A brand new Vikings season 5 trailer has arrived. History debuted the footage during their SDCC presentation, which heavily focused on the show's mid-season return. The panel was well-attended, with nearly 5,000 people packed into Ballroom 20 at San Diego Comic-Con to get their first glimpses at what's to come when the series makes its way back to the air. If this trailer is any indication, there's going to be a whole lot of ancient, muscle-bound dudes doing battle in glorious fashion.
For those who maybe need a refresher, in the season 5 mid-season finale, the divide between the Lothbrok family climaxes with Ragnar's sons battling each other to rule the world. The long-awaited faceoff ends with a strategic victory going to Ivar the Boneless (Alex Høgh Andersen) who vows vengeance on his betrayers with a direct target on Lagertha's (Katheryn Winnick) back. Last seen in an unstable state and losing her appearance as a fierce Viking warrior, Lagertha is hopeful she will regain her spot in Kattegat as its rightful leader.
The second half of Vikings season five sees the arrival of a legendary Viking, the famous Duke Rollo (Clive Standen), who causes further upheaval in a Kattegat still reeling from Ivar the Boneless becoming its King. As Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) and Lagertha flee Ivar's murderous forces with Bishop Heahmund (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), Ivar's tyrannical reign over Scandinavia ushers in a new Dark Age, the likes of which have never been seen. Ultimately, Ivar's reign will not go unchallenged by the sons of Ragnar and old enemies will become allies to defeat the despot who has declared himself a God on earth. Meanwhile in Iceland, Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) battles the elements, and his own settlers' desire for revenge, to forge a Viking colony on the beautiful and desolate landscape.
History, for years, wasn't known for scripted programming. And in fairness, it largely still isn't. However, they scored themselves a hit with Vikings when it debuted in 2013 and they proved to be able to do it just about as well as anyone. It certainly offers a percentage of TV lovers something to help fill the void in between seasons of Game of Thrones. History has already given the green light to Vikings season 6, which will consist of 20 episodes and is currently filming in Ireland.
Vikings comes from the mind of Michael Hirst, who, somewhat shockingly, writes every single episode of the show, which is highly uncommon in the TV landscape. He also executive produces the show with Morgan O'Sullivan, James Flynn, Sheila Hockin, John Weber, Sherry Marsh and Alan Gasmer. History also announced during their SDCC panel that Vikings season 5 returns on Wednesday, November 28. So mark your calendars and arrange your DVR situation accordingly. Be sure to check out the new trailer for Vikings season 5, courtesy of the History YouTube channel, for yourself below.