List of ''Vikings'' characters

Cast of Vikings in Season 4, from left to right: Linus Roache (Ecbert), Jennie Jacques (Judith), Gustaf Skarsgård (Floki), James Quinn Markey (Ivar), Alyssa Sutherland (Aslaug), Travis Fimmel (Ragnar), Alexander Ludwig (Bjorn), Katheryn Winnick (Lagertha), Ben Robson (Kalf), Clive Standen (Rollo) and Morgane Polanski (Gisla)

Vikings is an 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.^[1]

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. The broad historical narrative is based on real events, with some of the principal characters representing real figures from history and/or legend.

The show portrays Ragnar as a former farmer who rises to fame by successful raids into England, and eventually becomes king of Denmark, with the support of his family and fellow warriors: his brother Rollo, his son Bjorn Ironside, and his wives—the shieldmaiden Lagertha and the princess Aslaug.

Main characters

The following is a list of series regulars who have appeared in one or more of the series's five seasons. The characters are listed in the order they were first credited in the series.

Cast notes

• ^1 In season 1, Bjorn Ironside is portrayed by recurring child actor Nathan O'Toole.
• ^2 In seasons 2 and 4, Bjorn Ironside is also portrayed by recurring child actor Nathan O'Toole.
• ^3 In the first part of season 4, Aethelwulf is portrayed by recurring actor Moe Dunford. In the second part of season 4, Aethelwulf is portrayed by starring cast member Moe Dunford.
• ^4 In seasons 2 and 3, Ivar the Boneless is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor.
• ^5 In the first part of season 4, Ivar the Boneless is portrayed by recurring child actor James Quinn Markey and guest actor Alex Høgh. In the second part of season 4, Ivar the Boneless is portrayed by starring cast member Alex Høgh.
• ^6 In seasons 2 and 3, Hvitserk is portrayed by recurring infant actor Cathal O'Hallin.
• ^7 In the first part of season 4, Hvitserk is portrayed by recurring child actor Stephen Rockett and guest actor Marco Ilsø. In the second part of season 4, Hvitserk is portrayed by starring cast member Marco Ilsø.
• ^8 In seasons 2 and 3, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor.
• ^9 In the first part of season 4, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye is portrayed by recurring child actor Elijah O'Sullivan and guest actor David Lindström. In the second part of season 4, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye is portrayed by starring cast member David Lindström.
• ^10 In seasons 2 and 3, Ubbe is portrayed by recurring infant actor Cormac Melia.
• ^11 In the first part of season 4, Ubbe is portrayed by recurring child actor Luke Shanahan and guest actor Jordan Patrick Smith. In the second part of season 4, Ubbe is portrayed by starring cast member Jordan Patrick Smith.

Travis Fimmel

Katheryn Winnick

Clive Standen

Jessalyn Gilsig

Gustaf Skarsgård

George Blagden

Gabriel Byrne

Donal Logue

Alexander Ludwig

Kevin Durand

Lothaire Bluteau

Peter Franzén

Jasper Pääkkönen

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Ragnar Lothbrok

• Played by Travis Fimmel (seasons 1−4)

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 prepared to learn about other cultures. Based on the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok.

Lagertha

• Played by Katheryn Winnick (seasons 1−present)

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.

Rollo

• Played by Clive Standen (seasons 1−present)

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.

Siggy

• Played by Jessalyn Gilsig (seasons 1−3)

Earl Haraldson's wife, and later the love-interest 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.

Floki

• Played by Gustaf Skarsgård (seasons 1−present)

A gifted but eccentric shipbuilder and friend of Ragnar. His ships create a revolution in shipwrighting. He considers himself descended from the trickster god Loki.

Athelstan

• Played by George Blagden (seasons 1−4)

An Anglo-Saxon monk originally serving at 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. He finally chooses Christ and is murdered by Floki.

Earl Haraldson

• Played by Gabriel Byrne (season 1)

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 to his rule. He is killed by Ragnar during personal combat.

Aslaug

• Played by Alyssa Sutherland (seasons 1−4)

Ragnar's second wife, claiming to be the daughter of the shieldmaiden and valkyrie Brynhildr and the dragonslayer Sigurd. She is ultimately killed and usurped by a vengeful Lagertha. Based on the legendary Aslaug.

King Horik of Denmark

• Played by Donal Logue (seasons 1−2)

A powerful king of Denmark who ends up being overthrown by Ragnar. Based on the historical Horik I.

Bjorn Ironside

• Played by Nathan O'Toole (seasons 1−2, 4) and Alexander Ludwig (seasons 2−present)

Ragnar and Lagertha's son, given his epithet by his father after his first battle with the Saxons. Based on the semi-historical or legendary Björn Ironside.

King Ecbert of Wessex

• Played by Linus Roache (seasons 2−4)

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.

Kalf

• Played by Ben Robson (seasons 3−4)

A prominent and ambitious Hedeby villager who later betrays Lagertha and takes her earldom.

Harbard

• Played by Kevin Durand (seasons 3−present)

A charismatic wanderer and storyteller who visits Kattegat.

Emperor Charles of West Francia

• Played by Lothaire Bluteau (seasons 3−present)

Ruler in Paris, he witnesses Ragnar's attack on the city and later employs Rollo as the defender against future Viking raids. Based on the historical Charles the Simple.

The Seer

• Played by John Kavanagh (seasons 1−present)

Seiðr of Kattegat. He often provides mysterious predictions to the characters.

King Harald Finehair

• Played by Peter Franzén (seasons 4−present)

An ambitious Viking who seeks to become the first King of Norway. Based on the semi-historical or legendary Harald Fairhair.

Halfdan the Black

• Played by Jasper Pääkkönen (seasons 4−present)

Harold's violent younger brother. A composite character of the historical Halfdan Ragnarsson and semi-historical or legendary Halfdan the Black, the father of Harald Fairhair.

Prince Aethelwulf

• Played by Moe Dunford (seasons 2–present)

Son of King Ecbert and a fanatical Christian. He is married to Princess Judith, with whom he has a son, Prince Aethelred. Based on the historical Aethelwulf.

Ivar the Boneless

• Played by an uncredited infant actor (seasons 2-3), James Quinn Markey (season 4) and Alex Høgh (seasons 4−present)

Ragnar and Aslaug's conflicted fourth son. A birth defect has rendered his legs useless and left him impotent. Based on the historical Ivar the Boneless.

Hvitserk

• Played by Cathal O'Hallin (seasons 2-3), Stephen Rockett (season 4) and Marco Ilsø (seasons 4−present)

Ragnar and Aslaug's second son. Based on the semi-historical or legendary Hvitserk.

Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye

• Played by an uncredited infant actor (seasons 2-3), Elijah O'Sullivan (season 4) and David Lindström (season 4)

Ragnar and Aslaug's third son. Killed by his brother Ivar. Based on the semi-historical or legendary Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye.

Ubbe

• Played by Cormac Melia (seasons 2-3), Luke Shanahan (season 4) and Jordan Smith (seasons 4−present)

Ragnar and Aslaug's first son. Based on the historical Ubba.

Bishop Heahmund

• Played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers (seasons 4−present)

A very religious warrior priest.^[5] Broadly based on the historical Heahmund.

Recurring characters

The following is a list of characters that are, or at one time were, recurring guests on the series, listed in the order that they first appeared on the show.

Cast notes

• ^12 In season 2, Judith is portrayed by recurring actress Sarah Greene.
• ^13 In seasons 2 and 3, Angrboda is portrayed by an uncredited infant actress.
• ^14 In season 3 and in the first part of season 4, Guthrum is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor.
• ^15 In seasons 3 and 4, Aethelred is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor.
• ^16 In season 3, Alfred is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor. In the first part of season 4, Alfred is portrayed by recurring infant actor Conor O'Hanlon.
• ^17 In season 3, Magnus is portrayed by an uncredited infant actor.

Svein

• Played by David Pearse (season 1)

A loyal henchman of Earl Haraldson. He is killed by Rollo, after Earl Haraldson's death.

Gyda

• Played by Ruby O'Leary (seasons 1 and 4)

Daughter of Ragnar and Lagertha. She dies in a plague. Loosely based on Ragnar's unnamed daughters.

Erik

• Played by Vladimir Kulich (season 1)

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.

Leif

• Played by Diarmaid Murtagh (season 1)

One of Ragnar's warriors and son of Erik and Elisef. He offers himself as a sacrifice at Uppsala.

Arne

• Played by Tadhg Murphy (seasons 1–2)

One of Ragnar's warriors; an archer with an eyepatch. He is killed in battle by Rollo.

Torstein

• Played by Jefferson Hall (seasons 1–3)

One of Ragnar's warriors and closest friends.

Elisef

• Played by Carrie Crowley (seasons 1–2)

Wife of Erik and the mother of Leif.

King Aelle of Northumbria

• Played by Ivan Kaye (seasons 1–4)

Ruler of one of England's ancient kingdoms. Based on the historical King Ælla of Northumbria. He was executed by Bjorn as retribution for Ragnar's death.

Thyri

• Played by Elinor Crawley (seasons 1 and 3)

Daughter of Earl Haraldson and Siggy. She, along with Gyda, dies in a plague.

Helga

• Played by Maude Hirst (seasons 1–4)

Floki's long-suffering lover and wife. Murdered by her own adopted daughter who shortly after committed suicide.

Queen Ealhswith of Northumbria

• Played by Cathy Whyte (seasons 1–2, 4)

Wife of King Aelle and the mother of Princess Judith.

Jarl Borg

• Played by Thorbjørn Harr (seasons 1–2)

A powerful warlord of a 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.^[6][7]

Erlendur

• Played by Edvin Endre (seasons 2–4)

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.

Earl Sigvard

• Played by Morten Suurballe (season 2)

Lagertha's second husband and Earl of Hedeby. He is killed by Lagertha.^[8]

Torvi

• Played by Georgia Hirst (seasons 2–present)

Wife of Jarl Borg then lover and wife of Bjorn.

Bishop Edmund

• Played by Philip O'Sullivan (seasons 2–4)

An influential advisor at the court of King Ecbert. Based on the historical Eadmund of Winchester.

Þórunn

• Played by Gaia Weiss (seasons 2–3)

Bjorn's love interest. She has a daughter, Siggy.^[9]

Einar

• Played by Steve Wall (seasons 2–4)

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.

Princess Judith

• Played by Sarah Greene (season 2) and Jennie Jacques (seasons 3–present)

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.

Kwenthrith

• Played by Amy Bailey (seasons 2–4)

Pretender to the throne of Mercia. She has a brother, Prince Burgred, and a putative illegitimate son with Ragnar, Magnus. Based on the historical Cwenthryth.

Angrboda

• Played by an uncredited infant actress (seasons 2–3) and Rosalie Connerty (season 4)

Floki and Helga's daughter.

Prince Burgred

• Played by Aaron Monaghan (season 3)

The rebellious brother of Kwenthrith. Based on the historical Burgred of Mercia. He is poisoned by Kwenthrith who becomes Queen of Mercia.

Guthrum

• Played by an uncredited infant actor (seasons 3–4) and Anton Giltrap (seasons 4–present)

Jarl Borg and Torvi's son. Based on the historical Guthrum (whose ancestry is not known).

Aethelred

• Played by an uncredited infant actor (seasons 3–4) and Darren Cahill (seasons 5–present)^[10]

Prince Aethelwulf and Princess Judith's son. Based on the historical Æthelred of Wessex.

Earl Siegfried

• Played by Greg Orvis (season 3)

A friend of Earl Kalf's and 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

• Played by Frankie McCafferty (seasons 3–4)

A wanderer who taught Ragnar about England and Frankia and who serves as a translator for the Northmen.

Alfred

• Played by an uncredited infant actor (season 3), Conor O'Hanlon (season 4) and Isaac O'Sullivan (seasons 4–present)

Son of Judith and Athelstan. Based on the historical Alfred the Great.

Count Odo

• Played by Owen Roe (seasons 3–4)

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.

Princess Gisla

• Played by Morgane Polanski (seasons 3–present)

Daughter of Emperor Charles and later wedded to Duke Rollo (Rollo Lothbrok). Based on the historical or legendary Gisela of France.

Roland

• Played by Huw Parmenter (seasons 3–4)

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.

Magnus

• Played by an uncredited infant actor (seasons 3–4) and Cameron Hogan (seasons 4–present)

Ragnar and Kwenthrith's supposed illegitimate son.

Therese

• Played by Karen Hassan (seasons 3–4)

A noblewoman, Roland's sister, and Count Odo's mistress. She is assassinated with his brother by Emperor Charles's men.

Yidu

• Played by Dianne Doan (season 4)

Chinese slave belonging to Aslaug. Yidu becomes protective of the sons of Ragnar. She also forms a close bond with Ragnar and provides 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 drugs, Ragnar drowns her.

Father Prudentius

• Played by Seán Ó Meallaigh (seasons 4–present)

Serves at the court of King Ecbert.

Astrid

• Played by Josefin Asplund (seasons 4–present)

Shield maiden and lover of Lagertha.

Margrethe

• Played by Ida Marie Nielsen (seasons 4–present)

One of Queen Aslaug's slaves in Kattegat and the shared lover of Ubbe, Hvitserk and Sigurd. She is disturbed by Ivar and fears him. She is later freed and married by Ubbe. Hvitserk remains her lover with Ubbe's consent.

William

• Played by Charles Last (seasons 4–present)

First son of Rollo and Gisla. Based on the historical William I Longsword.

Tanaruz

• Played by Sinead Gormally (season 4)

A Moorish orphan girl adopted by Helga.

Egil

• Played by Charlie Kelly (seasons 4–present)

An agent of King Harald.

Minor characters

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.

• Eddie Drew (seasons 1 and 3) and André Eriksen (season 4) as Odin, appearing to Ragnar and his sons
• Gary Murphy as Bishop Unwan, serving at the court of King Aelle (seasons 1, 4)
• Carl Shaaban as Jesus, appearing to Athelstan and Ragnar (seasons 2–3)
• Søren Pilmark as Stender, a farmer who escaped Wessex after Aethelwulf's raid (seasons 3–4)
• Uncredited infant actress as Siggy, Þórunn and Bjorn's daughter (seasons 3–4)
• Laurence Foster (season 3), Barry McGovern (season 4) and Tom Hopkins (seasons 4–present) as the Archbishop, serving in Paris

Season 1

• Conor Madden as Eric Trygvasson, a Viking who is prosecuted in Kattegat by Earl Haraldson
• Eddie Elks as Olafur, a Viking
• Jouko Ahola as Kauko, a Finnish Viking and one of Ragnar's warriors
• Eric Higgins as Knut Tjodolf, Earl Haraldson's half-brother
• Des Braiden as Father Cuthbert, in charge of the monastery of Lindisfarne
• Will Irvine as Brother Cenwulf, serving at the monastery of Lindisfarne
• Jonathon Kemp as Lord Wigea, officer of King Aelle
• Peter Gaynor as Lord Edgar, advisor of King Aelle
• Trevor Cooper as Earl Bjarni, a Swedish earl and Thyri's husband-to-be
• Angus MacInnes as Tostig, an old Viking warrior
• David Murray as Lord Aethelwulf, King Aelle's brother
• Sean Treacy as Ecgberth, King Aelle and Queen Ealswith's son

Season 2

• Morgan Jones as The Law Giver, the lawspeaker of Kattegat
• Anna Aström as Hild, a servant in Kattegat
• Jay Duffy as Ari, King Horik's second son
• Duncan Lacroix as Ealdorman Werferth of Wessex
• Alan Devine as Ealdorman Eadric of Wessex
• Edmund Kente as Bishop Swithern of Winchester. Based on the historical Swithun.
• Richard Ashton as Thorvard, a Viking
• Elizabeth Moynihan as Queen Gunnhild of Denmark, King Horik's wife

Season 3

• Ian Beattie as King Brihtwulf of Mercia, Kwenthrith and Burgred's uncle. Based on the historical Beorhtwulf of Mercia.
• Mark Huberman as Louis, a soldier in Paris
• James Murphy as Ansgar, a monk trying to convert Vikings in Kattegat. Based on the historical Ansgar.

Season 4

• Cillian O'Sullivan as Eirik, a Viking warrior living in Rollo's settlement in Paris
• Des Carney as Waerferth the Scout, serving King Ecbert
• Niall Cusack as Abbot Lupus, Rollo's teacher in Paris
• Robban Follin as Berserker, an assassin recruited by Erlendur and Kalf
• Declan Conlon as Wigstan, a relative of Kwenthrith and head of the Royal Family of Mercia. Based on the semi-historical Wigstan.
• Adam McNamara as Thorhall, a Danish Viking
• Uncredited infant actor as Erik, Bjorn and Torvi's son
• Uncredited infant actor as Refil, Bjorn and Torvi's son
• Liam Clarke as Gudmund, a Viking warrior
• Ed Murphy as Gardar, a Viking warrior
• Jack Walsh as John Scotus Eriugena
• Uncredited child actor as Marcellus, second son of Rollo and Gisla
• Uncredited child actress as Celsa, daughter of Rollo and Gisla
• Caitlin Scott as Princess Blaeja, Judith's sister
• Jack Nolan as Earl Jorgensen, a Swedish warlord, sacrificed to the gods by Lagertha to secure the victory against the Saxons.
• Sophie Vavasseur as Princess Ellisif, the former betrothed of King Harald
• Gary Buckley as Earl Vik, Princess Ellisif's husband
• Tamaryn Payne as Widow Ordlaf, a lady of Sherborne

Family trees

King Ragnar, Emperor Charles, and King Horik's family

King Ecbert and King Aelle's family

Queen Kwenthrith's family

References