6 August 2018
6 of your favourite Vikings characters based on actual Vikings (probably)
As Season 5 of the addictive historical drama Vikings has just premiered on Showmax, you’ll be reintroduced to some of the most eccentric, charming, sexy, and brutally ambitious Norse folk to grace the small screen. Most of the series’ main characters are based on actual Scandinavian leaders and legends. Here are six fan favourites.
Ragnar
The show’s main character for the past four seasons (all available on Showmax) is based on possibly the most legendary Viking ruler ever: Ragnar Lothbrok. He terrorised the peoples of Anglo-Saxon England and continental Europe, leading the pagan hordes deep into foreign lands and giving the Vikings their reputation for fearsome, ruthless raiding parties. Historians disagree over whether Ragnar actually existed or if he was an amalgamation of various Viking heroes of the era. Strangely, historians are certain all of Ragnar’s sons were real people.
Floki
Floki was introduced in Season 1 as a quirky, mischievous, and highly intelligent Norwegian warrior who used his ship building skills to send Ragnar Lothbrok and his armies to new lands. He is imbued with the trickster spirit of the Norse God Loki and is loosely based on Flóki Vilgerðarson, the first Norseman to deliberately sail to Iceland. During the voyage, Flóki sent ravens to find land and gauge the distance to shore; a skill which earned him the nickname Raven-Floki or Hrafna-Floki. In Season 5, Floki’s story begins to follow that of the historical Flóki more closely.
Lagertha
You won’t find a more formidable female in Vikings than Lagertha, the legendary shieldmaiden who fought skilfully on the battlefield alongside Ragnar. In the show, she becomes Earl of Hedeby and then seizes Kattegat to become Queen. The Lagertha of lore was probably a mortal representation of Norse goddess, Thorgerd. This explains why some of the more sensational aspects of the heroine, like her ability to fly, were excluded from the show. But this doesn’t stop her from kicking absurd amounts of ass.
Aslaug
According to legend, Aslaug was Ragnar’s alluring second wife and bore him five sons, one of whom, Ivar, suffered a terrible curse because Ragnar refused to wait three nights before consummating their marriage. The myth of their meeting includes a test of intelligence put to Aslaug by Ragnar. He requested that Aslaug come to him neither dressed nor naked, neither hungry nor full, and neither alone nor in company. In response, she appeared draped in a net, eating an onion (replaced by a much sexier apple in the series) and accompanied by a dog.
Ivar the Boneless
In many ways season 5 of Vikings belongs to Ragnar and Aslaug’s eldest son, Ivar, played with Ragnar-esque charm by Alex Høgh Andersen. Historians believe the nickname most likely referred to his being afflicted with brittle bone disease; a more likely explanation than a curse from the gods. Despite this very un-Viking condition, Ivar refused to be overshadowed by his able-bodied brothers and became a master tactician, leading the Great Heathen Army into England and conquering great cities like York and perhaps even London.
Rollo
Fiercely loyal at first, Ragnar’s brother Rollo begins to envy and loathe Ragnar as the series progresses, eventually defecting to the Franks during Season 4. In history, Rollo may be the most significant Viking to inspire a character in the show. The real Rollo became the Duke of Normandy in exchange for protecting the Frankish Empire from subsequent Viking raids. His son, William Longsword, later conquered England in the Norman Invasion of 1066. His descendants went on to conquer Sicily and Antioch in modern-day Turkey.
Original African stories by local talent
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Stream from 9 May, with new episodes weekly.
Big Girl Small World
Stream the new Kenyan romcom series Big Girl Small World from 8 May, with new episodes every week.
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. All episodes now streaming.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
The Roast of Minnie Dlamini: The roast everyone's been waiting on
Empini, coming soon
More Mzansi gold
What to watch on Showmax in May 2024
Stream Barbie and Oppenheimer in South Africa now, only on Showmax. Plus a ton more great stuff coming in May.
The Mommy Club Season 2 Episode 11 recap: Cutting through
In episode 11 of The Mommy Club S2, Hermajesty hosts a ‘Healing with Hermajesty’ night picnic that turns sour. New episodes every Monday.
“This type of story has never been told in Afrikaans.” Koek director
SAFTA and Silwerskerm-winning director and cinematographer Johannes Pieter Nel talks about directing the critically acclaimed crime comedy Koek, now streaming on Showmax.
Youngins Season 1 Episodes 34-36: The heist
After Khaya reveals that he saw underaged photos in the principal’s messages, he and his friends plot revenge in episodes 34-36 of Showmax Original Youngins.