9 exciting and educational TV series about Vikings

Viking fiction series

1. Home to Midgord

Hem till Midgård

• 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 follows 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.

Viking showrunner Michael Hirst has 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 series "The Tudors».

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

3. The last kingdom

The last kingdom

• UK, 2015 - present.
• Historical drama, thriller.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.4.

Events take place 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 elder 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

Vikingane

• 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 combat scenes from "Severyans". Instead, the creators focused on humor and dialogue, hilariously playing on various historical cliches associated with the ancient Scandinavians. And the dressers and decorators did a very good job. In addition, there were some beautiful pictures of picturesque Norwegian landscapes.

5. Vinland saga

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 manga Japanese artist Makoto Yukimura, who very carefully studied the ancient life of the Vikings. 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 transposition of historical chronicles, it has much fewer blunders, than in the same "Vikings" from History Channel, and you can feel the respect for the culture of the ancients Scandinavians.

Documentary series about Vikings

1. Viking blood

BBC: Blood of the Vikings

• UK, 2001.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7.3.

The Vikings have forever left their mark on the history of England, 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

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 Normandy 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.

Share in the comments which of these series you have already watched. Do you think there should be more interesting shows about Vikings?