LONDON: The new Netflix program ‘Vikings: Valhalla,’ which starts on Friday, combines history and drama to tell the narrative of Viking exploits from more than 1,000 years ago, beginning with a revenge expedition against the English monarchy.
It depicts the stories of Norse personalities such as explorer Leif Eriksson, his headstrong sister Freydis Eriksdotter, and resolute Prince Harald Sigurdsson, set some 100 years after the end of the blockbuster series ‘Vikings.’
“It was great to dive into the legend that lives in these sagas but stripping it back down and really telling a human story,” Leif actor Sam Corlett told Reuters.
Greenlanders Leif and Freydis sail to Kattegat on a personal vengeance, but he is quickly dragged in by Harald (Leo Suter) and King Canute (Bradley Freegard) to revenge fellow Vikings slaughtered in England.
Meanwhile, Freydis, played by Frida Gustavsson, is taken under the wing of female Kattegat leader Jarl Haakon, played by Caroline Henderson, and the two actors form a deep friendship.
“It was incredible to work on a show where you have space for two strong female leads who are working together,” Gustavsson remarked.
“It wasn’t a stroll in the park… long, long, long days… we were cold and exhausted… It’s not simple, but I believe the work ethic we shared, as well as our connection with the rest of the cast, aided us much “Henderson stated his case.
The series is filled with sailing and deadly conflicts. It also examines the rivalry between pagan and Christian Vikings.
“It follows these people as they reason about where they got their inspiration to accomplish what they did. And I thought it to be really intriguing “Jeb Stuart, the show’s creator, stated.
“There’s a lot of history involved, but it’s also a grey area that a historical dramatist like myself can actually play in without making stuff up that’s outside my comfort zone.”
When asked about the Vikings’ continued appeal, Suter replied, “We’re still talking about them, right?” They accomplished incredible feats. King Canut built a North Sea empire. Harald Hardrada was a terrible soldier who traversed Europe; Leif linked Europe and America.”