Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Vikings, which originally premiered on History Channel and is now available on Netflix, bringing the legendary sagas of Norse warriors to life in spectacular fashion.
Originally premiering on March 3, 2013, and concluding on March 3, 2021, Vikings ran for six seasons with a total of 89 episodes, each averaging 45 minutes in length. Created by Michael Hirst, this historical drama series draws inspiration from the sagas of legendary Viking hero Ragnar Lodbrok and his descendants. The show successfully transitioned from History Channel to Netflix, where it has found a massive global audience eager to explore the brutal and fascinating world of Norse culture.
The series masterfully blends historical elements with compelling character development, creating a gritty portrayal of Viking society that doesn’t shy away from the violence and complexity of the era. What sets Vikings apart is its commitment to showing both the warrior culture and the rich mythology, political intrigue, and family dynamics that defined these legendary Norse figures.
Ragnar Lothbrok: Travis Fimmel’s Rise from Farmer to Legend
Travis Fimmel delivers a career-defining performance as Ragnar Lothbrok, transforming from a simple farmer with ambitious dreams into one of history’s most feared Viking raiders. Fimmel captures Ragnar’s evolution from curious explorer to ruthless king, showcasing a character driven by an insatiable hunger for discovery and conquest. His portrayal brilliantly balances Ragnar’s strategic brilliance with his impulsive nature, making him both admirable and terrifying.
The character’s journey spans the first four seasons, during which Ragnar challenges traditional Viking leadership, introduces innovative raiding techniques, and ultimately becomes a legendary figure whose influence extends far beyond his death. Fimmel’s nuanced performance shows how power and ambition can both elevate and destroy a man.
Lagertha: Katheryn Winnick’s Fierce Shieldmaiden
Katheryn Winnick’s portrayal of Lagertha stands as one of television’s most compelling female warriors. As Ragnar’s first wife and a formidable shieldmaiden, Lagertha embodies the strength and complexity of Viking women. Winnick’s performance showcases Lagertha’s evolution from devoted wife to independent ruler, never losing sight of her fierce warrior spirit.
The dynamic between Lagertha and Ragnar creates some of the series’ most emotionally charged moments, as their relationship transforms from passionate love to bitter rivalry while maintaining underlying respect. Lagertha’s journey proves that in the world of Vikings, women could be just as powerful and influential as their male counterparts.
The Great Heathen Army Rises
The series reaches its most epic proportions when Ragnar’s sons unite to form the Great Heathen Army, seeking revenge for their father’s death. This pivotal storyline transforms the show from individual character studies to sweeping historical drama, as Bjorn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless, and their brothers carve their own legendary paths across England and beyond.
These episodes showcase the series’ ability to balance multiple storylines while maintaining the personal stakes that made the earlier seasons so compelling. The sons’ different approaches to leadership and conquest create internal conflicts that are just as engaging as their external battles.
Success on Netflix and Global Impact
After its original run on History Channel, Vikings found new life on Netflix, where it has attracted millions of viewers worldwide and consistently ranks among the platform’s most popular historical dramas. The series has been praised for its authentic costumes, stunning cinematography of Irish landscapes doubling for Scandinavia, and its commitment to depicting Viking culture with both respect and unflinching honesty. Vikings has spawned a successful sequel series, Vikings: Valhalla, and has influenced countless other historical dramas, cementing its place as one of the most important historical television series of the 2010s.
An Epic Saga That Defines Historical Television
If you love historical dramas with complex characters, brutal battles, and rich mythology, Vikings is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This isn’t just a show about warriors; it’s an exploration of ambition, family, faith, and the clash between old gods and new religions that shaped medieval Europe.
Why This Series Commands Your Attention
Vikings stands as a masterpiece of historical television, combining authentic cultural details with compelling storytelling that makes ancient Norse society feel immediate and relevant, proving that the best historical dramas don’t just show us the past, they help us understand the present.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 89 (across 6 seasons)
Platform: Netflix, History Channel
Release/End Year: 2013-2021
Current IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Genre: Historical Drama, Action, Adventure
Production Type: Western series (Canadian-Irish co-production)
Status: Completed series
Protagonists: Travis Fimmel (Ragnar Lothbrok), Katheryn Winnick (Lagertha), Alexander Ludwig (Bjorn Ironside)
Antagonist: Various (King Ecbert, Ivar the Boneless, political rivals)