When shows steeped in real-life characters are trying to be historically accurate, fans are often shocked and/or upset when favorite characters die. Such was the case with Vikings in Season Four when Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) was killed in "All His Angels," the 15th episode of the season.
But staying historically accurate also means new characters are going to be introduced, like when Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) joins Vikings for its upcoming fifth season. He was briefly seen in the Season Four finale, but now some details are trickling out about who Meyers will be playing and what role that character occupies in the Vikings universe. Here's what we know so far.
All hail Heahmund
In a January interview with Entertainment Weekly, Vikings creator Michael Hirst revealed Meyers' character name -- Heahmund, a religious warrior and antecedent of the Knights Templar who is quite the religious zealot.
Meyers is getting a workout, both physically and linguistically
In a new interview with Collider, Meyers reveals that he'll be speaking three different languages as Heahmund -- English, Anglo-Saxon and Latin. That makes sense for a man of the cloth.
But there has also been a lot of physical training involved. "I have an enormous amount of fighting," says Meyers. "That was fun, in itself."
He was a real person
Heahmund was the Bishop of Sherborne, consecrated in roughly 867, according to The Handbook of British Chronology. Heahmund died in 871 during the Battle of Marton, which is also the battle that killed Aethelred, the King of Wessex -- who just so happens to also be a part of Vikings Season Five, played by Darren Cahill.
He isn't a minor character
"[Heahmund's] got a particular reason for being there. It’s not a stunt. He’s not a gratuitous cast member, there just to keep you entertained. There's a reason he's there, and it's a very particular reason," Meyers reveals. "If he doesn't perform the duties that he's meant to perform, the story won't move the way that it's meant to move, and historically it won’t get to where it needs to go."
Hirst previously revealed that Heahmund is "gonna come in as a worthy opponent to Ivar," Ragnar's son played by Alex Hogh.
Any more details?
Meyers is mum about what exactly his character is up to in Season Five, but he does say he's been working with stars Katheryn Winnick and Alexander Ludwig, who play mother and son Lagertha and Bjorn. Perhaps Heahmund becomes involved with the new Queen of Kattegat after Ragnar's death? It's not as though Heahmund is celibate -- fans saw him "comforting" a widow in the Season Four finale by sleeping with her, so a relationship with Lagertha is not out of the realm of possibility.
In fact, Hirst told EW that even though Heahmund is a "crazed, religiously obsessed guy," he's also a sinner.
"He's a passionate guy, drawn towards women. He sins, and then when he sins, he punishes himself," says Hirst.
Vikings fans will just have to tune in to find out what exactly Heahmund's game plan is on the show. No premiere date for Season Five has been announced yet, but it is expected to premiere at the end of 2017 on History.
