Season 1 • Episode 4
LatestVikings creator Michael Hirst, actor Clive Standen and a host of experts sort through historic accounts, Icelandic sagas and archaeological discoveries to gain insight into the real lives of Ragnar Lothbrok and his famous sons, Bjorn Ironside and Ivar the Boneless.
The history of the Vikings is explored by "Vikings" star Clive Standen, who joins experts in Europe to learn how the Vikings successfully invaded England and France.
Practical Effects
Standen actually fights, sails, and suffers. Method documentary acting?
Production
Shockingly cinematic for TV doc—somebody cared about Viking aesthetics
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Standen injured himself filming the shield wall sequence because he refused to use a stunt double—method commitment that nearly broke production.
This aired during Vikings' peak popularity, capitalizing on fan obsession while quietly correcting the show's historical inaccuracies—corporate synergy with a conscience.
CA
