Vikings: The Main Characters, Ranked by Likability

Vikings’ main characters are a varied group of individuals. Here’s how they compare in likability, from those fans love to hate to absolute favorites.

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History’s Vikings is a historical drama about the lives of Norse tribes. At first, they are introduced as ruthless warriors with very simple motives: to pillage and farm. It isn’t until they unite under a strong leader such as Ragnar Lothbrok that things begun to become more complex. Ragnar couldn’t carry the heroic story alone, though. He was supported by many other characters.

The series introduces several characters that stand out of the crowd. Besides Ragnar, the main characters are his children, wives, friends, and political opponents. While some are hard to like due to how cruel and cold they are, others frustrate us because their actions lack sense. Here is the breakdown of Vikings’ main character, from the least likable to the ones fans can’t help but love.

10 Ivar

Ivar was insufferable even as a child. He couldn’t care less about little Siggy dying and he was always mean to everyone, even his own brothers. He grew up into a psychopathic tyrant that is impossible to like. He enjoys torturing people and has no problem with waging war against his very own family.

Even though he is unappealing, he is the character that keeps the wheels turning. If it wasn’t for Ivar’s conflicts, the show would lose much of its spark and tension. Whether we like it or not, we need Ivar to keep Vikings as interesting as they have been so far. He’s great at strategy and can outsmart people in a similar way as his father did.

9 Aslaug

Ragnar’s second wife is not only unlikeable because she is the reason why Ragnar left Lagertha, but it’s also because she never really cared about him or his desires, she used him to get ahead in life and assert herself as the new queen. Soon, Ragnar’s infatuation is gone and she starts seething with resentment and bitterness.

She gave him four sons but cared very little about them. She developed an unhealthy attachment to Ivar and let others run free with no supervision. If it wasn’t for Ziggy, her children would have drowned. She doesn’t respect Ragnar at all: instead of telling her own sons about their father’s heroic deeds, she talks about her own father instead. It’s safe to say that no one felt sad when Lagertha put an arrow through her.

8 Heahmund

Heahmund is an interesting character because he stood out from the rest. Even though he was a devout Christian who can’t stand pagans, his lifestyle often resembled the Viking one, especially when it came to carnal pleasures. His strategic mind made him a welcome addition to the show and he even impressed Ivar with his warring tactics. Too bad he didn’t become Ivar’s friend, kind of how Athelstan became Ragnar’s. It sure seemed like that was the direction the show was going, but Ivar’s fascination, unfortunately, led to nowhere.

What makes Heahmund unlikable isn’t as much his character as it is his arc. He is introduced as a fearless bishop but transforms into Lagertha’s sidekick. Not to mention, he never changes his facial expression and always looks extremely serious.

7 Rollo

Ragnar’s brother Rollo always came second, so it’s no wonder his loyalties keep shifting. Most of the things that don’t make any sense about him have to do with the fact that he doesn’t really belong anywhere and that he holds on to old grudges. But even though he betrayed Ragnar, he also did some great things for him, but unfortunately, throughout the show he enacts some unreedemable behaviors that leave fans cold to him.

If it wasn’t for the way he wields his ax on a battlefield, Rollo would have absolutely nothing going for him. When he married Gisla and converted to a Christian, he lost most of the brownie points he managed to win in season 1. It also turned out that he is Björn’s father and that he knew that all along. Why would he abandon his family like that, then?

6 Floki

Floki is a divisive character. Some fans love his devotion to the gods and his people, but others can’t stand his obvious neuroticism and neediness. He murdered Athelstan out of jealousy and spite but claimed he did it because of his faith. It is frustrating to watch him lie to himself and struggle to find meaning in every quest he embarks on.

Even though Floki might come across as annoying to some, he is still one of the most important characters on the show. From the very beginning, he was different from the rest, both mentally and physically. If it wasn’t for him, the show’s characters would lack versatility.

5 Bjorn

Bjorn “Ironside” is Ragnar’s first son who was 12 years old in season 1. Growing up, he tried to grow out of his father’s shadow and refused to rest on any laurels. These things made him quite a likable character. He went into the wilderness alone, has proven himself in battle time and time again, and even led the Mediterranean exploration.

What makes Bjorn unlikable is the way he treats the women in his life. Even though he always respected his mother, he fails to do so with all the other women in his life. Just like his father, Bjorn isn’t power-hungry, but he definitely has a very strong presence about him.

4 King Ecbert

King Ecbert of Wessex was one of a kind. Despite being the leader of a Christian nation, he understood that the world is multi-cultural and took great interest in the world of the Vikings. The conversations he had with Ragnar represent some of the best dialogues the series ever gave us. He never showed much respect for other Anglo-Saxon kings, but he grew to really like Ragnar and Lagertha.

The worst thing about Ecbert is that he didn’t care about anyone, not even his son. He was selfish and egotistical, but undeniably the most skillful at politics. He saw through Ragnar’s attempt to unleash the loathing of his sons on him. In season 4, he committed suicide before Ragnar’s sons got to him.

3 Athelstan

Ragnar’s slave turned bestie, Athelstan was much more than a peaceful monk. It could be argued that he was truly put to test for the first time in his life when he entered the Viking society. It was there that he started doubting everything that he thought he knew. Not many characters concerned themselves with questions about morality, spirituality, and purpose as much as Athelstan. Even when struggling to stay virtuous, he never lashed out. By the end of his life, he considered Ragnar’s family as his own.

With him gone, the series lost a very compelling and interesting theme. His kindness, thoughtfulness, and intelligence make him one of the best characters on the show, even though he died all the way back in season 3.

2 Lagertha

Lagertha and Ragnar made for a power couple like no other, but that doesn’t mean that Lagertha was defined solely through her relationship with him. When she realized she can’t bear any more children, she didn’t let that ruin her. Instead, she became one of the fiercest shield maidens in her society and lived life with just as much freedom as a man would.

Even though she has done some pretty bad things, she always remained loyal to her ex-husband. She abandoned Astrid and killed Aslaug, but those things didn’t affect just how likable she was. If anything, these actions made her more human and thus more relatable.

1 Ragnar

Ragnar takes the cake as the most likable character on Vikings because he was the most multifaceted of them all. He started off as a competent farmer with a keen interest for exploration and development of society. He died a hero who unified his nation. When coming face-to-face with unknown concepts, he studied them rather than passed uneducated judgment. He was good at everything he set his mind to do, be it pillaging, studying Christianity or making political allies out of Anglo-Saxon kings.

Even though the show is in some ways hurting without Ragnar, his legacy lives on in his sons. Unfortunately, none of them is as charismatic and magnetic as their legendary father.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/vikings-main-characters-ranked-by-likability-rollo-ragnar-floki-history/