Summary

• Shows like Vikings take viewers on gritty, violent journeys through medieval times with fierce warriors and epic battles.
• While similar shows vary in time period and setting, they all feature strong warriors fighting for their people and beliefs.
• Fans of Vikings will enjoy other series like Deadwood, The Bastard Executioner, and The White Queen for their compelling storytelling and intense action.

Shows like Vikings take viewers on a journey to a medieval time and present plenty of gritty (and often violent) action. Vikings followed Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a farmer turned warrior turned king. With that setup, the hit series showed the Norsemen of early Scandinavia as they set out to fight for their freedom. The show premiered in 2013 and concluded after six seasons and 89 episodes in 2020 after showing King Bjorn's reign over Kattegat, Ubbe's expeditions to Iceland and North America, and Ivar's adventures in Rus' and Wessex. This eventually led to the sequel, Vikings: Valhalla.

Throughout the years, there have been a lot of shows like Vikings that followed this same basic setup, although they don't always take place in the same period and don't always involve Vikings and Norsemen. While some shows like Vikings include Viking warriors, others take place in the Wild West, post-World War Britain, and even mythical fantasy lands like that of The Witcher. Each of these shows takes a warrior and places them where they have to fight for what is best for them and their people while never surrendering and never giving up.

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25 1883 (2021-2022)

1 Season, 10 Episodes

Vikings is a terrific mix of the thrill of adventure in these characters exploring the world as well as the brutality of the life they are living. These are similar themes explored in the Yellowstone spinoff series 1883. Set at the beginning of the Dutton family timeline that has been explored in this franchise, the series follows James Dutton and Margaret Dutton as they bring their family across the country on the Oregon trail in search of land in Montana.

It could be argued that the main character of the story is actually James and Margaret's oldest child, their daughter, Elsa Dutton. She has a lot of the adventurous spirit in her that Ragnar has. The series explores her coming-of-age tale as she encounters this exciting yet dangerous world out in the untamed land of America. It is one of the most effective looks at the harshness and brutality of attempting to survive in this era of America.

24 Norsemen (2016-2020)

3 Seasons, 18 Episodes

For those just finishing binge-watching Vikings and looking to jump into another series, returning to another grim tale of brutality and violence can be a daunting endeavor. However, Norsemen might be the ideal palette cleanser for Vikings fans as it deals with the same subject matter, but in a much more lighthearted way. The Norwegian comedy series follows the day-to-day lives of Vikings in the village of Norheim.

There are also some aspects that reflect the storyline of Vikings, with the main characters of the story including the ruthless yet dim leader of the tribe.

The show is a hilarious take on the usually overly serious series of this kind, finding a lot of sitcom humor in the way these hardened warriors go about their mundane lives. There are also some aspects that reflect the storyline of Vikings, with the main characters of the story including the ruthless yet dim leader of the tribe as well as a lowly slave who seeks to modernize their community. It is a fun return to this world while also adding some humor that unexpectedly works in such a setting.

23 Shōgun (2024-)

1 Season, 10 Episodes

Shows like Vikings have popularized big and epic series that can explore fascinating aspects of history and cultures that haven't been told before. Such is the case with Shōgun, a thrilling new series that is based on the 1974 novel by James Clavell. The series is set in the 1600s and follows an Englishman who becomes shipwrecked in feudal Japan where he becomes embroiled in the plans of a notable lord.

The three main characters in Shōgun highlight various similarities in storylines that emerge in Vikings' tale of a fight for power. From the adventurer who finds himself in a land he does not understand to the lord who battles with his scheming political rivals to the intelligent woman who is judged by her family connections, Shōgun is a fascinating story of unlikely allies in a dangerous world that makes for one of the most thrilling new shows of 2024.

22 The Great (2020-2023)

3 Seasons, 30 Episodes

Vikings is a show about the struggle for power in a world filled with cutthroat people trying to advance in society. In this brutal Vikings world, this usually has a bloody outcome with challengers and rivals going to literal battle with each other. The Great examines a completely different era in history where the fight for power was more about the shady deals made behind the curtain and the schemes concocted by the major power players. However, it was no less ruthless.

The Great takes the real history and tells a very loose adaptation of the story of Catherine the Great. Like Ragnar in Vikings, she was someone who came from a simpler life and found herself in a sphere of power. Though she was underestimated, she showed a shrewdness for politics, seizing power and finding her own way to rule. The Great also has more of a sense of humor than Vikings, but it is another gripping historical underdog story - albeit a much funnier one.

21 The Winter King (2023-)

1 Season, 10 Episodes

There is something riveting about a forgotten and overlooked warrior stepping into a world of lords and kings and proving themselves. This is the story of Ragnar in Vikings, ri from a simple farmer to gain respect as a warrior and eventually become a king. The story of King Arthur tells a similar tale, and though many movies and shows have examined the Arthurian legend, The Winter King finds an interesting and exciting approach to the story.

Based on the book series by Bernard Cornwell, the series follows Arthur Pendragon, a young man who has an illegitimate claim to the throne who has been banished by the Saxons but seeks to regain the throne in this family's name. Like Vikings, Arthur's story is elevated by the exciting cast of characters, with many of them new interpretations of figures of Arthurian legend, including Merlin, Morgana le Fay, and Tristan.

De Caestecker, who plays the role of Arthur Pendragon also played Leo Fitz in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

20 Deadwood (2004-2006)

3 Seasons, 36 Episodes

While the premise of a drama taking place in the 1870s American Old West might seem like a far cry from the frozen north of Medieval Scandinavia and its warring tribes, the three seasons of Deadwood have many similarities in of style and premise to shows like Vikings. This criminally short-lived drama and subsequent movie captivated audiences with its authentically gritty settings, dynamic characters, and intriguing plots, which helped the show win eight Emmys and a Golden Globe.

While the small town of Deadwood is leagues away from the likes of Vikings geographically, there's a comparable level of instability and an individualistic sense of "everyone for themselves" in this harsh, cutthroat society. Like Vikings, Deadwood explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the pursuit of power. Characters like Al Swearengen and Seth Bullock embody complex moral ambiguities similar to Ragnar Lothbrok and other Vikings characters, where survival often hinges on making ruthless choices. The immersive world-building and historical authenticity make Deadwood an unforgettable exploration of the American frontier that Vikings fans will appreciate for its raw and uncompromising storytelling.

19 The Bastard Executioner (2015)

1 Season, 10 Episodes

Much like shows like Vikings, The Bastard Executioner features plenty of historically rooted fighting and violence, making it a natural fit for fans. It focuses on a knight who no longer wants to be in a war, which puts an exciting twist on the typical action-hero narrative. However, he does get dragged back into the fighting, and, though unwilling, it's what Wilkin Brattle does best. Created by Kurt Sutter (Sons of Anarchy), the series doesn't stop depicting the brutal realities of medieval life and warfare.

The show delves into themes of revenge, loyalty, and moral ambiguity. The richly detailed medieval setting, with its grim villages and imposing castles, creates an immersive atmosphere akin to the rugged Scandinavian landscapes of Vikings. The action and fight choreography in this show are truly superb, and they'll undoubtedly keep any Vikings fan entertained, despite unfortunately only lasting for a single season. Despite its short run, The Bastard Executioner is packed with intense battles, political intrigue, and compelling character arcs that will resonate with any fan of epic historical drama.

18 The White Queen (2013)

1 Season, 10 Episodes

Based on Philippa Gregory's novel The Cousins' War, this little-known historical period drama from BBC One draws some significant parallels to shows like Vikings. This isn't just because of its Medieval English setting — which is centuries after the events of Vikings — but because The White Queen also focuses on the complexities of European politics and rivaling factions during this time. This underrated show also compares to Game of Thrones, as it centers around three rival queens vying for the throne of England, pulling strings behind the scenes.

The series' intricate exploration of political machinations, betrayal, and shifting alliances mirrors the power struggles and family dynamics that Vikings fans love. Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Anne Neville are three formidable women who will stop at nothing to secure power for their families, much like Lagertha and other strong female characters in Vikings. What this show lacks in action, it makes up for in its more realistic portrayals, terrific acting, and some emotionally rich elements of romance.

17 Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)

6 Seasons, 36 Episodes

Assuming audiences don't mind the shift in period settings, Peaky Blinders might just be right up a Vikings fan's alley. It features some unique characters and fantastic performances, with twists and turns that keep audiences perched on the edges of their seats. There might not be any sword fights, but there's plenty of fighting, grit, and drama. Featuring an incredible cast led by the inimitable Cillian Murphy, this series revolves around the lives and times of the Shelby crime family in England.

Like Vikings, Peaky Blinders explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the pursuit of power. The ruthless ambition and strategic brilliance of Thomas Shelby draw comparisons to Ragnar Lothbrok, with both leaders navigating treacherous paths in their respective worlds. The series masterfully captures the gritty atmosphere of post-World War I Birmingham, offering a rich, immersive backdrop where gang rivalries, political intrigue, and personal vendettas intertwine. With its stellar writing, stylish cinematography, and a mesmerizing soundtrack, Peaky Blinders offers a captivating and raw look at ambition and survival that Vikings fans will find irresistible.