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, concluding on December 30, 2020.[1] A standalone sequel series, , written and created by Jeb Stuart for Netflix, premiered on February 25, 2022, concluding on July 11, 2024.[2]
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, while Vikings: Valhalla, set 100 years later, chronicles the beginning of the end of the Viking Age and the adventures of Leif Erikson, his sister Freydís Eiríksdóttir and Harald Sigurdsson. The broad historical narrative of both series are based on real events, with some of the principal characters representing real figures from history and/or legend.
Vikings portrays Ragnar as a former farmer who rises to fame by successful raids into England, and eventually becomes king, with the support of his family and fellow warriors: his brother Rollo, his son Björn Ironside, and his wives—the shieldmaiden Lagertha and the princess Aslaug. Vikings: Valhalla portrays Leif and Freydís as immigrants from Greenland to Norway, who are respectively pulled into the Viking campaign to conquer Great Britain and the growing religious divide between Christians and Pagans. The Seer (portrayed by John Kavanagh) is the only character to appear in both series, having appeared in at least one episode of every season.
The following is a list of series regulars who have appeared in one or more of the six seasons of Vikings or the three seasons of Vikings: Valhalla. The characters are listed in the order they were first credited.
= Main cast (credited)
= Recurring cast (3+)
= Guest cast (1-2)
| Character | Actor | Vikings | Valhalla | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 1 | Part 2 | ||||||||
| Ragnar Lothbrok | Travis Fimmel | colspan="7" | |||||||||||
| Lagertha | Katheryn Winnick | colspan="4" | |||||||||||
| Rollo | Clive Standen | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Siggy | Jessalyn Gilsig | colspan="9" | |||||||||||
| Floki | Gustaf Skarsgård | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Earl Haraldson | Gabriel Byrne | colspan="11" | |||||||||||
| Athelstan | George Blagden | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| King Horik | Donal Logue | colspan="10" | |||||||||||
| Aslaug | Alyssa Sutherland | colspan="7" | |||||||||||
| King Ecbert | Linus Roache | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Björn Ironside | Alexander Ludwig | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| colspan="7" | |||||||||||||
| Kalf | Ben Robson | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Harbard | Kevin Durand | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Charles | Lothaire Bluteau | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| The Seer | John Kavanagh | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Harald Finehair | Peter Franzén | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Halfdan the Black | Jasper Pääkkönen | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Ivar the Boneless | Alex Høgh Andersen | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Hvitserk | Marco Ilsø | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye | David Lindström | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| Ubbe | Jordan Patrick Smith | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Aethelwulf | Moe Dunford | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| Bishop Heahmund | Jonathan Rhys Meyers | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Oleg the Prophet | Danila Kozlovsky | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Erik | Eric Johnson | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Torvi | Georgia Hirst | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Gunnhild | Ragga Ragnars | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Othere | Ray Stevenson | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Leif Erikson | Sam Corlett | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Freydís Eiríksdóttir | Frida Gustavsson | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Harald Sigurdsson | Leo Suter | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| King Canute the Great | Bradley Freegard | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Jarl Olaf Haraldsson | Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson | ||||||||||||
| Jarl Estrid Haakon | Caroline Henderson | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Queen Emma | Laura Berlin | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Earl Godwin | David Oakes | ||||||||||||
See main article: Ragnar Lothbrok (Vikings).
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 eager to learn about other cultures. Based on the semi-legendary Ragnar Lodbrok.
Lagertha is Ragnar's first wife and a shieldmaiden. Following her separation from Ragnar, Lagertha rises to become Earl of Hedeby in her own right, going by the name Earl Ingstad. Following the deaths of Ragnar and Aslaug, she becomes Queen of Kattegat. Based on the legendary Lagertha.
Ragnar's brother. A ruthless and skilled warrior, but his life in his brother's shadow makes Rollo's feelings towards Ragnar change from love and admiration to hateful jealousy. Eventually, he defects to the Franks and is made Duke of Normandy. Based on the historical Rollo.
Earl Haraldson's wife, and later the lover of Rollo. She possesses a strategic mind and an urge to regain her power and influence, but grows to care for Ragnar and his family. She drowns while attempting to save Ragnar's children from a similar fate as her own.
A gifted but eccentric shipbuilder and friend of Ragnar. His ships create a revolution in shipwright techniques. He considers himself descended from the trickster god Loki. Loosely based on the historical Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson.[3]
Ragnar's predecessor as Earl of Kattegat and husband of Siggy. He grows to resent Ragnar's ambitions to raid the West, and sees Ragnar's growing popularity as a threat. He is killed by Ragnar during personal combat.
An Anglo-Saxon monk from the monastery of Lindisfarne in Northumbria. Captured by Ragnar on his first raid, Athelstan is constantly torn between the customs of Christian England and the pagan ways of Scandinavia. Athelstan becomes a confidant of King Ecbert after he is captured by his army.
A powerful king in Denmark who ends up being overthrown by Ragnar. Based on the historical Horik I.
Ragnar's second wife, claiming to be the daughter of the shieldmaiden and valkyrie Brynhildr and the dragonslayer Sigurd. When Ragnar becomes King of Kattegat, she becomes its queen. She is killed and usurped by a vengeful Lagertha. Based on the legendary Aslaug.
Ruler of the most powerful kingdom in England. He dreams of becoming Bretwalda and becomes an unlikely friend of Ragnar. Based on the historical Egbert of Wessex.
Ragnar and Lagertha's son, given his epithet by his father after his first battle with the Saxons. Based on the historical Björn Ironside.
A prominent and ambitious Hedeby villager who later betrays Lagertha and takes her earldom.
A charismatic wanderer and storyteller who visits Kattegat.
Ruler in Paris, he witnesses Ragnar's attack on the city and later employs Rollo as a defender against Viking raids. Charles is a composite character drawing from the historical Charles the Bald (grandson of Charlemagne who first defended Paris from the Vikings), Charles the Fat (who commanded Odo) and Charles the Simple (who encountered Rollo, and may have had a daughter Gisela).
Seiðr of Kattegat. A 200-year-old blind being who often provides mysterious predictions to the characters. He is murdered by Ivar after refusing to recognise Ivar as a god and predicting Ivar's fall. In Valhalla, the Seer returns as a spirit guide, who appears to Freydís Eiríksdóttir and Jarl Gorm throughout their lives.
The ambitious king of Vestfold, who seeks to become king of all Norway and marry Ellisif. He allies with Ragnar during his second raid on Paris. He then conquers his neighbours' lands. He joins the Great Heathen Army and battles Aella and Aethelwulf. He fails to conquer Kattegat. He discovers Ellisif is married, and murders her husband, and then kidnaps and marries Astrid. She is killed in battle and he vows vengeance on Lagertha. He sails with Bjorn to retake Kattegat, but their fleet is damaged by a storm. Harald saves Bjorn's life but takes a serious battle wound. Olaf rescues Harald, but occupies Vestfold. Harald's men beg Bjorn for help, and Bjorn repays his debt. When Olaf tries to have Bjorn elected as over-king of Norway, Harald defeats Bjorn in the election, but Harald's men fail to kill Bjorn. Olaf refuses to recognise Harald, so Harald has him put away and sends warriors to secure his borders.
Based on the historical Harald Fairhair.
Harald's violent younger brother. He hates Christians and tries to kill as many as possible. He grows tired of living in his brother's shadow and of Harald's war with other Norsemen, and joins Bjorn's expedition to the Mediterranean. They form a close friendship which leads Halfdan to join Lagertha's side when Ivar and Harald declare war. Faced by Harald in battle, he is killed. A composite character of the historical Hastein and historical Halfdan the Black, the father of Harald Fairhair.
Ragnar and Aslaug's fourth and most violent son. A birth defect has rendered his legs useless and left him impotent. Ivar is more unstable than his brothers, sadistic and seemingly narcissistic. While publicly boastful, he is insecure and feels unloved except by his mother Aslaug. When Lagertha kills Aslaug, Ivar vows vengeance and with the help of Harald and Rollo makes himself king of Kattegat. He is married to his former slave Freydis, who manipulates him. Based on the historical Ivar the Boneless.
Ragnar and Aslaug's second son. He enjoys battle and adventure and sides with his younger brother Ivar when Ivar and Ubbe fall out. As Ivar's megalomania increases and Ivar becomes more abusive of him, Hvitserk starts to question his decision. A composite of the semi-historical or legendary Hvitserk, the historical Halfdan Ragnarsson and the historical warlord Guthrum.
Ragnar and Aslaug's third son. Killed by his brother Ivar after years of bullying. Based on the historical Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye.
Ragnar and Aslaug's first son. He is the most responsible of Aslaug's sons, and does not initially take part in raiding, preferring to stay and protect Kattegat. When his mother is killed, he wants revenge. However, as his previously warm relationship with Ivar turns hostile, he sides with Lagertha. When Lagertha is driven into exile in England, Ubbe becomes Alfred's advisor and converts to Christianity. Based on the historical Ubba.
Son of King Ecbert. He is married to Princess Judith, with whom he has a son, Prince Aethelred. He dies by asphyxiation after being stung by a bee. Based on the historical Aethelwulf.
A very religious warrior priest.[4] Heahmund leads an army in resistance against the Norse presence in York, becoming a principal ally to Aethelwulf. He is eventually captured by Ivar who admires his skill as a warrior. Heahmund fights for Ivar against Lagertha, but is captured in the initial battle. Having become smitten by Lagertha, he seduces her and switches to her side. On his suggestion, Lagertha and her followers seek refuge in England. Through Heahmund's influence the Northmen are given sanctuary in return for fighting against other Viking raiders. When Harald Finehair attempts to raid Wessex, Heahmund fights in the frontline. In the battle he is wounded by arrows and killed by Gunnhild. Broadly inspired by the historical Heahmund.
The Varangian (east European Viking) ruler of Kiev, called "the Prophet". He is the protector of the heir to the Rus kingdom, Igor and brother in law of Igor's father Rurik. Oleg is sadistic and uses his status as Igor's protector as a pretext for consolidating control over the kingdom. He has successfully sacked Constantinople, but is critical of Rurik's eastward expansion. Oleg wants to conquer Scandinavia which he claims is the property of the Rus. Oleg takes in Ivar, thinking him useful for his plan to invade Scandinavia. Oleg forms an uneasy friendship with Ivar after revealing that he murdered his wife after discovering her infidelity. Ivar's similar experience with Freydis brings them closer. The character is based on the semi-historical Oleg the Prophet.
An outlaw who helps Bjorn and later Harald. He later becomes the King of Kattegat in Harald's absence alongside Queen Ingrid but she has him killed.
Wife of Jarl Borg, then the wife of Erlendur, later the wife of Bjorn and eventually, the wife of Ubbe. Initially a timid girl, she rises to become a shieldmaiden under Lagertha.
Jarl Olavsonn's wife. Harald becomes enamored with her, but after Olavsonn's death, she marries Bjorn instead. As his wife, she becomes queen of Kattegat. She is based on the quasi-historical Gunnhild.
A wanderer living in Iceland. His real name is Athelstan and he was a monk in England. During his travels as a missionary, he took the identity of the dying wanderer Othere and moved to Iceland. He then sailed west and glimpsed the Golden Land. Ubbe asks him to sail again with him to find the new land.
Originally an explorer from Greenland, Leif was the son of Erik the Red, the founder of the first Norse settlement in Greenland, and Thjodhild of Iceland. Based on the legendary Leif Erikson.[6]
Freydís is the daughter of Erik the Red,[8] and the sister of Leif Erikson. She is portrayed as a masculine, strong-willed woman who would defy the odds of her society.
Great-grandson of Harald Fairhair[10] and the younger brother of Olaf Haraldson, Harald was ambitious and sought to become king of all Norway someday. He allies with Canute during his raid on England. Based on the historical Harald Hardrada.
King Canute is the powerful King of Denmark and Norway. Based on the historical Cnut.
Older brother of Harald, son of Harald Grenske and great grandson of Harald Fairhair. Olaf dreams of becoming King of Norway, usurping Danish rule, and rooting out paganism. Based on the historical Olaf II of Norway.
Haakon was the Jarl of Kattegat, as a vassal under King Canute. Her husband was killed by Christians. Her grandmother was an African noblewoman Haakon's grandfather had met in Alexandria. She was killed during the attack by Jarl Kåre. Based on the historical Haakon Ericsson.
A descendant of Rollo, who became the English queen through her marriages to the Anglo-Saxon king Æthelred the Unready and later King Canute. Based on the historical Emma of Normandy.
Godwin, the son of a disgraced ealdorman, became one of the most trusted advisors of King Æthelred the Unready of England by delivering him something none of his peers could: the truth. Following Aethelred's death, he serves as an advisor to young King Edmund until the Vikings overrun London following which he becomes an advisor to King Canute. Based on historical Godwin, Earl of Wessex.
The following is a list of recurring characters, listed in the order that they first appeared on the show.
= Main cast (credited)
= Recurring cast (3+)
= Guest cast (1-2)
| Character | Actor | Vikings | Valhalla | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 1 | Part 2 | ||||||||
| Svein | David Pearse | colspan="11" | |||||||||||
| Gyda | Ruby O'Leary | colspan="7" | |||||||||||
| Erik | Vladimir Kulich | colspan="11" | |||||||||||
| Leif | Diarmaid Murtagh | colspan="11" | |||||||||||
| Arne | Tadhg Murphy | colspan="10" | |||||||||||
| Torstein | Jefferson Hall | colspan="9" | |||||||||||
| King Aelle | Ivan Kaye | colspan="7" | |||||||||||
| Thyri | Elinor Crawley | colspan="9" | |||||||||||
| Helga | Maude Hirst | colspan="7" | |||||||||||
| Elisef | Carrie Crowley | colspan="10" | |||||||||||
| Rafarta | Donna Dent | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Queen Ealhswith | Cathy White | colspan="7" | |||||||||||
| Jarl Borg | Thorbjørn Harr | colspan="10" | |||||||||||
| Erlendur | Edvin Endre | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Earl Sigvard | Morten Suurballe | colspan="10" | |||||||||||
| Bishop Edmund | Philip O'Sullivan | colspan="7" | |||||||||||
| Thorunn | Gaia Weiss | colspan="9" | |||||||||||
| Judith | Jennie Jacques | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Einar | Steve Wall | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Kwenthrith | Amy Bailey | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Angrboda | Rosalie Connerty | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Burgred | Aaron Monaghan | colspan="9" | |||||||||||
| Earl Siegfried | Greg Orvis | colspan="9" | |||||||||||
| Sinric | Frankie McCafferty | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| Alfred | Ferdia Walsh-Peelo | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Odo | Owen Roe | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Gisla | Morgane Polanski | colspan="7" | |||||||||||
| Roland | Huw Parmenter | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Therese | Karen Hassan | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Aethelred | Darren Cahill | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Guthrum | Ben Roe | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| Magnus | Dean Ridge | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Yidu | Dianne Doan | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Prudentius | Seán Ó Meallaigh | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Waerferth | Des Carney | colspan="8" | |||||||||||
| Astrid | Josefin Asplund | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| Margrethe | Ida Marie Nielsen | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Hali | Ryan Henson | colspan="4" | |||||||||||
| Asa | Elodie Curry | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Tanaruz | Sinead Gormally | colspan="7" | |||||||||||
| Lord Cyneheard | Malcolm Douglas | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Lord Cuthred | Jonathan Delaney Tynan | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| White Hair | Kieran O'Reilly | colspan="4" | |||||||||||
| Kassia | Karima McAdams | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| Kjetill Flatnose | Adam Copeland | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Eyvind | Kris Holden-Ried | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Aud | Leah McNamara | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Helgi the Lean | Jack McEvoy | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Thorunn | Mei Bignall | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Ingvild | Kelly Campbell | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Bul | James Craze | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| Asbjorn | Elijah Rowen | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Thorgrim | Rob Malone | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| Frodi | Scott Graham | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Jorunn | Tallulah Belle Earley | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Svase | Anthony Brophy | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| Snaefrid | Dagny Backer Johnsen | colspan="6" | |||||||||||
| Queen Freydis | Alicia Agneson | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| Princess Katia | colspan="3" | ||||||||||||
| Elsewith | Róisín Murphy | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Thora | Eve Connolly | colspan="4" | |||||||||||
| Lady Ethelfled | Ann Skelly | colspan="5" | |||||||||||
| King Olaf the Stout | Steven Berkoff | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Amma | Kristy Dawn Dinsmore | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Ingrid | Lucy Martin | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Ganbaatar | Andrei Claude | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Prince Dir | Lenn Kudrjawizki | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Prince Igor | Oran Glynn O'Donovan | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Anna | Serena Kennedy | colspan="4" | |||||||||||
| Isabelle Connolly | colspan="3" | ||||||||||||
| King Hakon | Mishaël Lopes Cardozo | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Gudrid | Noella Brennan | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Naad | Ian Lloyd Anderson | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Peminuit | Wesley French | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| We'jitu | Phillip Lewitski | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Liv | Lujza Richter | ||||||||||||
| Yrsa | Álfrún Laufeyjardóttir | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Skarde | Edward Franklin | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Njal | Gavan O'Connor-Duffy | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Agnarr | Christopher Rygh | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Jarl Norí | Kenneth M. Christensen | ||||||||||||
| Arne Gormsson | Pääru Oja | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Hallbjorn | James Ballanger | ||||||||||||
| Prince / King Edmund II | Louis Davison | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Eadric Streona | Gavin Drea | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Cyneheard, Earl of Kent | Alan Devine | ||||||||||||
| Wulfhere, Earl of Sussex | Mark Huberman | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Oswick, Earl of East Anglia | Gavin O'Connor | ||||||||||||
| Leofric, Earl of Northumbria | Martin Philips | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Jarl Kåre | Asbjørn Krogh Nissen | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Queen Ælfgifu | Pollyanna McIntosh | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| King Sweyn Forkbeard | Søren Pilmark | colspan="3" | |||||||||||
| Princess Gytha | Henessi Schmidt | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Prince / King Svein Knutsson | Charlie O'Connor | ||||||||||||
| Jakob Femerling Andersen | |||||||||||||
| Jorundr Torvilsson | Stanislav Callas | ||||||||||||
| Ælfwynn | Maria Guiver | ||||||||||||
| Hrefna | Emily Mcentire | ||||||||||||
| Amalia Holm | |||||||||||||
| Valgerda | Aoibhinn McGinnity | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Lord Hárekr | Bradley James | ||||||||||||
| Lady Gudrid | Yngvild Støen Grotmol | ||||||||||||
| Kolr | Patrick Loftus | ||||||||||||
| Grand Prince Yaroslav the Wise | Marcin Dorociński | ||||||||||||
| Mariam | Hayat Kamille | ||||||||||||
| Batu | Taylor James | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Kaysan | Kayode Akinyemi | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Lord Vitomir | Steven Brand | ||||||||||||
| Eleana / Empress Zoe | Sofya Lebedeva | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Kurya | Tolga Safer | ||||||||||||
| Gestr | Eigil Hedegaard | ||||||||||||
| Brigtoc | Ailbe Cowley | ||||||||||||
| Cadlín | Siobhán Callaghan | ||||||||||||
| Dorn | Elaenor McLynn | colspan="2" | |||||||||||
| Prince Harold Harefoot | Ruben Lawless | ||||||||||||
| Pyry Kähkönen | |||||||||||||
| Magnus Olafsson | Stefán Haukur Jóhannesson | ||||||||||||
| Set Sjöstrand | |||||||||||||
| Emperor Romanos III | Nikolai Kinski | ||||||||||||
| General Georgios Maniakes | Florian Munteanu | ||||||||||||
| Stígr | Leander Vyvey | ||||||||||||
| Harald Haraldsson | Luke Harmon | ||||||||||||
| Bishop Grimketel | Horatio James | ||||||||||||
| Dunstan | Peter Claffey | ||||||||||||
| Queen Katla | Kate Bratchyna | ||||||||||||
| Prince Edward | Cal O'Driscoll | ||||||||||||
| Prince Alfred | Henry Proctor | ||||||||||||
| Prince Harthacanute | Huey O'Meara | ||||||||||||
| Erik the Red | Goran Višnjić | ||||||||||||
| Hilde | Carrie Crowley | ||||||||||||
A loyal henchman of Earl Haraldson. He is killed by Rollo, after Earl Haraldson's death.
Daughter of Ragnar and Lagertha. She dies in a plague. Loosely based on Ragnar's unnamed daughters.
Elderly Viking and one of Ragnar's warriors. He has a wife, Elisef, and a son, Leif. He is an early supporter of Ragnar and is murdered by earl Haraldson.
One of Ragnar's warriors and son of Erik and Elisef. He offers himself as a sacrifice at Uppsala.
One of Ragnar's warriors; an archer with an eye patch. He is killed in battle by Rollo.
One of Ragnar's warriors and closest friends. He makes a suicidal attack on the Mercians after having contracted gangrene and amputation of his arm prevents fail to stop the spread.
Wife of Erik and the mother of Leif.
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.
Daughter of Earl Haraldson and Siggy. She, along with Gyda, dies in a plague.
Floki's long-suffering lover and wife. Murdered by her own adopted daughter who shortly after committed suicide.
A woman of Kattegat and Eyvind's wife. She joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. Her brother was killed by Kjetill's father Erik Tryggvason prior to the events of the series. She is killed by Kjetill.
Wife of King Aelle and the mother of Princess Judith.
A powerful warlord of an earldom in Götaland. He has a wife, Torvi, and a son, Guthrum. He was killed by Ragnar with the Blood Eagle, for having attacked his people and his family.[12] [13]
King Horik's first son. He is cruel and spiteful. After the death of his father, he seeks vengeance against Ragnar and his family. He ends up marrying Torvi and conspires with Kalf to ruin Ragnar. He is killed by Torvi herself after frequently threatening Torvi's son Guthrum. Loosely based on the historical Horik II
Lagertha's second husband and Earl of Hedeby. He is killed by Lagertha after multiple incidents of abuse.[14]
An influential advisor at the court of King Ecbert. He is murdered by Hvitserk when the Great Heathen Army sacks Ecbert's villa. A composite character of the historical Eadmund of Winchester and the historical Edmund of East Anglia
Bjorn's love interest and later first wife. Shortly after the birth of their daughter Siggy she leaves Bjorn.[15]
A scheming troublemaker, and ally of Earl Sigvard of Hedeby. He later betrays Sigvard and helps Lagertha gain power in Hedeby. When Lagertha rejects his advances, he helps Kalf gain power in Hedeby. In the end, he is injured by Kalf and killed by Lagertha.
Daughter of King Aelle and Queen Ealhswith of Northumbria and the wife of Aethelwulf. She has a legitimate son with Aethelwulf, Aethelred, and an illegitimate one with Athelstan, Alfred. Based on the historical Judith of Flanders.
Contender to the throne of Mercia and later its Queen. She has a brother, Prince Burgred, and a putative illegitimate son with Ragnar, Magnus. She is stabbed by Judith after threatening to kill Ecbert. Based on the historical Cwenthryth.
Floki and Helga's daughter. She dies in childhood.
The rebellious brother of Kwenthrith. Based on the historical Burgred of Mercia. He is poisoned by Kwenthrith who becomes Queen of Mercia.
Prince Aethelwulf and Princess Judith's son. Based on the historical Æthelred of Wessex.
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 (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).
Son of Judith and Athelstan. Broadly based on the historical Alfred the Great.
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.
Daughter of Emperor Charles and later wedded to Duke Rollo. Based on the historical Gisela of France.
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.
A noblewoman, Roland's sister, and Count Odo's mistress. She is assassinated with her brother by Emperor Charles's men.
Jarl Borg and Torvi's son. He is killed in battle by Hvitserk. Loosely based on the historical Danish warlord Guthrum
Ragnar and Kwenthrith's supposed illegitimate son. After spending his life as a hostage, he is evicted by Aethelwulf when Ragnar denies being his father. Magnus starts to consider himself a Viking, converts to the Norse religion, and joins Harald. He joins Bjorn and Hvitserk's siege of Kattegat but suffers a crisis of faith. Coming to terms with his new identity, he tries to scale the walls as the battle turns against Bjorn. Magnus is shot to death by White Hair, when he fails to protect himself with his shield. Loosely based of Bagsecg, who also invaded England in 870/71
Chinese slave brought after the siege of Paris who is bought by Queen Aslaug. She becomes protective of the sons of Ragnar and also forms a close bond with Ragnar, providing him with a drug and becoming his lover. Later she becomes distressed with the Viking way of life and tries to leave Ragnar. When she refuses to provide him with more of the drug and blackmails him, Ragnar drowns her.
Serves at the court of King Ecbert.
One of King Ecbert's scouts. He is stabbed to death by Kwenthrith.
Shieldmaiden and lover of Lagertha. She and Bjorn have a secret affair. She is kidnapped by Harald and marries him but grows to become fond of him. When attempting to warn Lagertha of an attack, she is raped by the whaler she tries to bribe. She falls pregnant and unsure if the baby is Harald's or her rapist's, induces Lagertha to kill her during battle, admitting that she was always her true love. After her death, Harald carries her earring around as remembrance and swears vengeance on Lagertha.
One of Aslaug's slaves in Kattegat and the shared lover of Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd. She is disturbed by Ivar and fears him. She is freed and marries Ubbe. Hvitserk remains her lover with Ubbe's consent. Ubbe eventually rejects her to marry Torvi, causing Margrethe to go insane. Hvitserk takes care of her, but when Ivar has a dream where Margrethe stabs him, he murders her using assassins.
Bjorn and Torvi's son. He is killed by White Hair.
Bjorn and Torvi's daughter. Falls overboard of a ship after seeing Jörmungandr and dies.
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.
A nobleman and member of the clergy of Wessex. After Bishop Heahmund is taken by the Vikings, Cuthred is appointed Bishop of Sherborne in place of Heahmund who is presumed dead. Heahmund later kills him for conspiring against him and Alfred.
The leader of Ivar's bodyguards. After Ivar's defeat, he is outcast from Kattegat by King Bjorn. He turns to banditry and raids the village where Lagertha has retired, killing Bjorn's son Halli in such a raid. Lagertha leads the resistance and eventually kills White Hair in single combat.
Ivar's former slave and love interest. She becomes Queen of Kattegat by marrying Ivar. As Ivar is believed to be impotent, she has sex with a slave whom she later murders in order to produce a child. Freydis claims she conceived through magically consuming Ivar's blood. This and Freydis's sycophancy lead Ivar to declare himself a god. When the child is eventually born, it is deformed. This breaks Ivar's ego and he suspects Freydis has fooled him. Ivar leaves the child out to die, turning Freydis against him. She shows Hvitserk, Bjorn and Harald a secret way through the walls, allowing them to storm Kattegat. As the city falls, she admits what she has done and Ivar strangles her to death.
A Byzantine abbess. Loosely inspired by the historical Kassiani.
A violent and bold patriarch of a large family, the son of Eric Tryggvasson. He is chosen by Floki for an expedition to set up a colony. A composite charakter of the legendary Ketill Flatnose and the historical Erik the Red
A Viking of Kattegat who joins Floki's expedition. He becomes disillusioned in Iceland, and becomes antagonistic to Floki. His wife Rafarta's brother was killed by Kjetill's father, which makes him antagonistic to Kjetill. After his son Bul is accidentally killed by Thorgrim, Thorgrim is found drowned; Floki believes Eyvind is responsible. Eyvind's daughter in law Thorunn vanishes. Rafarta claims Thorunn was suicidal, which is disproved when Floki produces her body. Rafarta and Asbjorn are implicated as the murderers and Floki banishes Eyvind and his family. The family is ravaged by disease and weather and sends Helgi for help. Helgi brings back Floki, Kjetill and Frodi, along with several of Kjetill's farmhands. The farmhands capture Floki at knifepoint as Kjetill and Frodi murder Eyvind and all of his family.
Kjetill Flatnose and Ingvild's daughter, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. Something of a surrogate daughter to Floki, she tries to mend peace between the feuding clans of Kjetill and Eyvind. She kills herself in Iceland after finding out Kjetill and her brother Frodi murdered Eyvind and his family.
Eyvind and Rafarta's son, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. He is killed by Kjetill.
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.
Kjetill Flatnose's wife, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony.
Eyvind and Rafarta's son, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. He is killed by Thorgrim.
Eyvind and Rafarta's son, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. He is killed by Kjetill.
Kjetill Flatnose and Ingvild's son, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. He mysteriously drowns in Iceland.
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.
Eyvind and Rafarta's daughter, who joins Floki's expedition to set up a colony. She is killed by Frodi.
A Sami chief and an ally to Lagertha. He is killed in battle. Loosely based on the legendary Sami king Svasi.
King Svase's daughter. She becomes Bjorn's third wife and is killed in battle. Loosely based on the legendary Snæfrithr Svásadottir, a wife of Harald Fairhair.
An ealdorman of Wessex. He conspires with Prince Aethelred to overthrow King Alfred.
Mannel's daughter, Queen Judith's niece and King Alfred's wife. She has an affair with Bjorn.
Hvitserk's love interest. Ivar has her burned after she implicates herself as a critic of Ivar's regime and denies his status as a god. Hvitserk, after consuming psychedelic mushrooms, believes he is haunted by her ghost who implores him to kill Ivar.
Lord Cuthred's daughter and Prince Aethelred's wife.
A Norwegian king with whom Ivar seeks an alliance. Hvitserk is sent to broker the deal, but Hvitserk instead asks Olaf to help overthrow Ivar. The amused Olaf has Hvitserk imprisoned and tortured. When Hvitserk refuses to relent, the impressed Olaf agrees to attack Kattegat. After the battle, he declares Bjorn king of Kattegat. Harald is seriously injured, and Olaf saves his life, but also occupies his kingdom and keeps Harald a prisoner. Loosely based of the historical Amlaib Conung
A shieldmaiden in Harald's army. After the re-conquest of Kattegat by Bjorn she is made Hvitserk's caretaker. She is killed by Ganbaatar in the final battle between the Norwegian collation and the Rus'.
A slave serving Gunnhild and Bjorn in Kattegat. She becomes the fifth wife of Bjorn. After Harald rapes her and Bjorn is slain in battle, she marries Harald unsure if the child she is carrying is Bjorn's or Harald's. She is later revealed to be a witch, and after Harald's death, Ingrid becomes the sole ruler of Kattegat, ending Ragnar Lothbrok's legacy.
Oleg's captain. He is decapitated by Gunnhild after his horse is shot dead by Ingrid.
Oleg's brother. Oleg tortures him but he escapes after getting help from Ivar.
The son of Rurik and heir to Kievan Rus'. He is the ward of Oleg, who rules the kingdom in his name as regent. Igor fears Oleg, and is keen to escape to Oleg's brothers Dir and Askold. However, he is aware that he can use Oleg as a puppet, just as Oleg uses him. Igor and Ivar form a bond. Based on the historical Igor of Kiev.
Oleg's second wife, who has a striking resemblance to Freydis. She has an affair with Ivar and it is revealed that she is a spy who was sent by Dir to overthrow Oleg. She later helps Hvitserk, Ivar and Igor escape from Oleg and is present when Oleg dies.
Dir's wife who helps to rescue him.
One of the kings of Norway and a rival to Bjorn.
A settler who travels west with Ubbe's crew. She loses her son at sea. Loosely based of the historical Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir
A settler who travels west with Ubbe's crew.
A Miꞌkmaq warrior of the New Land. He is the eldest son of Pekitaulet, the Sagamaw of her tribe.
A Miꞌkmaq warrior and Peminuit's younger brother. He is killed by Naad.
One of Canute's huscarls. He becomes Emma's principal ally and enforcer in season 2 when Canute is away to fight the Vends.
A Norwegian jarl who wants to eradicate paganism in Norway. He hates pagans after his parents offered up his older brother as a human sacrifice in Uppsala when he was a child. He is the principal antagonist of season 1 of Vikings: Valhalla.
Queen Ælfgifu is the first wife of Canute and is the Queen of Denmark. She is from Mercia. Ælfgifu is calculating, ambitious and charming and tries to gain as much power and respect as her husband. Based on the historical Queen Ælfgifu.
King Sweyn Forkbeard is the retired king of Denmark who steps in as acting ruler in England when Canute goes to fight of a Vendish invasion in Denmark. He becomes an unlikely ally to Emma. Based on the historical Sweyn Forkbeard.
The ruler of Jomsborg, presented in the show as a pagan police state in Pomerania.
The lord of Chude and father of Eleana. He makes a deal to fund Harald's trade expedition to Constantinople so he and his daughter can have his protection on their own diplomatic journey to the city. He drowns in the Dnieper when the frozen river breaks during thaw.
The daughter of the Chude lord Vitomir. She becomes romantically involved with Harald during their perilous journey through Rus.
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.
The following is a list of named characters who appeared in just one episode of the series.
Continuous lines signify a lineal descent and/or consanguinity, dashed lines signify a marriage, and dotted lines signify a sexual relationship.