EXCLUSIVE: Australian actor Travis Fimmel has been cast in the lead role in upcoming Irish co-produced mini-series ‘Vikings’, which will begin shooting in Co Wicklow next month.
Fimmel (Tarzan, The Beast) – best known for his high-profile Calvin Klein advertising campaign – will play the role of Ragnor Lothbrok, a young descendant of the gods who is attempting to become King of the Vikings.
The 32-year-old actor will star opposite Irish actor Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects) in the series. Byrne will play Earl Haraldson, a political leader under threat from Ragnor. English actor George Blagden (Wrath of the Titans) has also been confirmed to play Athelstan, an Anglo-Saxon monk captured during a raid in England. More cast are expected to be announced over the coming weeks.
Co-produced by Irish producer Morgan O’Sullivan’s World 2000 Entertainment and Toronto-based Take 5 Productions, the 9-part ‘Vikings’ series will be filmed in Ashford Studios in Ballyhenry in Co Wicklow, with production starting in the second week of July.
Acclaimed writer and period drama specialist Michael Hirst (Elizabeth/The Tudors) created the series, which will be aired on the History Channel as the broadcaster’s first ever scripted series.
Swedish director Johan Renck will direct the first three episodes, while Irish director Ciaran Donnelly is all but confirmed to look after the second three episodes.
Earlier this week, IFTN revealed Emmy Award-winning cinematographer John Bartley has joined the cast and crew of ‘Vikings’, the Irish co-produced mini-series which begins filming at Ashford Studios in Co Wicklow next month.
All post-production facilities will take place in Canada. The History Channel will broadcast the series domestically, with MGM distributing the series globally.
‘Vikings’ will air on the History Channel in 2013.
