Ragnar dreams of the "West"—rumored to be a land of immense riches. With the help of his eccentric shipbuilder friend (Gustaf Skarsgård), Ragnar secretly builds a faster, sleeker longship capable of navigating the open sea. Key Events of Season 1:
The series is praised for its compelling ensemble cast, many of whom became breakout stars:
In the second episode, "Wrath of the Northmen," Ragnar and his crew successfully reach the coast of Northumbria, England, and raid the monastery at Lindisfarne .
Ragnar's success threatens Haraldson's authority, leading to a brutal power struggle that culminates in a duel to the death, where Ragnar emerges as the new Earl of Kattegat.
Set at the dawn of the Viking Age in 793 A.D., Season 1 begins in the settlement of , Norway. Ragnar Lothbrok (played by Travis Fimmel ) is a young warrior frustrated by the local chieftain, Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne), who insists on raiding the impoverished lands to the east.
