‘Vikings’, the Irish co-production which marks The History Channel’s first ever scripted series, will premier on Sunday, March 3, it has been announced.
The nine-part series, which is a World 2000 and Take 5 Productions co-production, shot on location in Ballyhenry Studios in Ashford in Wicklow this year.
Irish actor Gabriel Byrne stars as Viking chieftain Earl Haraldson in the series which tells the story of the Dark Age raiders through the eyes of Viking society itself. Although described as a “family saga at heart”, the series is expected to bring conflict, warfare and plenty of bloodshed to our screens in 2013.
The show will chart the ambitions of young Viking, Ragnar Lothbrok, played by Australian actor Travis Fimmel, who longs to discover civilisations across the ocean. With the help of his jester friend Floki, played by Gustaf Skarsgard (The Way Back), they build a new generation of boats; that are faster, sleeker and more beautifully crafted than anything else on the sea.
The series has been written by ‘Camelot’ and ‘The Tudors’ creator Michael Hirst. It also stars ‘Bones’ actress Katheryn Winnick, who plays Lothbrok’s wife Lagertha; ‘Glee’ star Jessalyn Gilsig, who plays Haraldson’s wife Siggy, George Blagden (Les Misérables) as Athelstan, and Clive Standen (Robin Hood) as Rollo, Lothbrok’s brother.
Hirst also serves as executive producer on the series, along with Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000, James Flynn of Octagon, John Weber of Take 5, Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, and Sheila Hockin. Dirk Hoogstra and Julian P. Hobbs are the executives in charge of production for The History Channel.
The History Channel will broadcast in Ireland, the UK and the US. MGM Television will bring ‘Vikings’ to a global audience, serving as the international distributor outside of Ireland, Canada and the US. ‘Vikings’ is produced in association with Shaw Media.
Ireland will receive the first episode on Sunday, March 3 at 10pm.