When Vikings returns in a matter of weeks for its fifth season, there will be a new major player among the warriors fighting for power following the death of Ragnar Lothbrok: Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Bishop Heahmund.
While he made his debut in the Season Four finale, you can see more of Heahmund in action in this clip from the Season Five premiere as he prays to the late King Ecbert that the Vikings will suffer as the wrath of God falls upon them.
The season will focus on Ragnar's sons jostling for power in the wake of their father's death, and star Alex Hogh Andersen, who plays Ivar the Boneless, says his character will go head-to-head with his brothers—especially after killing their other brother, Sigurd, in Season Five—and Meyers' Heahmund.
"You’ll see him in the beginning of Season 5 generally being sorry, telling his brothers that," Andersen told Bleeding Cool. "But is that really him, or is it him manipulating his brothers? You know, trying to make them feel sorry for him, bringing them onto his team a bit more for control, making them less hostile towards them."
He'll also face off against Heahmund, his new archenemy.
"Having these two characters square off is amazing; you’ll see a lot of scenes with these two. The interesting thing is they really understand each other," he explained. "It’s that thing where you have your biggest enemy and you hate him, but you do understand him. You come from the same place, you have the same ideas and goals, and there is a mutual respect there. You’ll see that."
Plus, his closest friend, Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard), is also gone.
"Floki has always been Ivar’s only friend, and in terms of everything that’s happening at the beginning of Season 5, the aftermath of Ivar killing Siegart, Ivar really needed that support from Floki. It’s the absolute worst timing, Floki leaving. I think it’s really for the worst for Ivar," he said. "Imagine losing a friend in the moment when you need them most, and especially with everything going on, it makes Ivar more cold and determined and hard — that’s rough on everyone else."
Vikings returns Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 9 p.m. for a two-hour premiere.
