During Saturday’s Tudum event, Netflix revealed the first footage from Vikings: Valhalla, their upcoming sequel series to Vikings, which ran from 2013 to 2020. Vikings, however, was made by the History Channel while Valhalla is a Netflix production, meaning it can be even bloodier and more adult than its predecessor was allowed to be on American basic cable television.
Cast members Sam Corlett, Frida Gustavsoon, and Leo Suter presented the sneak peek at the series, which is set roughly 100 years after the events depicted in Vikings. Like its predecessor, Vikings: Valhalla will weave in fictional characters with actual historical figures, including some of the most famous Vikings who ever lived.
The Vikings have returned. They will take no prisoners.
Here's your first look at the highly anticipated Vikings: Valhalla #TUDUM pic.twitter.com/cemmyWSnZR
— Netflix Geeked is watching #Tudum (@NetflixGeeked) September 25, 2021
Netflix’s series will explore the legacy of the original series’ characters by making their descendants the protagonists.
Let’s break down then who’s who in Vikings: Valhalla, from the historical to the fictional. (Editor's note: Names are spelled according to Netflix's official character descriptions.)
Spoilers ahead for the original Vikings series as well as, um, history!
Leif Eriksson
One major real-life Viking depicted in Valhalla is Leif Eriksson. He’s portrayed by Sam Corlett, the Aussie actor who portrayed Caliban on Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. The series’ official description of Leif calls him a Greenlander raised in the old pagan beliefs on the outer fringes of the known world. A sailor and explorer, Leif Eriksson will be the series’ “entry” into the Viking world as it undergoes violent changes.
The historical Leif Eriksson founded the North American settlement of Vinland hundreds of years before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. The real Leif was the son of Erik the Red, a figure who Vikings fans suspected was the same Erik portrayed in Vikings Season 6. However, the math on that doesn’t work out as Valhalla is set a century after that show. While there are certainly similarities between the Erik of Vikings Season 6 and Erik the Red, his fate on the show and the timeframe of Valhalla make it virtually impossible for him to be THE Erik the Red.
One other difference between the real Leif Eriksson and the character in Valhalla is their birthplace. The real Leif’s birthplace is not definitively known while the show has him growing up in the Norse settlement of Greenland, which is considered to have been founded by Erik the Red. Vikings Season 6, however, depicted the founding of Greenland by Ragnar’s son Ubbe and his settlers. We’ll have to see how or even if Vikings: Valhalla addresses this discrepancy.
Considering Leif Eriksson is believed to have died circa 1020 AD, it stands to reason that the character won’t appear throughout the entire run of the series for chronological reasons that will become clear.
Freydis Eriksdotter
The sister of Leif Eriksson and, historically, the daughter of explorer Erik the Red, Freydis is officially described as “a staunch believer in the ‘old gods’.” The show’s plot description says she first comes to Kattegat as an outsider but “becomes an inspiration to those of the old ways.” She’s played by Swedish actress Frida Gustavsson.
The historical Freydis appears in the Vinland sagas that chronicle her father’s exploits: the Greenland saga and the Saga of Erik the Red. In the Saga of the Greenlanders, Freydis is portrayed as being so treacherous and murderous that her descendants were tarnished by her bloody actions. She’s depicted more favorably in the Saga of Erik the Red as a fearless warrior who fought off a bunch of Vinland natives all by herself — and while eight months pregnant at that.
Like the aforementioned Erik, there was also a character named Freydis who appeared on History Channel’s Vikings, but the character appears to be similar in name only to the historical Freydis who will appear on Valhalla.
Harald Sigurdsson
Known to history as Harald Hardrada, the series’ official description of Harald Sigurdsson calls him “one of the last Viking berserkers.” Hailing from Viking nobility, Harald is described as a charismatic, ambitious, and handsome leader who unites both followers of Odin and Christians. He’s played by Sanditon actor Leo Suter.
The historical Harald was an exiled mercenary, military commander in the Kievan Rus, and a leader of the Byzantine Varangian Guard in the years preceding his rule as King of Norway. He spent years unsuccessfully pursuing the Danish throne before invading England.
While he initially enjoyed success in that campaign, Harald ultimately perished at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, where he was defeated by the English army led by King Harold Godwinson. Harald’s death is often pointed to by historians as the end of the Viking Age.
King Canute
The King of Denmark, the show calls Canute “a wise, savvy, and ruthless Viking leader” whose ambitions “will mold the course of history in the 11th century and make him a defining figure of the Viking age.” He’s played by Keeping Faith actor Bradley Freegard.
The historical Canute conquered England, becoming its king in 1017. His reign would last nearly two decades and history remembers him as a generally wise and successful monarch. In addition to Denmark and England, Canute was also king of Norway and part of Sweden. He died in 1035.
Olaf “The Holy” Haraldson
Harald Sigurdsson’s older half-brother, Olaf is described by the show as “physically huge and ambitious … a stern and unforgiving Viking … [and] an ‘Old Testament’ Christian.” He’s portrayed by Jóhannes Jóhannesson (Bloodshot, Atomic Blonde).
The historical Olaf is best known as Saint Olaf, the patron saint of Norway … but don’t let that fool you. Olaf was known for his brutality in enforcing the Christian faith although the extent of his reputation for bringing Catholicism to Norway is disputed now by historians. Olaf was slain at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1040 and posthumously canonized. His deeds are chronicled by Icelandic sagas and hagiographic sources.
The most notable aspect of Olaf for Vikings fans is that he’s the great-great-grandson of the Norwegian king Harald Fairhair, who was portrayed in the original Vikings series by Peter Franzén.
Emma of Normandy
German model-actress Laura Berlin (Ruby Red) portrays this historical figure who is officially described by the show as being young, ambitious, politically astute, and “one of the wealthiest women in Europe.” Emma hails from the Norman court and is of Viking descent.
The real Emma of Normandy was married to both Æthelred the Unready and Cnut (the aforementioned Canute), through which she became Queen of England, Denmark and Norway. She’s deemed one of the most important of the early Medieval English queens, with her story documented in The Encomium Emmæ Reginae. Emma’s political influence is said to have expanded during her marriage to Canute and she is believed to have also wielded much power during the reigns of her sons, Edward the Confessor and Harthacnut.
Earl Godwin
Vikings: Valhalla bills Earl Godwin, chief counselor to Canute, King of England, as the “ultimate survivor” whose “cunning ways get him far” from the political fringes he hails from. He’s played by David Oakes (The Borgias, The Pillars of the Earth).
This character is based on Godwin of Wessex whose political fortunes rose quickly thanks to Canute (or Cnut), who made Godwin the first Earl of Wessex. He’s also the father of King Harold II, aka Harold Godwinson, who died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Earl Godwin died suddenly in 1053.
Jarl Haakon
Portrayed by Danish-Swedish actress-singer Caroline Henderson, Jarl Haakon is the ruler of Kattegat, one of the key settings in the original Vikings and which served as the seat of power for Ragnar Lothbrok and his family.
Netflix’s official description of the character calls her a “great warrior and tolerant leader” who “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.”
There’s speculation Jarl Haakon may be inspired by the historical figure Haakon Ericsson, who was Earl of Lade and governor of Norway.
Queen Ælfgifu
The first wife of Æthelred the Unready, King of the English, Netflix describes Ælfgifu as a calculating and ambitious political player who “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.” She’s portrayed by Pollyanna Mcintosh from The Walking Dead.
The historical Queen Ælfgifu of Denmark was the mother of Edmund Ironside, King of England, and Æthelstan Ætheling among others. She’s believed to have died in 1002 AD.
Jarl Kåre
Jarl Kåre, played by Asbjørn Krogh Nissen, is vaguely described by Netflix as a character who “presents a threat to the old pagan ways.” As of now, there’s no evidence that Kåre is based on any particular historical figure from Viking history.
William the Conqueror
Although not part of Netflix’s official casting announcement for Vikings, this famous Viking who led the Norman conquest of England, culminating in his history at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, has been officially announced as being one of the characters of the show.
It should be noted that William the Conqueror is a direct descendant of Rollo, Ragnar’s brother on the original Vikings (played by Clive Standen). Considering William the Conqueror is the one who definitively vanquished the Anglo-Saxons, established the Norman rule, and their lasting impact on the evolution of England, it would stand to reason William the Conqueror probably won’t appear on Vikings: Valhalla until it’s close to the end of its run.
For more on Vikings: Valhalla, discover why it will be on Netflix instead of History Channel, what was revealed at Comic-Con, and get the lowdown on the Vikings: Valhalla cast.