New York – HISTORY has picked up a 10-episode third season of the hit drama series, Vikings. Created and written by Michael Hirst, the renewal comes just four episodes into Vikings’ second season. Six new episodes remain in the current season with the season finale in the U.S. slated for May 1.
Vikings season two has propelled HISTORY to #1 in cable in its Thursday 10-11pm time slot. The hit scripted series is off to a strong start in season two currently averaging 3.4 million total viewers, 1.7 million Adults 25-54 and 1.5 million Adults 18-49. In addition, after the first two episodes, Vikings gained a +51% lift in Live+7 vs. Live+Same Day averaging 5.1 million total viewers and +60% growth in Adults 25-54 (2.7 million) and Adults 18-49 (2.5 million).
Production on season three will begin this summer to air in 2015.
“Vikings has taken viewers by storm and has established itself as one of the most compelling, visually stunning dramas on television. With its large, passionate and loyal fan base, Vikings has cemented HISTORY firmly in the scripted series genre, just as we are the leaders in reality television,” said Dirk Hoogstra, EVP and General Manager, HISTORY & H2. “We are incredibly fortunate to have such an enormously talented cast and crew led by Michael Hirst whose intricately woven storylines vividly brings the unknown, epic world of these Norsemen to life. Season three promises to immerse viewers even deeper into the exploits of these fearless warriors who are willing to risk it all for conquest and power.”
MGM Television brought the series to the network and brings Vikings to global audiences, as the worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada.
“Vikings is an epic story brought alive by a talented creative team. We are delighted by the support Vikings receives from HISTORY and their audience, as well as from our partners and fans around the globe,” said Roma Khanna, President, Television Group and Digital, MGM.
Vikings centres on Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), a restless young warrior and family man who longs to find and conquer new lands across the sea and claim the spoils as his own. Now he is an Earl, with more power than ever before, his desire to sail west and explore new kingdoms remains unquenchable.
New to the cast of Vikings are Alexander Ludwig (The Hunger Games, Lone Survivor) as Bjorn, the intelligent and bold warrior son of Ragnar Lothbrok, and Linus Roache (Law & Order) as Ecbert, King of Wessex, a man of strength, knowledge and undisguised ambition. They join Travis Fimmel as Ragnar Lothbrok; Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha, a fierce shield maiden and Ragnar’s wife; Clive Standen as Rollo, Ragnar’s impulsive, wild, care-free brother; George Blagden as Athelstan, a young and not-so-innocent Monk; Jessalyn Gilsig as Siggy, beautiful wife of the late Earl Haraldson; Donal Logue as King Horik, who desires to make the increasingly famous Earl Ragnar an ally and supporter; Gustaf Skarsgard, a ship builder who designs the new generation of Vikings ships; and Alyssa Sutherland as Princess Aslaug, Ragnar’s new love interest.
Created and written by Michael Hirst – one of the premier historical story-tellers in the industry (Academy-Award winning film Elizabeth; and the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated series The Tudors), Hirst serves as Executive Producer along with Morgan O’Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo; The Tudors), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (The Tudors; The Borgias), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer, James Flynn (The Tudors; The Borgias) and Sheila Hockin (The Tudors; The Borgias). Dirk Hoogstra and Julian P. Hobbs are the Executives in Charge of Production for HISTORY.
Vikings is an international Irish/Canadian co-production being co-produced by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. HISTORY broadcasts domestically in the U.S. Vikings is produced in association with Shaw Media, and the series also airs on HISTORY in Canada.
