Vikings TV Series: Are These Actors Truly Descended from Vikings?

Vikings, the popular Norman Levinson-produced television series, paints a vivid picture of the Viking Age. However, a common question arises: are these actors genuinely descended from Vikings? This article explores the facts and misconceptions surrounding the ethnic backgrounds of the main cast members.

Notable Examples of Actors Not Ethnically Descended from Vikings

In the TV series Vikings, many actors portray historical figures from the Viking Age, yet not all of them have direct Viking ancestry. Here are a few notable examples:

Travis Fimmel as Ragnar Lothbrok

Travis Fimmel, who portrays Ragnar Lothbrok, is of Australian descent with no known Viking ancestry. This highlights the vast diversity among the cast of Vikings.

Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha

Katheryn Winnick, who plays Lagertha, has Ukrainian heritage and does not have confirmed Viking heritage. Her character's lineage is fictional, capturing the essence of a fierce warrior queen in the Norse mythology.

Alexander Ludwig as Bjorn Ironside

Alexander Ludwig, who embodies Bjorn Ironside, is Canadian and does not have a known direct Viking lineage. His portrayal of a legendary figure in the series adds depth to the narrative.

Gustaf Skarsg?rd as Floki

Gustaf Skarsg?rd, who plays Floki, is Swedish but his ancestry may not specifically trace back to Viking heritage. Despite this, his character's innovative and unorthodox approach to storytelling remains a significant part of the show's appeal.

Clive Standen as Rollo

Clive Standen, portraying Rollo, is of British descent and does not have documented Viking ancestry. His character's journey from a formidable raider to a respected ruler is central to the series' narrative.

Common Misconceptions about Vikings

It's a common misconception that Vikings were a distinct race or ethnicity. Instead, they were just people who lived during the Viking Age, which lasted from the late 8th to the late 11th century. You could be forgiven for asking about people descended from pirates, as the lines can indeed blur.

However, a large majority of Vikings did come from Scandinavia. They settled across a broad expanse of Europe, leading to a high likelihood that Norse blood flows through many Western Europeans today.

Reexamining the Cast’s Ancestry

Given this context, consider these actors from the show who are likely descended from a certain degree of Norsemen:

Swedish Actors

Gustaf Skarsg?rd, who embodies Floki, is Swedish. This background provides a strong connection to the Scandinavian heritage of the character and the wider Norse narrative.

Danish Actors

Actor Alex H?gh Andersen, known for his portrayal of Ivar, is Danish. This adds another layer of Northern European authenticity to the cast.

Finnish Actors

Actor Peter Franzén, who plays Harold, is Finnish. This further reinforces the connection to the broader Scandinavian heritage.

Icelandic Actors Not Represented

Note that while many Scandinavian actors in the show hail from countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, there are no Icelandic actors in this series. Icelanders have the unique ability to trace their ancestry further back due to genetic studies, providing a rare insight into Viking heritage.

Conclusion

If you consider Vikings as Norsemen, then the majority of the cast, being Scandinavian, is likely to have some degree of Norse ancestry. However, if you view them as raiders, the term becomes misleading, as not all Vikings were raiders, and not all raiders were Vikings.

In summary, while many actors in Vikings may share Scandinavian ancestry, not all of them have direct Viking lineage. The show's rich tapestry of characters, their backgrounds, and the essence of the Viking Age together make for a compelling narrative.