It has been announced WWE star, Edge (also known as Adam Copeland), has signed on for Season 5 of History Channel’s Vikings . Along with this cast announcement, Jonathan Rhys Meyers is the other new cast member for Season 5, but who will they be playing?
Spoiler alert: This article discusses the historical aspects of some of the Vikings characters that may spoil upcoming storylines in Season 4 and 5 of History’s Vikings . Please proceed with caution if you wish to avoid potential spoilers.
Recently, Deadlineannounced WWE’s Adam Copeland will join the Season 5 castof History’s Vikingsin a recurring role. This is not Copeland’s first television appearance, having also starred as Dwight Hendrickson in SyFy’s Haven. According to the announcement, Copeland’s character will be a Viking chosen by Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) to head the Vikings exploration into Iceland.
“[Adam] Copeland will play Ketill Flatnose, a fierce and brave warrior, chosen by Floki to be one of the leaders of the Viking party intent on traveling to Iceland to set up a community there.”
Historically speaking, Ketill Flatnose is an actual figure known as Ketill Björnsson, who was later given the nickname “Flatnose.” He is mentioned in Viking sagas such as Erik the Red . Ketill fled Norway after Harald Finehair successfully won the Battle of Hafrsfjord in the late 9th century. It was after this victory that Norway was completely unified for the first time.
In the VikingsTV series, Harald Finehair (portrayed by Peter Franzén), is currently in the midst of the Viking attacks on Paris. However, fans might remember when he first entered the Viking world back in Episode 4of Season 4 of Vikings, he promised to conquer all of Norway in order to win the hand of a woman. According to the Viking sagas, this is exactly what Harald Finehair does. So, could Harald take over Kattegat and as a result of this, some characters will have to flee Kattegat and head out into Iceland? Only by tuning into Season 5 of Vikingswill all be revealed.
What we do know for sure though, thanks to San Diego Comic-Con, is that Floki will head to the Mediterranean with Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig). However, there is a suggestion that, while Floki and Bjorn will travel together for some time, their paths will deviate as well.
When Michael Hirst was interviewed by Zap2It , he suggested as such .
“Floki is an ongoing character and has a big, big part to play in the story going forward. But it’s a part that starts to separate him from the family, in a sense. He’s going to go his own way, to some extent.”
So, could Floki perhaps return to Kattegat just in time to head out with Ketill Flatnose into Iceland? Unfortunately, Floki is not a historical Viking character, so his storyline is completely unknown in regards to what he will do. Fans can only speculate on Floki’s storyline based on the existing Viking sagas and those historical characters around him.
As for Jonathan Rhys Meyers, since he was cast back in March of this year, little has been revealed about the character he will play other than he will be involved in Season 5. However, Vikingscreator Michael Hirst revealed to The Hollywood Reporterduring Comic-Con that Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ character will actually be introducedin the second half of Season 4 of Vikings.
“We introduce him and set the scene for the next season. He’s going to be a major player,” Hirst explained. “I am thrilled that he’s joined us and I can’t wait to explore his character.”
Jonathan Rhys Meyers is currently starring in History’s Roots as Tom Lea.
What do you think of the casting of Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Adam Copeland in Vikings ? Let us know your thoughts and theories by commenting below.
Vikings will return later in 2016, and the series has been renewed for Season 5 by the History Channel.
[Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer / Brad Barket (for History)/Getty Images]