Vikings Cast (2013–2020)
History Channel | Historical Drama / Action | 6 Seasons, 89 Episodes | Created by Michael Hirst
Vikings is a historical drama series that follows the legendary Norse chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok as he rises from a simple farmer to become King of the Vikings. Inspired by the sagas of Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons, the series explores raids on England and France, complex Norse mythology, and the brutal political intrigues of the ninth century. After Ragnar's death midway through the series, his sons — each with a distinct personality — carry the narrative across the British Isles and the Mediterranean.
The Vikings cast is anchored by Travis Fimmel's magnetic performance as Ragnar Lothbrok, one of the most celebrated portrayals of a legendary historical figure in prestige television. Alongside Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick brings fierce dignity to Lagertha, the shield-maiden whose warrior spirit became an icon of strong female characters on TV. The ensemble also showcases Gustaf Skarsgård's eccentric brilliance as Floki and a rich second generation of sons — Alexander Ludwig, Alex Høgh Andersen, Marco Ilsø, and Jordan Patrick Smith — who carry the show's ambitious later seasons.
Main Cast
Travis Fimmel
Ragnar Lothbrok
A Viking farmer who rises to become a legendary king and explorer, driven by insatiable curiosity about the wider world. Series lead for Seasons 1–4.
Katheryn Winnick
Lagertha
Ragnar's first wife and a formidable shield-maiden who becomes an earl in her own right; one of the show's most enduring characters across all six seasons.
Clive Standen
Rollo
Ragnar's older, fiercely ambitious brother whose complex jealousy and eventual alliance with the Franks makes him one of the series' most conflicted figures.
Alexander Ludwig
Bjorn Ironside
Ragnar's eldest son, a bold warrior who embodies his father's pioneering spirit and leads the Viking expansion into the Mediterranean.
Gustaf Skarsgård
Floki
Ragnar's eccentric, brilliant shipbuilder and closest friend, whose deep spiritual devotion to the Norse gods frequently puts him at odds with those around him.
Alex Høgh Andersen
Ivar the Boneless
Ragnar's youngest and most dangerous son, whose physical disability belies an extraordinary military and strategic mind; the primary antagonist of the later seasons.
Marco Ilsø
Hvitserk
One of Ragnar's sons who struggles throughout the series to define his own identity in the shadow of his brothers, ultimately falling into a volatile and destructive path.
Jordan Patrick Smith
Ubbe
The most thoughtful and diplomatically minded of Ragnar's sons, who seeks peaceful coexistence with the Saxons and eventually leads an expedition to discover new lands.
Peter Franzén
King Harald Finehair
An ambitious Norwegian king whose obsessive desire for power and love make him both a rival and an occasional ally to Ragnar's sons in the later seasons.
Linus Roache
King Ecbert of Wessex
An English king of unusual intelligence and vision who develops a complex, almost admiring relationship with Ragnar, recognising in him a kindred restless spirit.
Georgia Hirst
Torvi
A Viking woman whose alliances and marriages reflect the shifting political landscape of the series; she eventually becomes Bjorn Ironside's partner and a trusted warrior.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Bishop Heahmund
A fierce Saxon warrior-bishop whose unexpected alliance — and romantic entanglement — with Lagertha becomes one of the most talked-about storylines of Season 5.
Supporting & Recurring Cast
| Actor | Character | Role | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Blagden | Athelstan | English monk taken as a slave who becomes Ragnar's closest confidant and a bridge between Norse and Christian worlds | 1–4 |
| Jessalyn Gilsig | Siggy | The scheming wife of Earl Haraldson who later becomes an ally to Ragnar's household | 1–3 |
| Gabriel Byrne | Earl Haraldson | The antagonistic Norse earl whose authority Ragnar challenges in the opening season | 1 |
| Alyssa Sutherland | Aslaug | A princess of legend who becomes Ragnar's second wife and the mother of his youngest sons | 2–5 |
| Dianne Doan | Yidu | A Chinese slave who becomes close to Ragnar during his period of personal crisis | 4 |
| Maude Hirst | Helga | Floki's devoted wife and one of the show's most quietly compelling supporting figures | 1–5 |
| Lothaire Bluteau | Emperor Charles | The Frankish emperor who negotiates the unexpected alliance with Rollo | 3–4 |
| Finn Nielsen | Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye | One of Ragnar's sons, distinguished by his unusual eye marking | 4–5 |
| Ferdia Walsh-Peelo | Alfred | The young Saxon prince, later Alfred the Great, who encounters the Vikings as a boy | 4 |
| Ben Robson | Kalf | Lagertha's scheming second-in-command who briefly usurps her earldom | 3–4 |
| Ida Marie Nielsen | Margrethe | A slave who becomes deeply entangled with Ragnar's sons in the later seasons | 4–5 |
| Danila Kozlovsky | Oleg of Novgorod | A ruthless Rus prince who becomes the primary antagonist in the final season | 6 |
Creators & Production
Michael Hirst
Creator and sole writer; also produced The Tudors and Elizabeth
Sheila Hockin
Executive producer, MGM Television
Morgan O'Sullivan
Executive producer, World 2000 Entertainment; oversaw Irish production
Trevor Morris
Composer; created the show's distinctive Norse-influenced score throughout the run
Jeff Woolnough
Frequent director; helmed episodes across multiple seasons
MGM Television
Production company; co-produced with World 2000 Entertainment, filmed primarily in Ireland
About the Vikings Cast
Vikings represented one of the most ambitious casting efforts in cable television history when it launched in 2013. Michael Hirst chose Travis Fimmel — known primarily for modeling at the time — for the central role of Ragnar, a decision that proved transformative. Fimmel brought an almost feral unpredictability to the role, making Ragnar simultaneously terrifying and oddly loveable. The production drew heavily on Scandinavian and British talent: Gustaf Skarsgård (son of Stellan Skarsgård) joined as Floki, Clive Standen brought British gravitas to Rollo, and Katheryn Winnick's Lagertha quickly became one of the most popular warrior women in television history, spawning a significant cultural following and merchandise lines.
The show's second half required a near-complete cast changeover after Ragnar's death at the end of Season 4. The series introduced a new generation of performers — Alexander Ludwig, Alex Høgh Andersen, Marco Ilsø, and Jordan Patrick Smith — tasked with carrying the show without its magnetic lead. Casting Danish actor Alex Høgh Andersen as Ivar the Boneless proved particularly inspired; his portrayal of a wheelchair-using Viking prince with explosive psychopathic rage became the dramatic engine of Seasons 5 and 6. The production also brought in high-profile guest stars including Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Danila Kozlovsky to sustain viewer interest through the concluding chapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in Vikings?
Travis Fimmel leads the Vikings cast as Ragnar Lothbrok for the first four seasons. Katheryn Winnick plays shield-maiden Lagertha throughout the series, while Gustaf Skarsgård appears as the eccentric shipbuilder Floki. After Ragnar's death midway through the series, the second half shifts focus to his sons, played by Alexander Ludwig, Alex Høgh Andersen, Marco Ilsø, and Jordan Patrick Smith.
Who plays Ragnar Lothbrok in Vikings?
Travis Fimmel plays Ragnar Lothbrok in Vikings. An Australian actor, Fimmel portrayed Ragnar from the pilot episode in 2013 through Season 4, Part 2, when the character meets his death in the famous snake pit. His charismatic performance is widely credited with making the show a global hit.
How many seasons of Vikings are there?
Vikings ran for 6 seasons on the History Channel, from March 2013 to December 2020, for a total of 89 episodes. The series was followed by the Netflix sequel series Vikings: Valhalla, which features new characters set roughly 100 years later.
Who created Vikings?
Vikings was created and written entirely by Michael Hirst, who served as sole writer throughout all six seasons. Hirst previously wrote The Tudors and Elizabeth for the screen. The series was produced by MGM Television and Octagon Films for the History Channel.
Who plays Ivar the Boneless in Vikings?
Alex Høgh Andersen plays Ivar the Boneless, Ragnar's youngest and most ruthless son. Andersen was a relatively unknown Danish actor when he was cast, but his intense portrayal of Ivar made the character one of the most compelling antagonists in the show's later seasons.
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