The History Channel’s “Vikings” waste no time getting back to what they do best in Season 3’s premiere: Fighting.
In a sneak peek of the episode titled “Mercenary,” Ragnar Lothbork (Travis Fimmel) returns to Wessex and keeps Mercian fighters at bay. He’s joined by son Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig), Rollo (Clive Standen), ex-wife Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) and friend Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard).
Bjorn’s love interest and shield maiden, Porunn (Gaia Weiss), also gets her first taste of battle.
At the “Battle With Mercia,” the warriors surge forward blocking with their shields and slicing hard through their enemies as Mercia’s king and Princess Kwenthrith (Amy Bailey) look on with angst.
This season, Ragnar has ascended to king and promises to battle King Ecbert’s (Linus Roache) foes in exchange for farming land. But new land isn’t all Ragnar has his sights on when he learns of the mythical city Paris that’s impregnable.
Ragnar’s insatiable appetite to raid will continue to spawn more rifts, betrayals and shocking losses throughout the season.
From Michael Hirst, History Channel’s first scripted drama returns with 10 episodes.
“Vikings” premieres Thursday, Feb. 19 at 10 p.m. on the History Channel.