no reason to stay. Bjorn wants to know his reason to stay. Bjorn makes the decision that Rollo and his chosen will stay while the rest return home.

From the shore, Rollo watches his brother, and his family leave him far behind. Ragnar gives his brother a final look from the boat, as he's rowed out.

The Emperor dines with his daughter, glad that they're able to enjoy their fine foods again. He knows that the Vikings have left for now, but they will return in the spring. Princess Gisla thinks that one of his brothers would come to their aid. The Emperor admits that he has begged and pleaded for aid, but none has come, none will come. He sends his servers away. He will not be the Emperor who let Paris become ruin. Princess Gisla asks him if he will give them more money in disgust. He plans to give them something more precious to him, her. Princess Gisla is displeased, she thinks that this is the work of the count, since she refused him. She would do almost anything for her city, but not this. The Emperor has already sent an envoy, and the Princess is even more distraught that she was not asked first. As the Emperor, he had to make a hard decision, and she must obey it.

Rollo is given the terms of the treaty. He will become very rich and very important, and he will get the Princess as a wife. Rollo asks what he must do in return. Rollo would have to defend Paris against his brother in return.

Rollo heads in to meet with the Emperor. He takes in the opulence as everyone openly stares at him. His men fan out around him, and the Emperor welcomes him warmly. Princess Gisla, not so much. She tells him that she will not marry him, that he has no soul, and he is worse than the beasts of the field. He disgusts her. Rollo likes her spirit. He tries his tongue at French, and is happy at his effort.

The Vikings continue their long voyage home. While most sleep, Floki cannot. Ragnar calls to him, and he hurries, like an eager puppy. Floki searches Ragnar's face. Ragnar knows the truth now. Floki killed Athelstan.

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