Ragnar Lothbrok and his merry band of Viking barbarians will raise a goblet of mead to Odin at the news that the History Channel’s historical adventure series has been renewed for a second season.
Octagon Films’ Morgan O’Sullivan and James Flynn spearheaded the series - which is written and created by The Tudors’ Michael Hirst – to great success in the US, where its premiere achieved 8.3 million viewers, achieving the number one new cable series launch of the year.
Filmed in Ashford film studios in Wicklow over 18 weeks last summer, Vikings is an Irish-Canadian co-production between Octagon Films, Take 5 Productions and World 2000 Entertainment.
The History Channel’s Executive Vice President of development and programming, Dirk Hoogstra, praised the Vikings’ strong performance to date.
'Vikings' is a win-win for us. As our first scripted series, 'Vikings' has paid off in a big way with critical acclaim, strong ratings and a passionate, loyal fan base. We could not be more proud of the entire cast and crew and everyone involved in the making of 'Vikings,’ he said.
Irish film industry cast and crew on the series span several past IFTA-winners including director Ciarán Donnelly (The Tudors, Titanic: Blood and Steel); production designer Tom Conroy; costume designer Joan Bergin; and make-up and hair designers Tom McInerney and Dee Corcoran.
Production on another 10 episodes of ‘Vikings’ will begin this summer - with MGM Television planning to bring the series to a global audience as international distributors - and a casting call for bearded and long-haired extras expected in the coming months.
‘Vikings’ reaches its season one finale in the US on 28 April, with an Irish or UK air date yet to be confirmed.