Vikings: Valhalla swung the sword to the top of Netflix’s weekly ratings chart as the streamer revealed how its 24-episode order would be split.
The first eight episodes of the series, created by Jeb Stewart, aired on February 25 and were viewed by subscribers for 113 million hours. This placed it at number one on the top ten English-language Netflix series in the US as well as 90 countries, with Anna’s Invention moving to number two. It was viewed a total of 194 million hours in its first nine days.
The streamer revealed that the second chapter of eight episodes has concluded in County Wicklow, Ireland and is expected to air in 2023. Production on the third chapter of eight episodes will begin later this spring.
Stewart remains as showrunner and executive producer for the second and third chapters, with Sam Corlett who plays Leif Eriksson, Frida Gustavsson as Freydis Eriksdotter and Leo Suter as Harald Sigurdsson reprising their roles.
Produced by MGM Television and a sequel to the original History Channel series, the series follows the heroic adventures of some of the most famous Vikings who ever lived.
When tensions between Vikings and English royalty reach bloody breaking point, and the Vikings themselves clash over their conflicting Christian and pagan beliefs, these three Vikings embark on an epic journey that will take them across oceans and through battlefields, from Kattegat to England and beyond. outside as they fight for survival and glory.
Stewart is producing with Morgan O’Sullivan, Vikings creator Michael Hurst, Sheila Hawkin, Steve Stark, James Flynn, John Weber, Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer and Paul Buccieri, who previously ran A+E Studios.
Stewart thanked the fans for watching. “The numbers were stunning and exceeded my wildest expectations. I am very happy to be able to confirm that we have completed and are already editing the second season, and that production on the third season will begin soon. While the storylines of Leif, Freydis, Harald, Olaf, Canute and the rest of our amazing actors are secret, I can say without hesitation that their adventures will be even more epic than what you’ve seen so far.”
Peter Friedlander, Head of Scripting for US and Canada, Netflix added: “Fans have spoken out and we couldn’t be more excited than to offer them more of the epic adventure and heartbreaking action they love. Jeb Stewart masterfully takes this beloved saga 125 years into the future and introduces a whole new generation of Vikings and stories that resonate with new and existing fans around the world. There are many more places to avenge and more battles to fight.”