Cast for Netflix’s ‘Vikings: Valhalla’ revealed
Netflix has just announced the main cast of its upcoming epic Vikings: Valhalla, an original spin-off series that takes place roughly 100 years after the events in the History Channel’s fan-favorite drama Vikings.
The ensemble cast includes some familiar faces from other hit shows including The Witcher, Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead.
The upcoming historical action fiction drama series is set near the end of the Viking age as Scandinavian raiders continue their siege against England. A century after the epic story of Ragnar Lothbrok, Vikings: Valhalla will shed light on other well known Northmen in history including Leif Erikson, Freydis Eriksdotter, Harald Hardrada and the Norman King William the Conquerer, a Viking descendant.
According to creator Michael Hirst, the series will feature many of the same locations as its predecessor, and the Viking mythology will be another link that ties the two shows together.
Here’s a look at the ten main and recurring cast members of Vikings: Valhalla along with their role descriptions as reported by Deadline.
Sam Corlett (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) has been cast as Leif Eriksson, a Greenlander, raised on the outer fringes of the known world. He comes from a tightly-knit family steeped in the old pagan beliefs. An intrepid sailor and physically tough, Leif is our entry into a Viking world in the throes of violent change.
Frida Gustavsson (The Witcher) will portray Freydis Eriksdotter. Fiercely pagan, fiery and headstrong, Freydis is a staunch believer in the “old gods.” Like her brother, Leif, she reaches Kattegat as an outsider but becomes an inspiration to those of the old ways. If you recall, Frida was one of the cast members revealed earlier.
Leo Suter (The Liberator) will play Harald Sigurdsson. Born into Viking nobility, Harald is one of the last Viking berserkers. Charismatic, ambitious and handsome, he is able to unite both followers of Odin and Christians.
Bradley Freegard (Keeping Faith) plays King Canute, the King of Denmark. A wise, savvy and ruthless Viking leader. Keeps his friends close and enemies closer. His ambitions will mold the course of history in the 11th century and make him a defining figure of the Viking age.
Johannes Haukur Jóhannesson (Cursed) portrays Olaf Haraldson. Olaf is Harald’s older half-brother. He is physically huge and ambitious; he is a stern and unforgiving Viking. Olaf is an “Old Testament” Christian.
Laura Berlin (Breaking Even) plays Emma of Normandy. The young, ambitious Emma of Normandy is from the Norman court and of Viking blood. Politically astute, and one of the wealthiest women in Europe. She is most likely a descendant of Rollo from the original Vikings series.
David Oakes (The Borgias) is Earl Godwin. The ultimate survivor. Chief counsellor to the King of England. Born on the political fringes, his cunning ways get him far. David was another of several cast members revealed in the past few months.
Caroline Henderson (Christmas Star) will play Jarl Haakon. A great warrior and tolerant leader, Haakon rules Kattegat with a steady hand. Though Pagan, she has managed to keep Kattegat a city open to all faiths in a challenging time. She will become a powerful mentor to Freydis, who is drawn to her wisdom.
Pollyanna McIntosh (The Walking Dead) recurs as Queen Ælfgifu. Calculating and ambitious, Queen Ælfgifu of Denmark has a hand to play in the political power struggles unfolding in Northern Europe. She uses her charm and guile to great effect as she promotes the interests of her Mercian homeland and tries to assert herself in Canute’s growing power structure.
Asbjorn Krogh Nissen (Bron) is Jarl Kåre, who presents a threat to the old pagan ways.
Original Vikings creator Michael Hirst will serve as an executive producer alongside showrunner and lead writer Jeb Stuart (Die Hard, The Fugitive). No release date for Vikings: Valhalla has been officially announced.
(Images via Netflix and History Channel)