‘Vikings’ renewed: History show gets 20-episode Season 6

Strap on your furs and grow a beard, because Vikings will have a Season 6.

History announced Tuesday that it has renewed a 20-episode Season 6 of its original series, with production slated to begin in Ireland this fall. Additionally, Canadian Katheryn Winnick (Lagertha) is set to make her directorial debut for one episode this season.

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“We are incredibly proud of our partnership on this outstanding Canadian-Irish original production, and are thrilled to pick up Vikings for another compelling season,” said Daniel Eves, senior vice-president of Specialty Networks, Corus Entertainment. “Led by the incomparable Michael Hirst and a phenomenal cast and crew, Season 6 will undoubtedly deliver another round of engaging storytelling, intriguing characters, and show-stopping drama.”

Hirst, the creator and executive producer, hinted at a big development in the upcoming season.

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“It has been my pleasure and my privilege to work with History and our partner MGM over five seasons and 69 episodes of Vikings,” he said. “Now we’re ready to begin production of a 20-episode season that will deliver a huge and unexpected revelation to our audience. And so we sail on.”

Filled with Canadian talent in front of and behind the camera, Vikings has won multiple awards and is a critical favourite.

The winner of eight Canadian Screen Awards including Best International Drama, Vikings is co-produced by celebrated Canadian company Take 5 Productions. Canadian directors often shoot episodes of Vikings, and so far, Ken Girotti, Jeff Woolnough, Kari Skogland, and Helen Shaver, to name a few, have worked behind the camera.

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Since its premiere in 2013, an outstanding roster of Canadian actors alongside Winnick, including Alexander Ludwig, Jessalyn Gilsig, Donal Logue, and Season 5 newcomers, Adam Copeland and Kris Holden-Ried, have brought their talents to the Vikings tribe. Additionally, Toronto’s visual effects company Mr. X and Tattersall Sound and Picture have been nominated for a combined seven Emmy Awards for their work on Vikings (as of this writing).

Vikings is a family saga that tells the remarkable stories of the lives and epic adventures of the raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages.

Not caught up? Check out episodes on History.ca, History on Demand, the History Go App or iTunes.

The 2-hour Season 5 premiere of ‘Vikings’ airs on Wednesday, November 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on History.