Michael Hirst
Epic fantasy TV shows may give viewers the added thrill of wild storylines, strange familial relations and, best of all, dragons, but truth – or history, actually – can also be as strange and fascinating as fiction.
“Vikings,” the historical drama created and written for History Channel by Michael Hirst (best known for writing the Cate Blanchett-starrer “Elizabeth,” and the controversial TV series “The Tudors”), promises just as much madness and mayhem. Anchored on tales of raiding and trading by Norsemen of early medieval Scandinavia, the series steadies its sea legs on grounds laid by legendary sagas, partially fictional tales based on Norse oral tradition.
Speaking with Bulletin Entertainment, Hirst addresses the issue of accuracy when it comes to works of entertainment. “There are people who question the accuracy of ‘The Tudors,’ but there are not many academics or intellectuals that question the accuracy of ‘Vikings,’” he says.
“The Viking period was known as the Dark Ages, so we don’t know a lot of things about the Dark Ages,” he explains. “The other thing is, the show is based on historical research, and I have a historical advisor. I’ve also got an advisor who’s an Icelandic writer.”
Apart from many academics in Scandinavia applauding the show, he adds, “The head of Scandinavian Studies at Harvard University, who’s a Swedish professor, said this is the first time his culture has ever been taken seriously and intelligently. So I can live with that… This is a drama, not a documentary, but the academic community has been very fulsome in its praise of the show.”
Now on its third season, “Vikings” has so far shown the trials and triumphs of Norse explorers led by farmer-turned- chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel). With his fellow warriors and family by his side, the touted scourge of England and France bravely sails across the sea to discover other civilizations.
His first wife, the shieldmaiden Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), more than defied conventions of being a woman. Fighting and pillaging by Ragnar’s side, she’s practically become one of modern television’s most badass feminist icon – certainly no push over when it came to her husband’s wandering eye.
Another interesting character in the show is the Anglo-Saxon monk Athelstan (George Blagden), who was first taken by the Vikings (in Season 1) from the monastery in Lindisfarne (the raid in 793 AD that marked the beginning of the Viking Age). Learning the ways of the pagans, he developed affinity towards them.
“When I was making the show, I wanted this character to take the audience to a strange, pagan world… like a device, initially,” Hirst admits. “But then, he became a character… like, in my mind, a real person. His journey, his spiritual torment, confusion became a real part of the show.”
Although a fictionalized addition to the Lindisfarne raid, Athelstan’s importance stretches to the latest season where, Hirst says, “Both Ragnar and King Ecbert (of Wessex), a pagan king and a Christian king (respectively), are influenced by Athelstan. So whatever happens, his influence will live on…”
Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel, center) and his kin in ‘Vikings’
More than recounting the glorious and often brutal Norse sagas, “Vikings” resonates today in light of war, of countries going into other territories in the name of freedom, and even the brutality of fundamentalist beliefs. For this, “Vikings” becomes all the more meaningful.
“I’m writing about conflict… religious conflict, and people’s beliefs. The way people’s beliefs influence their actions and the world,” Hirst says. “I want people to think about that, perhaps reflect upon that.”
Whereas he has characters like Floki (Gustav Skarsgård) a pagan fundamentalists, and King Ecbert (Linus Roache), a Christian fundamentalists, he notes, “There are those that are more questioning. My central character, Ragnar, may be a pagan Viking, but he is a questioning, thoughtful, interesting guy who can see the value of other beliefs.”
Hirst points out, “Ragnar is caught in between two beliefs (in the upcoming season), and I want people to think about that. Fundamentalism is not a good thing, whoever you are.” A valuable message indeed.
Season 3 of the fascinating “Vikings” premieres this Friday, Feb. 27, at 10 p.m. on History Channel.