Vikings is Getting a Netflix Spin-off Series
Calling all Vikings fans. While the History Channel announced that season 6 will end the series, a new Netflix spin-off will take you back to the show's universe once again. Vikings: Valhalla, set to premiere on Netflix next year, will introduce new characters to the beloved Vikings universe and take the franchise in a different direction. Keep reading for everything we know so far about Vikings: Valhalla.
The new series is set 100 years after the Vikings finale.
Rather than following a character from the original series, Vikings: Valhalla will introduce a new group of characters, living at the tail end of the Viking era.
Many of the new characters will be based on real-life figures.
Given the large time jump, the Vikings team can introduce a new batch of historical figures in the Valhalla series. So far, we know that Valhalla will follow famed viking Leif Erikson, who was the first European to travel to North America. Erikson's sister, a viking warrior, and Harold Harada, a ninth century king of Norway, will also play major roles in the new series.
In addition, William the Conqueror, the first Norman king of England, will be a main character as well. The king (also known as William the Bastard) reigned from 1066 until his death in 1087. He was also a descendant of Rollo, a viking and the first ruler of Normandy, who played a major role on the History Channel show, up until its fourth season.
Vikings cast members are contemplating joining the new series.
Alexander Ludwig developed a large following through his portrayal of Bjorn Ironside on Vikings. While it would be chronologically impossible for Bjorn to reappear in the new series (unless it was as a flashback or vision), Ludwig has not ruled out the possibility of appearing in Valhalla.
"This might not be the end of my time with Bjorn," Ludwig told TV Guide. "I do think that there's a lot more story that can be told with this show if it was done the right way. There's just so much incredible history in the Vikings culture, so who knows?"
Katheryn Winnick, revered for her role as shieldmaiden Lagertha, may not appear on screen in Valhalla. However, Winnick told TV Guide that she has not ruled out the possibility of directing an episode.
"Of course I'd be open to any reason to go back to Ireland even if it's just [to spend] time with my co-workers, it's always a great one, and say hello to everybody because they are my family over there," Winnick said.
Members of the Vikings team will also be involved behind-the-scenes.
Michael Hirst, who created and wrote the entirety of Vikings, will also work on Valhalla. However, he will not be as involved as he was previously and will not write full episodes. Instead, the series will be written and executive produced by Jeb Stuart, of Die Hard fame.
Hirst has faith that Stuart will be able to maintain the integrity and spirit of the original show, stating he wanted Valhalla to have "the same values and virtues" as Vikings.
"[Vikings] does have poetry and it does have spiritual and it does have women characters who are just as great as male characters. And I know that Jeb intends that to continue," Hirst told TV Guide.
Valhalla is named after a Norse myth.
In Norse mythology, Valhalla is the name of a massive hall in the afterlife. Chosen by Odin, a Norse god, half of the people who die in combat travel to Valhalla upon death. There, deceased warriors join Germanic legends and kings to help Odin fight in battle.
The series won't premiere until 2021 at the earliest, but there will be 24 episodes.
Valhalla was supposed to begin production this year and premiere in 2021, but, with the coronavirus pandemic, shooting may have been delayed. It's uncertain when exactly the series will appear on Netflix.
However, fans will have a lot to look forward to, as Netflix already ordered 24 episodes of Vikings: Valhalla. While most of their shows only consist of 13 episodes, Netflix broke their pattern with this large Valhalla order. It's unclear whether the streamer will release all 24 at once, or break up the season into two parts with separate release dates.
You Might Also Like
