9 exciting and informative TV series about Vikings

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Semi-fantasy epic dramas, funny comedies and serious documentary research.

TV series about Vikings

1. Home to Midgord

• Sweden, 2003-2004.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

The action takes place in the village of Midgord, where people still firmly believe in the old Scandinavian gods. The formidable leader Snorre den Store, together with his gang of Vikings, sailed away to kill and plunder. Meanwhile, the settlement remains in the hands of his youngest son Lille Snorre, a loser and slob.

This series cannot be called intellectual entertainment. But if you want to watch an unassuming comedy, where there will be a lot of humor below the belt, clownery and just funny antics, “Home to Midgord” is quite suitable.

2. Vikings

Vikings

• Ireland, Canada, 2013-2020.
• Historical drama, thriller.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

The series from the History Channel tells the story of the life and adventures of the semi-legendary Scandinavian leader Ragnar Lothbrok, a direct descendant of Odin, the god of war. The hero and his companions go to England, establish settlements, and then discover France. As the plot develops, Ragnar from an ordinary Scandinavian becomes first a jarl, and then a king.

Vikings showrunner Michael Hirst excelled at producing spectacular costume dramas. He was one of the producers of the Borgia and wrote the scripts for the films Elizabeth and The Golden Age. Also on his account is the TV series "The Tudors".

The Vikings, in Hirst's view, turned out to be ruthless, but charming and rather noble warriors. At the same time, the real story is given a secondary place, and real personalities easily interact with characters that never existed in reality.

3. The last kingdom

• UK 2015 - present.
• Historical drama, thriller.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

The events unfold during the reign of King Alfred the Great. The story is told on behalf of the protagonist Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon aristocrat. The young man was raised by the Vikings, who killed his father and older brother. The young warrior will have to decide which side to take in the decisive battles for the fate of Britain.

The series is almost not inferior to the "Vikings" in terms of entertainment, and in terms of reliability it is even superior. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the action takes place in a later (and therefore better studied) historical period. In addition, the plot is based on a worthy literary source - "The Saxon Chronicles" by Bernard Cornwell.

4. Northerners

• Norway, 2016 - present.
• Black comedy.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

A squad of Vikings, fishing by sea raids, returns to their native village. There, the heroes are waiting for feasts, battles, everyday problems, family showdowns and an impending political crisis.

It is better not to expect large-scale battle scenes from "Severyans". Instead, the creators focused on humor and dialogue, funny play on various historical clichés associated with the ancient Scandinavians. And the costume designers did a very good job with the decorators. In addition, there were some beautiful shots of the picturesque Norwegian landscapes.

5. The Vinland saga

• Japan, 2019 - present.
• Anime, action, adventure.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

Bogatyr Torso decides to leave the Jomsvikings group (a professional fraternity specializing in robberies) in order to lead a quiet life with his family. However, the past still catches up with the hero: after seven years, Tors is found and killed by mercenaries. The surviving little son Thorfinn is forced to join the gang that killed his father.

This beautiful anime grew out of the manga of Japanese artist Makoto Yukimura, who studied the ancient life of the Vikings very carefully. He even traveled to Iceland for inspiration and landscape photography. Therefore, the world in which the heroes live turned out to be very reliable. And although "The Vinland Saga" was not announced as a transcription of historical chronicles, it has much fewer blunders than in the same "Vikings" from History Channel, and there is a sense of respect for the culture of the ancient Scandinavians.

Documentary series about Vikings

1. Viking blood

• UK, 2001.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

The Vikings have left their mark on the history of England forever, while not so much is known about the daring invaders themselves. Archaeologist Julian Richards is trying to figure out what really happened during those difficult times.

2. 1066

• UK, 2009.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 6, 4.

The three-part documentary series directed by Justin Hardy tells the tragic story of the capture of England by the Duke of Norman William, also known as William the Conqueror.

The creators especially succeeded in the images of ordinary people - Norwegians, Saxons and Normans, and the artistic techniques did not damage the historical accuracy.

3. Vikings

Vikings

• UK, 2012.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Writer Neil Oliver travels to Scandinavia to discover the mysterious world of the Vikings. There he discovers unique historical artifacts that help him understand who these northern sailors really were.

4. Real Vikings

• Canada, 2016.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

If a fantasy take on Ragnar Lothbrok's biography doesn't suit you, watch the four-episode Canadian documentary series. Here, invited experts help to understand how people actually lived in ancient Scandinavia.