Throwback Thurs! Vikings Cast Q & A! With Travis Fimmel! Katheryn Winnick! Clive Standen! And More!

With Vikings season three coming out on Blu-ray packed with bonus features, I thought it was a good time to do a quick Throwback Thurs to when I was able to meet the entire cast at a q and a that they had here in Los Angeles. The entire cast was on hand and can I tell you, they are the nicest group of people ever. Seriously, besides being on one of my favorite shows of all time, you just want to hang out and have a beer with them.

Check out this weeks Throwback Thurs below!

I have to tell you, I’ve become such a huge fan of the History Channel’s Vikings. It’s honestly one of those shows that continues to grow on you and suck you into the characters and drama. I’ll tell you, I never thought I would be such a fan of a show based on anything to do with Vikings, I never had an interest in the culture or the people. Unless, they had a hammer and were from Asgard.

However, this series is so well done I got immediately hooked. The entire cast was in Los Angeles for a q and a followed by a reception. Billy, Erica, Big Mike and Daria joined me for this event.

The cast attending are Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Jessalyn Gilsig, Gustaf Skarsgard, George Blagden, and creator/writer Michael Hirst.

The evening started with a 20 clip reel that included the highlights of the season and the different story lines.

Then the q and a started. Michael Hirst, who also wrote Elisabeth with Cate Blanchett, was extremely articulate and in his own way passionate about the series and the Viking culture.

Michael talked about the use of sex and violence in the series.

“After explaining to me what we could and could not show, I said to them, you do realize you just bought a show called Vikings.” he went on to say, “We didn’t mind quite frankly, I’m guilty having a little gratuitous sex in the Tudors, but we were more interested in telling this story.”

When it came to the brothers played by Clive and Travis, Clive Standen said, “Rollo could easily have been written as a neanderthal, what Michael did was create so many layers for him. It’s about choices and Rollo has many choices to make.” Adding that “Once you have a character in the grey it’s easy to run with it.”

Travis Fimmel said, “I think it’s very interesting that there’s so much conflict to win the heart of a beautiful woman. It’s a real struggle with having and being brothers.”

Vikings has characters based on real characters from history Clive Standen said “Once you start looking and doing research there’s just massive amounts of stuff there. I think really we’re kind of the first to do so in a TV show rather than a film.” He continued saying, “apparently when I was 11 I had to write a scrapbook and I did a whole section on a statue of Rollo and I just found that this morning.”

Michael Hirst added, “Everything connects.”

Katheryn Winnick who is amazing as Lagertha talked about getting cast in the series, “I have a martial arts background and started training at Tai kwon do at 7. So, I was looking for a role with the spirt of combat and strength and be well written.”

“We had difficulty casting the lead roles, we were offered pretty British actors.” Michael said, “and I thought most of these guys couldn’t life an ax. We waited and looked for a long time. We needed the reassurance that the actors could be comfortable with that.”

Jessalyn Gilsig talked about the differences about being on Glee and Vikings, “I don’t know how long Terri Schuster would last!” with a laugh,

“This is why you become an actor to be absorbed by an ensemble. To me this show has been such a dialogue by the entire company. In that sense we know it’s a precious moment. Lightning in a bottle.”

George Blagden who plays Athelstan talked about playing a monk and being relevant for modern times, “When you’re working with historical fiction it’s important to be as relevant as possible.”

He added, “It’s fascinating how much we have in common with the Vikings now. I didn’t research a lot about the Vikings because I wanted to learn from these guys but went to Northern Ireland and went to the ruins of the actual monastery. It was great to get into that zone.”

“George was the first person we cast.” Michael said, “We were looking for someone who looked like a monk.” To which everyone laughed,

“We wanted someone with who the audience would have a huge sympathy. The monk represents the modern audience and carries a lot of assumptions the audience would have about the Vikings.”

The panel was very good and they also showed a nice behind the scenes clip reel that the panel also got to see for the first time. It was cute seeing them turn around and try to watch it themselves.

After the panel the cast came down and greeted the audience member and honestly everyone was so nice. We were given screening programs on the way in and I brought my mini poster and the presskit shaped like the shield as well.

Clive saw the shield and said, “That’s ragnar’s shield!” LOL, apparently I need to get more versed in who’s shield is who’s. lol… The cast was very specific about it. I have to say, everyone was so kind.

Michael Hirst took the time to sign my mini poster and of course everyone wanted Travis.

he was trying to pose for a photo with me for a few minutes and everyone kept jumping in and I was like, “Oh, that’s fine until he finally said, “I’m getting the big guy next.”

Katheryn saw the shield and was like, “That’s my shield!” lol… and Gustaf Skarsgard was so funny. He signed out stuff but he left before we could get photos.

Then George was hanging out with everyone, and said, “Oh we met earlier, hi I’m George.” I was like hi!

He signed a few things for Billy’s sister who is a fan of everything and then we got photos with him.

At the reception, Gustaf Skarsgard came down and we were able to get a proper photo

as well as Katheryn Winnick.

It was such a fun night and Billy had a drink,

I was able to hang with Daria and Mike and Erica and it was a a great way to celebrate the series.

I also might have snagged an extra program signed by Travis Fimmel thanks to Erica, which might be great for an upcoming contest if you all are interested!

Thanks again guys!

Until next time kids…