The History Channel announced today that it will air a spin-off of its popular series Vikings in the summer of 2016, to be called Valhalla. In the midseason finale of Season 4, Ragnar returns to Kattegat after years of absence. Along the way, viewers will meet four new actors playing characters we all know very well.
The midseason finale of season 4 “Vikings” had an interesting innovation and surprise in store. Years after defeat in Paris, Ragnar Lothbrok returns to his native Kattegat. A lot has changed there in his absence. The viewers also become aware of this when four young men suddenly appear in front of Ragnar who we have not seen before. At least not like that. After the time jump, we meet Ragnar's four sons, Hvitserk (Marco Islø), Ivar (Alex Høgh Andersen), Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith) and Sigurd (David Lindstron), who are no longer children. No longer clinging to Aslaug's tails, they have become sword-in-hand young men who have not seen their father for years and hardly know them. With Ragnar's five sons - Björn (Alexander Ludwig) must not be forgotten at this point - the future of "Vikings" is definitely secured, even after Ragnar's death, which has already been announced several times.
With the new cast of the sons, a fresh breeze comes into the series after the time jump. Because each of Ragnar's sons has a different personality. The physically disabled Ivar in particular could quickly become a fan favourite. Ivar is different from his other brothers, he understands Ragnar but doesn't respect him like the other brothers. He makes fun of him. He's a bit like how Ragnar is to everyone else. But we still have to be patient until we get to see more of the four new actors and thus Ragnar's adult sons. After the midseason finale, the series goes on hiatus. It is currently not certain when the remaining 10 episodes of the 4th season "Vikings" will be broadcast on US television.
As mentioned, «Vikings» gets a spinoff with «Valhalla», in which we should have the opportunity to meet beloved and long-lost characters again in a credible way, according to the creator Michael Hirst. Not much is known about the cast, but George Blagden has already signed on as Athelstan, wrongly sent to Valhalla instead of Heaven. His journey will reflect his choices on earth to find out whether he wants to stay or be united with his true God. Kevin Durand will play Odin/Harbard, while Jessalyn Gilsig will reprise the role of Siggy, who earned a place there after heroically rescuing Ragnar Lothbrok's children. And Jefferson Halle will play Torstein, who definitely has a place in Valhalla as he bravely faced the soldiers.
Whether Gabriel Byrne will return as Earl Haraldson or Thorbjorn Harr as Jarl Borg is still in the stars. We remember, however, that Jarl Borg died of the blood eagle without screaming and thus showed that he was worthy of the great hall. The cast is definitely not yet definitely set and so Hirst is allegedly toying with Christina Hendricks in the role of Freya - and hold on tight to Chris Hemsworth for the role of Thor and Tom Hiddleston as Loki, but their Avengers engagements will likely prevent that To be able to take on roles. But who knows? Wouldn't be awesome, wouldn't it? And who else would you like to see again?