Vikings: Valhalla – A Blood-Soaked Legacy Continues.
Vikings: Valhalla, the action-packed historical series from Netflix, picks up the torch from its predecessor, Vikings, and brings the legendary Norse warriors into a new age of conquest, belief, and transformation. Set over a century after the events of the original show, Valhalla carves out its own identity with fresh heroes, political intrigue, and a world in religious and cultural upheaval.
Created by Jeb Stuart (best known for Die Hard and The Fugitive), Valhalla begins in the early 11th century, chronicling the final days of the Viking Age. As Christianity spreads across Scandinavia, the old gods are fading, and Norse culture is at a turning point. But while the belief systems may change, the Viking spirit of exploration, warfare, and honor remains alive—and often at war with itself.
At the center of the series is Leif Erikson (played by Sam Corlett), a Greenlander and son of the infamous Erik the Red. Leif is a reluctant warrior, driven more by loyalty to his sister Freydís than by conquest. His journey from outsider to legendary explorer is one of internal transformation and physical endurance. Opposite him is Freydís Eiríksdóttir (Frida Gustavsson), a fiery believer in the old ways, determined to reclaim her place in a world where Norse traditions are under attack.
Completing the trio of main characters is Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter), a Christian Viking nobleman and future King of Norway. Harald embodies the political complexities of the era: he’s a charismatic leader with a foot in both religious worlds, torn between ambition, loyalty, and love.
The show wastes no time plunging viewers into Viking battles, brutal betrayals, and sweeping storylines that span Norway, England, Denmark, and beyond. Early on, King Æthelred’s order to massacre Viking settlers in England (the infamous St. Brice’s Day Massacre) sets off a brutal chain of events that leads to a Viking invasion of England and the rise of King Canute (Bradley Freegard), a strategic genius with imperial dreams.
Valhalla doesn’t just revel in blood and swords—it dives into the complex political and religious shifts of the time. Tensions between Christian and pagan Vikings, uneasy alliances with Saxons, and the looming threat of Norman influence create a rich tapestry of conflict that feels both epic and personal.
Visually, the series is stunning, with sweeping shots of Nordic fjords, gritty battlefields, and medieval courts. The action sequences are as brutal and kinetic as fans expect, but it's the character work and moral ambiguity that truly give Valhalla its edge. The soundtrack, composed by Trevor Morris, blends haunting Nordic folk tones with cinematic tension.
While it pays homage to the original Vikings series, Valhalla stands on its own, bringing new energy and historical depth to the franchise. With multiple seasons already released and more rumored, the show continues to explore how a warrior people face the death of their gods—and the birth of a new world.
