Vikings TV Series: Complete Summary Season by Season (1 to 6)

Longships sailing through the fjords — the iconic image of the Vikings series

Official trailer of the Vikings series — History Channel

Introduction to the Vikings Series

Launched in March 2013 on the History Channel, the Vikings series immediately captivated the global audience. Created by Michael Hirst — the writer behind Elizabeth and The Tudors — it stands out for its ambition to blend historical accuracy with dramatic storytelling.

Unlike the usual portrayals of Vikings as bloodthirsty barbarians, the series depicts a complex civilization: bold navigators, skillful traders, refined craftsmen, and fervent believers. It explores both bloody raids and political intrigues, spiritual beliefs, and family dynamics.

To understand the historical roots of the series, check out our in-depth article on Ragnar Lothbrok: True History vs. Vikings Series, which unravels fact from fiction.

Seasons 1-2: The Rise of Ragnar Lothbrok (2013-2014)

The raid on Lindisfarne — the moment that changed history

Season 1: The farmer who dreamed of the West (9 episodes)

The series opens in the fictional village of Kattegat, in Scandinavia. Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) is an ambitious farmer who dreams of sailing West, while the Vikings only know of raids to the East. With the help of Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård), an eccentric carpenter and devotee of Odin, he builds a ship capable of facing the ocean.

Against the orders of Jarl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne), the local leader, Ragnar leads a clandestine expedition that culminates in the raid on Lindisfarne in 793 — the first Viking raid in England. This major historical event marks the beginning of the Viking Age. Ragnar brings back with him the monk Athelstan (George Blagden), whose friendship will become one of the series' richest narrative threads.

Season 1 concludes with the duel to the death between Ragnar and Jarl Haraldson. Ragnar triumphs and becomes the new Jarl of Kattegat, with his wife Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) by his side.

Season 2: Power, betrayals, and rivalries (10 episodes)

Now Jarl, Ragnar faces power struggles. His brother Rollo (Clive Standen), eaten away by jealousy, betrays him and allies himself with Jarl Borg. The season explores the rift between the two brothers and the raids in England, notably in the Kingdom of Wessex where Ragnar forms a complex relationship with King Ecbert (Linus Roache).

Ragnar leaves Lagertha to marry Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland), the mother of his future famous sons: Ivar, Sigurd, Hvitserk, and Ubbe. This breakup marks a turning point in the series. Lagertha, far from disappearing, will become one of the most formidable warriors of the saga.

Season 3: The Siege of Paris (2015)

The Siege of Paris — the height of Ragnar's ambition

The pinnacle of Ragnar (10 episodes)

Considered by many to be the best season of the series, season 3 culminates in the legendary siege of Paris. Ragnar, now king, leads a massive fleet up the Seine to attack the best-defended city in Europe.

The siege spans several episodes and offers the most spectacular battle scenes of the series. The Vikings attempt to scale the walls, suffering heavy losses against the Frankish defenses, before Ragnar resorts to a daring ruse: he feigns his conversion to Christianity and his own death to be smuggled into the city in a coffin. Once inside, he opens the gates to his warriors.

This season also deepens the relationship between Ragnar and Athelstan, which ends tragically with the monk's murder by Floki. Athelstan's death marks a turning point for Ragnar, who begins to question his own beliefs.

Meanwhile, Rollo accepts a deal with Emperor Charles: he will remain in Francia and marry Princess Gisla. This is the beginning of his transformation into the Duke of Normandy — a nod to the real historical figure of Rollo.

Norse mythology permeates every scene of this season. To understand the symbols that appear in the series, consult our complete guide to Viking symbols and their meanings.

Season 4: The Fall of Ragnar and the Rise of His Sons (2016-2017)

Ragnar facing his destiny in the snake pit

Season 4A: Ragnar's descent (10 episodes)

The first part of season 4 shows a transformed Ragnar. Haunted by the death of Athelstan and addicted to drugs brought back from his travels, he gradually loses control of Kattegat. His attempt to colonize Paris fails. The contrast between the bold Ragnar of the first seasons and this broken man is striking.

Ragnar disappears mysteriously for several years, leaving his sons and Aslaug to rule. When he returns, he is aged and weakened, but determined to undertake one last voyage to England.

Season 4B: The death of the king and the birth of the legend (10 episodes)

Ragnar recruits outlaws and sets off for England with his son Ivar. Captured by King Ælla of Northumbria, he is thrown into a snake pit — a death faithful to the Norse sagas. His final words resonate like a prophecy:

Ragnar's death triggers the Great Heathen Army. His sons — Bjorn, Ivar, Ubbe, Hvitserk, and Sigurd — assemble the largest Viking army ever seen to invade England and avenge their father. King Ælla is executed by the blood eagle, one of the most terrifying rituals of the Viking Age.

To learn more about the death of Ragnar and its historical consequences, read our article on the true story of Ragnar Lothbrok.

Seasons 5-6: The War of the Sons and the End of the Saga (2017-2020)

Ragnar's sons continue their father's legacy

Season 5: The fratricidal war (20 episodes)

After vengeance is achieved, Ragnar's sons turn against one another. Ivar the Boneless (Alex Høgh Andersen) seizes Kattegat and proclaims himself a god, establishing a reign of terror. Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) and Lagertha are forced into exile.

The season is marked by the Battle of Kattegat, which pits the brothers against each other in a bloody clash. Ivar kills Sigurd at the very beginning of the season, an act that seals his descent into madness. Ubbe and Hvitserk are torn between family loyalty and survival.

Meanwhile, Floki undertakes a voyage to Iceland, taking settlers to establish a utopian community — a quest that will end in tragedy.

Season 6: The end of an era (20 episodes)

The end of an era — the final flickers of the Viking saga

The final season is divided into two parts. The first focuses on Bjorn, who must defend Kattegat against a new threat: the Rus' of Kiev, led by Oleg the Prophet — and Ivar, who has allied himself with him. The heroic death of Bjorn Ironside is one of the most moving moments of the series.

The death of Lagertha, killed by a hallucinating Hvitserk, concludes the arc of one of the most beloved characters. The second part follows Ubbe on his journey to the West — he discovers the New World (North America), thus fulfilling Ragnar's initial dream of exploring the unknown.

Ivar dies in combat during the Battle of Wessex, with a serene smile, finally accepting his fate. The series concludes on a note of hope and melancholy: the era of the great raids is over, but the Viking legacy endures.

Main Characters of the Vikings Series

The series' universe extends to physical items: Viking weapon replicas, statues of gods and warriors, and Norse wall decorations.

Chronology of the Vikings Series

Here are the key events of each season, placed in their historical context:

The series considerably compresses the historical timeline. To understand the real differences between fiction and reality, read our article on the true story of Ragnar Lothbrok and discover our account of the 5 legendary battles of Ragnar in the series.

Vikings: Valhalla — The Sequel on Netflix

For those who want to continue the adventure after the 6 seasons of Vikings, Vikings: Valhalla takes over on Netflix. This spin-off series, created by Jeb Stuart, takes place about 100 years after the events of the original series.

It introduces a new generation of Norse heroes:

• Leif Erikson — the explorer who discovers America (long before Christopher Columbus)
• Freydis Eriksdotter — his sister, warrior and protector of pagan traditions
• Harald Sigurdsson — future King of Norway, ambitious and charismatic
• Olaf Haraldsson — Christian king who wants to convert Scandinavia

Recommended viewing order: watch the 6 seasons of Vikings (2013-2020) first, then the 3 seasons of Vikings: Valhalla (2022-2024) on Netflix.

The themes remain similar — exploration, conquest, tension between paganism and Christianity — but with a different historical context: the end of the Viking Age and the beginning of the Christianization of Scandinavia.

Discover our article on Odin, the supreme god of Norse mythology, and dive into the world of the Norse mythological creatures that inhabit the sagas.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Vikings Series

May the Aesir guide you on the path of honor.