Certainly one of TV’s most shocking hits is Vikings, Historical past Channel’s historic drama concerning the marauders of the eighth and ninth Centuries who pillaged their approach throughout Northern Europe. Creator Michael Hirst has made a sprawling present full of distinctive tradition, fascinating characters, and brutal battles all steeped in precise historical past. With the top of Vikings coming later this 12 months (the present is at present in the course of its sixth and ultimate season) and a Netflix spin-off within the works, now’s nearly as good a time as any to see what different reveals on the market will scratch that Vikings itch when it is gone for good.
Beneath we have compiled a listing of reveals that observe within the spirit of Vikings. Some are about Vikings, some observe different teams of warriors all through historical past, and a few characteristic extra of the medieval swords and shields battles that Vikings has change into well-known for. For those who’re right here for extra historical past or simply right here to see somebody get their head lower off, you may discover what you want in these reveals which might be much like Vikings.
Searching for extra suggestions of what to observe subsequent? We have a ton of them! We even have suggestions for the best historical dramas on Netflix and best supernatural shows to watch right now.
Game of Thrones
The place to observe: HBO
Emilia Clarke, Recreation of Thrones
We’ll begin with the plain choose: HBO’s Recreation of Thrones. In actual fact, since Recreation of Thrones predates Vikings by a number of years, it is fairly attainable you discovered Vikings due to your love of Recreation of Thrones. But when for some purpose you have not seen Recreation of Thrones, then a) the place have you ever been? and b) you may discover the one present within the final decade that has higher battle scenes than Vikings does. And opposite to what you will have been advised, Recreation of Thrones does not emphasize fantasy parts. Sure, there are dragons, however when writer George R.R. Martin crafted the story, he based mostly it on historical past, particularly the Struggle of the Roses during which a number of completely different households laid declare to the crown. It is your name whether or not you need to watch the ultimate two seasons, which sadly did not reside as much as the remainder of the present.
The Last Kingdom
The place to observe: Netflix
The Final Kingdom
Of all of the reveals on this record, The Final Kingdom goes to be most like Vikings, and ought to be your first cease in the event you’re attempting to relive the thrills of Ragnar and firm. Based mostly on Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Tales, The Final Kingdom practically overlaps with the occasions of Vikings (which begins in 793), beginning with the 866 Viking conquest of York. The present’s hero is Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon who’s adopted by invading Vikings and raised as considered one of their very own after the Vikings conquer his homeland, pulling him in two completely different instructions as he has the blood of a Saxon however got here of age as a Danish Viking. As the 2 reveals are loosely based mostly on the identical historical past, some characters seem in each reveals at completely different ages in related tales separated by a technology of historical past.
Norsemen
The place to observe: Netflix
Norsemen
Slightly uninterested in all of the seriousness of Vikings, what with all of the battle, dismemberment, and members of the family stabbing one another within the again? The rugged world of historic Norse life slips on a banana peel on this English-language Norwegian comedy that spoofs Viking tradition with a humorousness someplace between Monty Python and the Farrelly Brothers. Although everybody’s carrying animal skins and tattered armor, among the dialogue is decidedly trendy, like when the present’s model of The Seer says, “Hate the participant, not the sport,” when attempting to get the village’s reluctant handmaiden to drink a cocktail of spit to satisfy a prophecy. It is fully foolish, however that is the entire level.
Knightfall
The place to observe: Netflix
Simon Merrells, Knightfall
Following the deserved success of Vikings, Historical past Channel sought out extra historic dramas in the identical vein, reveals that use historical past as a blueprint after which craft an intricate drama round it. 2017’s Knightfall most carefully resembles the technique Historical past set forth with Vikings, this time shifting to the 14th Century to go to the Knights Templar. The sequence follows Landry de Lauzon, a disenchanted Knights Templar whose religion is as soon as once more stirred when he learns the Holy Grail — sure, THAT Holy grail — has reappeared in France.
Real Vikings
The place to observe: Amazon
Actual Vikings
Vikings is such successful for Historical past that the community launched this companion docuseries in 2016 for followers thirsting for extra data of Viking tradition. Utilizing behind-the-scenes entry, interviews with historians, and conversations with the present’s stars, Actual Vikings goes deep into the historical past of the Vikings, from their paths of plundering to their non secular ceremonies to their sea-faring expertise. There are solely 4 episodes, nevertheless it’s a must-watch for followers who need to discover extra Viking tradition.
Black Sails
The place to observe: Hulu, Starz
Black Sails
If “Yarrrrrr” is extra your velocity than “Skoll!,” then set sail for the underrated pirate drama Black Sails. Like Vikings, it intricately particulars a tradition that almost all of us know extra from Halloween costumes than precise historical past, with completely different factions arrange in opposition to one another as all of them need the identical factor. In Vikings‘ case, it is land, in Black Sails‘ case, it is treasure. Black Sails is definitely a gritty prequel to Treasure Island, with characters like Lengthy John Silver, Captain Flint, and Billy Bones from Robert Louis Stevenson’s books delivered to life in an exciting drama. It does not have as many battles as Vikings, focusing extra on the renegade cutthroat technique of those sea-faring bandits, however when ships do conflict within the crystal-blue open waters, it is among the greatest motion ever seen on TV.
Spartacus
The place to observe: Starz
Spartacus: Blood and Sand
You realize what? It is OK to love Vikings for its bloodletting. And if it is spurting crimson you need, it is a tidal wave you may get within the Starz sequence Spartacus. Probably the most brutal and violent sequence ever, Spartacus is ready in 72 B.C within the Roman Empire and follows the gladiators who made homicide a sport, which Spartacus is more than pleased to point out off in artfully cinematic methods. And in line with the hedonism of the occasions, the present can also be loaded with intercourse and nudity, as a result of I do know that is additionally your factor.
The Witcher
The place to observe: Netflix
The Witcher
If Vikings‘ complicated political drama is what intrigues you, you may get a faceful of the identical in Netflix’s The Witcher. It’s miles extra fantasy-based, nevertheless, spectacularly bringing Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels a few monster hunter fulfilling an unknown future to the small display screen, whereas additionally laying out an expansive battle for a continent between a brutish empire and a number of other unbiased nation-states. Plus, Henry Cavill is the one different charismatic sword-swinging hunk who can maintain a candle to Travis Fimmel.
Vikings is now accessible on Hulu and Amazon (partial seasons).