While Vikings may have come to an end after six seasons on History Channel, its saga lives on in the sequel series, Vikings: Valhalla, which will stream on Netflix. The streaming giant released the first official footage from the show, coming in 2022, during Netflix's Tudum event Saturday.
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, including Leif Erikson, Freydís Eiríksdóttir, Harald Hardrada. Netflix’s series will explore the legacy of the original series’ characters by making their descendants the protagonists. "These men and women will blaze new paths as they fight for survival in an ever-changing and evolving Europe," according to the official plot synopsis.
Watch the first footage from Netflix's Vikings: Valhalla via the embedded tweet below:
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
Jeb Stuart will serve as the showrunner of Valhalla, while Michael Hirst — who created, produced, and wrote every episode of Vikings — is only expected to serve as an executive producer on Valhalla alongside Stuart and Morgan O'Sullivan.
Hirst previously told IGN why Vikings: Valhalla is on Netflix instead of History, and revealed this series is, in spirit, about the legacy of Rollo (played on Vikings by Clive Standen) as William the Conqueror, the first Norman King of England, was a direct descendant of Rollo's and Normandy was formed by the Norsemen who followed Rollo.
Seeing as how the chronology of the lives of Leif Erickson and William the Conqueror don't necessarily overlap at the most pivotal events and moments of their lives, Hirst also told us at the time that he suspects creative license could be employed much like how he moved up certain events in Vikings — such as the siege of Paris — to suit the narrative needs of his show.
What do you think of this first look at Vikings: Valhalla? Let us know in the comments!