The ancient warrior genre that includes "Game of Thrones," "Merlin" and "Spartacus: War of the Damned" will get a little more crowded this winter/spring TV season: Make some room for the "Vikings."
History premieres its first scripted series at 9 p.m. CT March 3. It tells the story of the 8th century traders, explorers and warriors through the eyes of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), an adventurous farmer and family man who is frustrated by his local chieftain, Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne), who continues to send his raiders east to the poor Baltic states and Russia instead of west to new, unchartered lands.
Will you be tuning in to "Vikings?"
Curt Wagner, RedEye's Show Patrol
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Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) is based upon the real-life Viking leader who exploded out of Scandanavia and onto the world stage in the 8th Century. According to History, "Vikings" will chart "Ragnar's ambitions to discover civilizations across the great ocean to the west as well as his inevitable conflicts along the way. With the help of his jester friend Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard), they build a new generation of boats--faster, sleeker and more beautifully crafted than anything else on the sea." — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) fights. Says History: Lagertha (Winnick) is the first wife of Ragnar's and their marriage is a love-match. Ragnar was first attracted to Lagertha when she came to fight for a local Norwegian ruler against an invading Sweden. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick, center), Ragnar Lothbrok's wife, and their children, Bjorn (Nathan O'Toole) and Gyda (Ruby O'Leary), watch as Ragnar goes before Earl. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Boat builder and jokester Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard). Says History: Floki is based partly on the Norse god Loki, is an impish character and ship builder who designs and builds the prototype of the new generation of Viking ships which can sail across the open ocean but also up the shallowest of rivers. He is a design genius and he allows Ragnar to fulfill his dreams of sailing west and discovering new lands and new civilizations. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne) is the most important chiefrain in Ragnar's district. Says History: A man of limited vision, he suspects Ragnar's ambitions and goes head to head with him in a struggle for power and glory. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig), according to History, is Earl Haraldson's beautiful, enigmatic wife. She performs her duties impeccably and with style, but she may not be completely loyal to her husband. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Odin (Eddie Drew) is chief amongst the viking's gods. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Rolo (Clive Standen) is Ragnar's cousin, History says. He was initially one of his closest friends, involved in his early raids. But soon becomes jealous of his fame and success. — Kevin Lynch/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Athelstan (George Blagden) is a young, innocent, Christian monk living in the remote monastery of Lindisfarne on the Northumbrian coast of England. For centuries nothing disturbed the peace and tranquility of the religious way of life there – until the Vikings came. From their attitude to their gods, to sex, to sacrifice, the Vikings are a shockingly different culture to Athelstan. — Kevin Lynch/History, Jan. 22, 2013
King Aelle (Ivan Kaye), the Saxon King of Northumbria, sits on his throne. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) and the monk Athelstan (George Blagden) get her children to safety. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Ragnar Lothbrook (Travis Fimmel) on horseback. Apparently the vikings were good with water- and land-based transportation. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Did Vikings call it sexy time? Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick). — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
The fierce shieldmaiden Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) protects herself and her home. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) and her daughter, Gyda (Ruby O'Leary), catch eels. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick). — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Athelstan (George Blagden) works in the monastery. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Monks studying, translating or writing. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Ragnar's (Travis Fimmel) boat was built by Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard). — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
It wouldn't be a story about vikings without an Erik the Viking. Erik (Vladimir Kulich, left) advises Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) to take caution. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Ragnar, Erik and their crew walk through a conquered village. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) fighting in battle in "Vikings." — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) bows down to Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne), the leader of his group. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 22, 2013
Floki (Gutaf Skarsgard, from left), Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), Ragnar Lothbrook (Travis Fimmel, center) and Rollo (Clive Standen) come ashore. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) with her husband Ragnar (Travis Fimmel). — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne) and his wife Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig). — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and Rollo (Clive Standen, right) prepare for battle. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
Ragnar Lothbrook (Travis Fimmel) standing before Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne) — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) escapes death in a battle. — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne, center) and Ragnar Lothbrook (Travis Fimmel) — Jonathan Hession/History, Jan. 9, 2013
