Meet the cast of Vikings: Valhalla on Netflix
The spin-off features several legendary Vikings – find out who's playing them.
After debuting on Netflix last year, Vikings: Valhalla – the sequel series to hit drama Vikings – is returning for its second run this week.
Once again telling a fictionalised story based on true events, the new season picks up shortly after the tragic fall of Kattegat, an event which "shattered the dreams and altered the destinies" of lead trio Leif Eriksson, Freydis Eriksdotter and Harald Sigurdsson.
Now fugitives in Scandinavia, the season will see their courage tested to the limit as they find themselves in very unfamiliar circumstances.
The series brings back most of the impressive international cast from the first run (which includes Australians, Scandinavians, and Brits), with Sam Corlett, Frida Gustavsson, and Leo Suter all back in the lead roles.
And there are also a number of new fascinating characters packing out the large ensemble cast, with Merlin star Bradley James among several newcomers joining for the second outing.
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What's more, a popular character from the original Vikings series has now also joined the cast, with John Kavanagh reprising his role as the Seer – even though he was killed off in the events of Vikings.
If you’re wondering how each character played a part in real history, RadioTimes.com has put together a handy cast and character guide below.
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Vikings Valhalla cast
Sam Corlett plays Leif Eriksson
Who is Leif Eriksson? A Greenlander raised on the outer fringes of the known world, Leif comes from a tightly-knit family steeped in pagan beliefs. An intrepid sailor and physically tough, Leif is thoughtful and often quiet, and in season 1 was new to the Viking world — which is in the throes of violent change.
What else has Sam Corlett been in? Prior to this role in Vikings: Valhallas, Corlett's most major part was as Caliban in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, while he also had a small role in the 2020 film The Dry.
Leo Suter plays Harald Hardrada
Who is Harald Hardrada? Born into Viking nobility, Harald is one of the last Viking berserkers and a Prince of Norway intent on becoming King of Norway. Charismatic, ambitious, and handsome, he is able to unite both Christian and pagan Vikings.
What else has Leo Suter been in? Suter will be a familiar face to fans of period dramas in the UK – he was part of the cast for Victoria, Beecham House, and Sanditon. He was also in the cast for the second season of the BBC Three thriller Clique and appeared in one episode of US series Intelligence.
Bradley Freegard plays King Canute
Who is King Canute? The King of Denmark, Canute is a wise, savvy, and ruthless Viking leader. He keeps his friends close and his enemies closer. Canute’s ambitions will mould the course of history in the 11th century and make him a defining figure of the Viking Age.
What else has Bradley Freegard been in? Freegard played Gethin Williams in EastEnders back in 2012, and more recently starred as Evan Howells in Keeping Faith. Other TV credits include Casualty, Doctors, Caerdydd, Gwaith/Cartref, Holby City, Y Gwyll/Hinterland, and Pobol y Cwm.
Frida Gustavsson plays Freydís Eiríksdóttir
Who is Freydis Eiríksdóttir? Fiery and headstrong, Freydis is a staunch believer in the old gods and a fierce pagan. Like her brother Leif, she reaches Kattegat as an outsider but becomes an inspiration to those of the old ways.
What else has Frida Gustavsson been in? Gustavsson has a very successful modelling career, while previous acting credits include playing Geralt's mother in The Witcher and starring in the German-Swedish series The Inspector and the Sea.
Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson plays Olaf "the Holy" Haraldsson
Who is Olaf Haraldsson? Olaf is Harald’s older half-brother and Prince of Norway, and first in line to become the next King of Norway. Ambitious, unforgiving, and a physical force to be reckoned with, Olaf is also an extremely devout Christian Viking.
What else has Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson been in? Jóhannesson has had minor roles in a number of films including Atomic Blonde, The Sisters Brothers and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, while previous TV credits include Origin, Cursed and The Letter for the King.
David Oakes plays Earl Godwin
Who is Earl Godwin? The ultimate survivor. Chief counsellor to the King of England, Godwin was born on the political fringes and is haunted by his late father’s mistakes. Cunning and savvy, he knows how to make powerful allies.
What else has David Oakes been in? Oakes has starred in a number of TV dramas – notably including The Borgias, The White Queen, and Victoria – starring as Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg, and Gotha in the latter. Film credits include Cold Skin and The Garden of Evening Mists.
Laura Berlin plays Emma of Normandy
Who is Emma of Normandy? The young, ambitious Emma of Normandy is from the Norman court in France, and of Viking blood. She is now married to King Aethelred II, the current King of England. Politically astute and one of the wealthiest women in Europe, Queen Emma is a sharp and capable leader.
What else has Laura Berlin been in? Berlin has appeared in a number of TV shows in her native Germany, including roles in Einstein, Blaumacher and Notruf Hafenkante. She also had a main role in the series Breaking Even.
Bradley James plays Lord Harekr
Who is Lord Harekr? A new character for season 2, not much information has been provided about Lord Harekr or how he will fit into the events of the show ahead of his debut.
What else has Bradley James been in? James is probably still best known for his role as Arthur Pendragon on BBC One's Merlin, while other roles have included Damien Thorn in Damien, Varga in Underworld: Blood Wars, Giuliano de' Medici in Medici: The Magnificent, and Brigadier Colonel Felix Sparks in The Liberator.
John Kavanagh plays the Seer
Who is the Seer? Fans of the original Vikings series will need no introduction to the Seer – a blind being who was known for providing mysterious predictions. Although he was murdered in the original series, he now returns as a spirit guide who appears to Freydís and Jarl Gorm.
What else has John Kavanagh been in? Kavanagh has appeared in films such as Cal, Braveheart, and Alexander in addition to playing the Seer in all six seasons of the original Vikings series between 2013 and 2020.
The season 2 cast also includes: Pollyanna McIntosh (The Walking Dead) as Queen Ælfgifu, Soren Pilmark (Atlantic Crossing) as Sweyn Forkbeard, Hayat Kamille (Death on the Nile) as Mariam, Marcin Dorocinski (The Queen's Gambit) as King Yaroslav the Wise, and Sofya Lebedeva (McMafia) as Elena.
Read more
- How accurate is Vikings: Valhalla? True story behind Netflix series
Vikings: Valhalla season 1 is available to stream on Netflix. Season 2 will release on January 12th 2023. Sign up for Netflix from £6.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
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