Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla is worth watching for a myriad of reasons, but primarily for its riveting character arcs. It’s a quiet excavation of faith and allegiances, but an exciting time no less in the world-building it’s slowly getting to. The Vikings era isn’t my cup of tea, and I’ll be frank in admitting that I was initially drawn to watch because of the cast, but still, despite my initial hesitations, for the most part, the series manages to pull you in.
The same can’t be said for people who are (were) fans of the original series the show is a spin-off/sequel of (we’ll let them tell you), but if you’re new to the world and wondering if it’ll be gripping, the answer is a likely yes. This cast deserves your attention, and from the first episode, it’s likely that they’ll have it.
The official synopsis reads:
Set over a thousand years ago in the early 11th century, VIKINGS: VALHALLA chronicles the heroic adventures of some of the most famous Vikings who ever lived — the legendary explorer Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), his fiery and headstrong sister Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson), and the ambitious Nordic prince Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter). As tensions between the Vikings and the English royals reach a bloody breaking point and as the Vikings themselves clash over their conflicting Christian and pagan beliefs, these three Vikings begin an epic journey that will take them across oceans and through battlefields, from Kattegat to England and beyond, as they fight for survival and glory.
VIKINGS: VALHALLA, set over a hundred years after the end of the original VIKINGS series, is a new adventure that blends historical authenticity and drama with gritty, immersive action. From showrunner and executive producer Jeb Stuart, VALHALLA is also executive produced by Morgan O’Sullivan, Michael Hirst, Sheila Hockin, Steve Stark, James Flynn, John Weber, Sherry Marsh and Alan Gasmer, Paul Buccieri, and also stars Bradley Freegard, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Caroline Henderson, Laura Berlin, and David Oakes.
Moreover, for our frequent readers who are generally more interested in character dynamics and romance. Vikings: Valhalla features both with multi-dimensional women and men who are doing their part to grapple with their personal beliefs and the current desires they harbor. In which case, we’re thrilled to say that there are love stories within the series that might just be the reason you hit next on the episode.
If you’ve followed us before, then you know what we look for in a TV series—something that’s character-driven, engaging, and something with great performances. Vikings: Valhalla understands this all. It’s the kind of epic Netflix continues to excel at. (See, The Witcher.) What’s new and perhaps invented solely for television purposes is beautiful, and it works on this show best.
The performances on the show are especially worth noting. I was particularly impressed with almost all the cast members, especially those playing central roles, some of whom I’ve seen in other series, who’ve managed to escape into this role so effortlessly that it was hard to believe it’s the same people. If that’s not worthy of a chance then I don’t know what is.
In short, Vikings: Valhalla should be your next TV binge, and it’s one you won’t regret. For those potentially worried about the violent elements, it’s fairly tolerable still. And thus far, it isn’t gory for the sake of gore, but rather the violence understandably fits into the story.
Vikings: Valhalla is coming to Netflix on February 25.