The hit History channel show Vikings has captured audiences across the globe with its warts ‘n’ all depiction of the brutality of the Norse warriors ever since it premiered in 2013.
With the show now nearing the end of its mid-season break, we’ve dug into everything we know so far about the return of the fifth season of the Michael Hirst-created drama.
When will Vikings season five return?
Vikings will returns to screens in the US on November 28. The air date was confirmed at the show’s Comic-Con panel in San Diego in the summer.
In the UK, Vikings can be streamed on Amazon Prime – and it’s likely that the mid-season premiere will be available to watch on the platform the following day, November 29.
How many episodes will there be?
This second part of the season will have 10 episodes, which will kick off with ‘The Revelation’ on November 28.
History has already commissioned season six of Vikings, which will air next year. This will see cast regular Katheryn Winnick (Lagertha) make her directorial debut on one of the episodes of the commissioned 20-episode block.
Have there been any new trailers for part two of season five?
Oh yes, plenty – a whole raft of teaser trailers have just been released (November 5) for the second part of season five. Check them all out below.
What’s going to happen in the remainder of season five?
After the finale which left us on a cliffhanger that saw Rollo (Clive Standen) return back to Kattegat, Standen has given fans an answer to why Rollo may have travelled home. When asked about Rollo’s return, Standen said “he’s now a ruler of his own country in Normandy and he has his own people to think of and to put first.” He also added that Rollo still has some unfinished family business.
As show creator Michael Hirst confirmed to Entertainment Tonight, “he’s come back to deal with things which were never dealt with in the past. And we’re going back to season one here, where there were huge questions about his relationship, and Ragnar’s relationship with Lagertha, and what had actually happened between them all – and frankly, whose son Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) was. So Rollo is sailing back to deal with things that have been on his mind for a long time, and it’s pretty powerful stuff, I must say.” A more mellow side to Rollo?
Meanwhile, Lagertha remains hopeful that she will be able to gain a rightful spot as queen again after being defeated by Ivar. The trailer gives us an insight into life in Kattegat under Ivar’s reign.
Ivar, dressed in a gown and face painted, yells: “People of Kattegat, I am Ivar the Boneless. All hail your new king!”
After losing Kattegera in the bloody battle to Ivar, Lagertha, Ubbe and Bjorn escape the Heathen Army, who are seen going after the group. They find refuge with King Alfred.
Brothers Ivar and Bjorn are also seen going to deadly battle, as Bjorn returns to reclaim Kattegat from his brother.
Will the whole cast be back?
Fans are speculating that Lagertha (Kathery Winnick) may be leaving the show as she has landed a new Netflix role in a drama called Wu Assassins.
Winnick said at the Comic-Con panel: “The very last shot of Lagertha, she is completely in shellshock – so much that her hair actually turned grey.” Adding to more speculation, in the trailer Lagertha is seen collapsing to the floor.
Will there be any new characters?
While it is still unclear whether or not any more new characters will be heading for Vikings, one addition has been confirmed by Entertainment Weekly, Russian actor Danila Kozlovsky.
Kozlovsky will be playing the role of Oleg the Prophet, a 10th century Viking prince who has sailed the rivers of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. This role will be familiar to Kozlovsky as he has starred in Russian film, Vikings, playing the lead role of Vladimir the Great.
When will season six arrive?
There’s no official broadcast date for season six at present. If it follows the same timing as season five, it will likely air in November 2019. However, seasons two, three and four all aired in February in their respective years, so there’s a small chance it could be on screens in February 2019.
What will happen in season six?
That will largely rely on what happens in the second half of season five. However, Hirst has teased that season six will “deliver a huge and unexpected revelation to our audience.” What could it be?
History Channel exec Eli Lehrer has also suggested fans can expect more adventure. “Vikings has evolved from early raids in England to the heart-stopping death of Ragnar Lothbrok, to the fierce battles of the Great Heathen Army, and now we’ll see the sons of Ragnar exploring and conquering the known world,” he said.