Warning: Major Spoilers for the latest episode ofVikingsare ahead.
But this week, the show cut down its most legendary figure.
Anyone familiar with the sagas from whichVikingsderives its narrative knew that Ragnar would die eventually.
Credit: Jonathan Hession
You might be surprised, though, to hear that this death was originally going to happen much earlier.
I ended up staying around for three more!
I was asking them to get my head shaved for awhile.
And he recalls some of his struggles with playing his larger-than-life character over the course of his mythic lifetime.
Early on, he was too much a hero, too nice, says Fimmel.
Its very hard to play a man without any flaws.
You feel a lot more getting booed than cheered, you know what I mean?
Ragnar is now a part of history, says Hirst, a part of our history.
I was never afraid of killing him off, but I wanted the death to be monumental.
It was just cold, deadpans Fimmel.
Everybody was freezing that day.
(Sample line: It gladdens me to know that Odin prepares for a feast.)
I hate speeches, says Fimmel.
It was written to be a big thing, and I didnt want him to say all that.
Me and Michael argued about it.
It became a huge moment, says Hirst.
He was very worried about giving the last speech from the cage.
Me and Michael spoke about how the kids will find out what he said.
Its all for them, he doesnt believe it.
Hes a definite atheist, says Fimmel.
Im a big atheist, so I always pushed for that at the end.
Hirst notes that Ragnars struggles will reverberate through Viking culture.
The sons are still arguing about whether their father renounced the gods, he explains.
Thats the history, you know?
Ultimately, the Vikingsdidrenounce their pagan gods.
So Ragnar has set in train a big argument that continues through the whole Viking age.
That age will now continue on the show without Fimmel.
Theres no let-up in the drama, says Hirst.
Ragnar is dead, but Ragnar lives on.
Fimmel is optimistic about how the series will progress without him.
Its a great energy injected into the show, he says.
Four years into it, some shows get boring.
[Ragnars sons] go on to do better things, you know?
Fimmel credits History with lettingVikingsgrow in its own particular fashion.
We were very lucky over there.
We didnt have the normal, THIS is how it has to be done.
So many shows are exactly the same.
Laughing, he mentions another current TV show known for epic battle sequences.
We shot everything in Ireland, you know?
Thats the only thing Im jealous aboutGame of Thrones, they get to go to Spain all the time.
He just starred inWarcraft, the big-in-China video game adaptation; he hasnt heard any talk of a sequel.
Looking back, he recalls his time onVikingswith nonchalant relish.
I was meant to be doing another movie beforeVikingscame on, says Fimmel.
Had to go and live in Ireland and play in the mud.
Its been so beneficial to me.
I miss the people tremendously.
Michael Hirst is already deep into production ofVikingsseason 5.
Ive just finished 516, he says (meaning the 16th episode of the season).
There are people walking around the studios going, Whos Ragnar?'
When asked if he has a final message for Fimmel, the usually loquacious writer pauses and considers.
Just say, he concludes, Michael says he loves you.'
Later, Fimmel smiles when he hears the message.
Its over, Michael!
