Plot Synopsis

This scripted drama series chronicles the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok, an actual historical figure, and his band of Viking brothers and his family, as he searches for ways to break through barriers while discovering new worlds to conquer. Ragnar is a young farmer and family man, but he's also a fearless warrior deeply frustrated by the unadventurous policies of his local chieftain, Earl Haraldson, who continues to send his Viking raiders east every summer to the Baltic states and Russia, whose populations are as materially poor as themselves. Plus, legend has it that Ragnar is a direct descendent of Odin, the god of war and warriors, and because of his proud ancestry and frustration with Haraldson, he seeks civilizations across the great ocean to the west by building a new generation of boats that are faster, sleeker and more beautifully crafted than anything else on the sea. Along the way, Ragnar will engage the inevitable conflicts that arise, as he continues the Norsemen tradition of raiding, trading and exploring, with the help of others: his jester friend Floki, who helped him build the fleet of boats; Lagertha, a fierce shield maiden and his wife; his children, Bjorn and Gyda; Athelstan, a young, innocent Christian monk captured by Ragnar on his first raid on England; and Rollo, his impulsive, wild, care-free brother. In the Season 1 finale, which aired Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 10pm ET/PT, Ragnar, acting on behalf of King Horic, assembled a small party to travel to Gotaland to resolve a land dispute; meanwhile, a plague took a toll on the village of Kattegat and another woman walked into Ragnar's life.

VIKINGS returned for its 10-episode second season on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 10pm ET/PT on History. Ragnar, now an Earl in Season 2, is allied with King Horrik, and with more power than ever before, his desire to sail west and explore new kingdoms remains unquenchable. Yet there's a heavy price to pay for Ragnar's ascent to greatness. Brothers rise up against one another. Loyalties shift from friend to foe, and unlikely alliances are formed in the name of supremacy. Ragnar's indiscretions threaten his marriage to Lagertha, tearing him and his beloved son apart. In the second season finale, Ragnar and King Horik return to Kattegat and the final showdown between two Viking leaders is at hand; meanwhile, Ragnar has placed his trust in those who have stood by him and now the time has come for new alliances to be made.

The 10-episode third season of VIKINGS premiered on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 10pm ET/PT on History, with Ragnar as King and the new season following the great responsibility that now rests on the shoulders of the former farmer. With the promise of new land from the English, Ragnar leads his people to an uncertain fate on the shores of Wessex. King Ecbert has made many promises and it remains to be seen if he will keep them. But ever the restless wanderer, Ragnar is searching for something more -- and he finds it in the mythical city of Paris. Rumored to be impenetrable to outside forces, Ragnar and his band of Norsemen must come together to break down its walls and cement the Vikings legend in history. Plus, the family saga of Ragnar, Rollo, Lagertha and Bjorn continues as alliances and loyal friendships are questioned, faith is catechized and relationships are strained.

VIKINGS returned for its 20-episode fourth season on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT on History, immediately following an all-day marathon (7am-10pm) of encore episodes from the second and third seasons. Season 3 culminated with the extraordinary battle in Paris, where Ragnar seized victory from the jaws of defeat -- but still returns to Kattegat dangerously ill. Thoughts of his death galvanize the forces who seek to succeed him as king, including his wife Queen Aslaug and his oldest son, Bjorn. Meanwhile, Lagertha continues power struggles with her calculating, former second in command, Kalf; Rollo betrays his Vikings heritage by remaining in Frankia and Floki is seized for his brutal actions to the Christian priest Athelstan. Joining the cast in Season 4 are Peter Franzen as King Harald Finehair, a complex character who seeks to be King of Norway and a potential threat to Ragnar; Jasper Paakkonen as Halfdan The Black, King Harold's violent younger brother; and Dianne Doan as Yidu, a completely different character within the world of the Vikings who fascinates Ragnar. VIKINGS, filled with calamity, revenge and death, returned for the second half of its fourth season on Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT on History, immediately following "The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok," a new one-hour special (8-9pm) that recaps the previous 3.5 seasons. Earlier this season, after being defeated in a monumental battle in Paris against his brother Rollo, Ragnar disappeared following his humiliating loss. VIKINGS then took an enormous leap forward during the midseason finale, time-jumping to a new era in its characters' lives. In the midseason premiere, Ragnar's reappearance in Kattegat triggers a chain of events no one -- except the Seer -- could have ever imagined. He unexpectedly arrives home to see what has become of his sons and to handle unfinished business in Wessex with King Ecbert. Meanwhile, Lagertha plans a power play in Kattegat and Bjorn prepares to fulfill his long-held dream to explore the Mediterranean in a sleek new boat built for him by Floki. "This season is monumental and unlike anything we've ever done," said Michael Hirst, creator and writer. "We've propelled VIKINGS to the topmost level of historical drama as we follow storylines inspired by real life events such as Bjorn Ironside sailing through the Mediterranean and Ivar the Boneless becoming the most feared warrior of all time. It's not a story of one man, but a saga of Ragnar and his sons."

The 20-episode fifth season aired in two parts, beginning with a two-hour premiere on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 from 9-11pm ET/PT followed by eight episodes airing every Wednesday at 9pm. The new season begins with Ivar the Boneless asserting his leadership over the Great Heathen Army, while Lagertha reigns as Queen of Kattegat. Ivar's murder of his brother Sigurd sets the stage for vicious battles to come as Ragnar's sons plot their next moves after avenging their father's death. Bjorn follows his destiny into the Mediterranean Sea and Floki who is suffering from the loss of his wife Helga, takes to the seas submitting himself to the will of the Gods. This season is full of startling alliances and unbelievable betrayals as the Vikings fight to rule the world. Jonathan Rhys Meyers joins the cast in Season 5 as Bishop Heahmund along with series regulars Katheryn Winnick, Gustaf Skarsgard, Alexander Ludwig and Alex Hogh Andersen. Season 5 premiere night opens at 8pm with a one-hour recap special, "The Saga of Lagertha," during which Ivar the Boneless summons the Seer to tell him about his greatest enemy, Lagertha. The Seer takes viewers through Lagertha's epic story in the previous four seasons, telling everything there is to know about the formidable warrior, fearless leader, and legendary shieldmaiden. Then, in the two-hour season opener (9-11pm), "The Departed," tensions mount between the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok as the Vikings continue to threaten the very heart of England. As the Great Army moves to take York, with King Aethelwulf and his family still in hiding, Heahmund, the warrior bishop, must rally the Saxons to defend the Realm. Then, as the Vikings establish their stronghold in York, Ivar is determined to lead the Great Army. In Kattegat, Lagertha misjudges King Harald and pays a heavy price. Floki arrives at a mysterious land. On Wednesday, Novembrer 28, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT, History debuted the Season 5 mid-season premiere of VIKINGS, immediately following a brand-new special at 8pm. In the mid-season five finale, the divide between the Lothbrok family climaxes with Ragnar's sons battling each other to rule the world. The long-awaited faceoff ends with a strategic victory going to Ivar the Boneless who vows vengeance on his betrayers with a direct target on Lagertha's back. Last seen in an unstable state and losing her appearance as a fierce Viking warrior, Lagertha is hopeful she will regain her spot in Kattegat as its rightful leader. Now, the rest of Season 5 opens with the arrival of a legendary Viking, the famous Duke Rollo, who causes further upheaval in a Kattegat still reeling from Ivar the Boneless becoming its King. As Bjorn and Lagertha flee Ivar's murderous forces with Bishop Heahmund, Ivar's tyrannical reign over Scandinavia ushers in a new Dark Age, the likes of which have never been seen. Ultimately, Ivar's reign will not go unchallenged by the sons of Ragnar and old enemies will become allies to defeat the despot who has declared himself a God on earth. Meanwhile in Iceland, Floki battles the elements, and his own settlers' desire for revenge, to forge a Viking colony on the beautiful and desolate landscape.

The first half of VIKINGS' sixth and final season premiered on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 from 9-11pm ET/PT on History Channel, immediately following a new one-hour special at 8pm. Following the two-episode season premiere, History Channel debuts a new episode every Wednesday at 10pm for eight weeks. The remaining 10 episodes debuted in December 2020. Previously, Ivar the Boneless, a self-proclaimed God ruling over Kattegat with alarming terror, charged his army into battle against his enemy and brother Bjorn Ironside. Unleashing a fiery guerilla warfare, the two brothers refused to surrender -- blood, pride and the crown weighed too heavily on both of their shoulders. In the final moments of Season 5, Ivar was forced to flee an imminent fate, disappearing into the darkness and securing Bjorn's victory. Lagertha, reborn after experiencing severe delusions from the major love she's lost, emerged to crown Bjorn as the new rightful king. Season 6 returns following the battle between brothers which has left Bjorn victorious and a hero to the people who have been under the tyrannical rule of Ivar for so long. As the new leader of Kattegat, Bjorn struggles to fill his late father's shoes as king, while facing several dilemmas and wrestling with the idea that power overshadows morals. Meanwhile, Ivar, searching for a new path to separate him from his past, is seen traveling along The Silk Road eventually leading him to Russia. He meets his match in Prince Oleg, a ruthless and unpredictable Russian ruler, who shocks even Ivar with his merciless actions. While Lagertha has her own agenda - to live a quieter and less public life on her own farm, but new dangers lurk close to home. This season, the Vikings continue to take over Scandinavia as Ubbe and Torvi travel to Iceland to uncover the mystery circling around Floki's disappearance and Hvitserk pursues his personal vendetta against Ivar.

Moving to Amazon Prime, VIKINGS returned with its final 10 episodes on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. The first half of Season 6 featured Lagertha's death and concluded with an epic battle between the Rus and Vikings, where brother fought brother: Bjorn Ironside fighting for his homeland alongside King Harald against Ivar the Boneless now fighting with the Rus forces in an attempt to gain control of Norway. The battle ends in tragedy with Bjorn left for dead on the battlefield, betrayed by Ivar and with the future of their ancestral home, Kattegat, at stake. Now, the tumultuous conflict between the Rus and Vikings comes to a conclusion with grave consequences. While in Iceland, Ubbe is determined to fulfill his father Ragnar's dream and sail further west than any Viking has traveled before. And there is unfinished business in England. The Vikings have established settlements there, and over-run most of the country -- except for Wessex. The King of Wessex, Alfred the Great, is the only Saxon ruler to seriously challenge their complete domination. Ivar the Boneless must again face, in battle, the King he only knew as a boy for a final reckoning. Season 6, Part 2 opens in Iceland, with Ubbe learning the truth about Kjetill and having a difficult decision to make. Back in Norway, the battle against the Rus has had grave consequences. But re-enforcements have arrived, and Bjorn has an idea that may yet save the day.
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On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment released VIKINGS Season 6, Volume 2 on DVD and Blu-ray with the finale 10 episodes of exciting final season on a three-disc set. Also included all-new special features to explore along with extended international versions of the episodes. In season six Ubbe and Torvi travel to Iceland to uncover the mystery circling Floki's disappearance and Hvitserk pursues his personal vendetta against Ivar. The saga continues the exploits of chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok and his crew while exploring Bjorn's reign over Kattegat, Ivar's adventures in Rus and Wessex, and Ubbe's expeditions to Iceland and North America. This is a must own for VIKINGS fans. Running Time: 458 min. Buy and binge now. (Click the red "Buy DVDs" button on this page.)

BLU-RAY & DVD FEATURES
- New and Exclusive Bonus Content: The Epic Worlds of Vikings
- New and Exclusive Bonus Content: The Vikings Series Finale: Audio Commentary with Creator Michael Hirst and Series Star Georgia Hirst
- Deleted Scenes