Key points
- The shocking death of Ragnar Lothbrok in
Vikings
Season four marked the most unexpected departure of a main character from the series. - Ragnar rose from peasant to king through victorious conquests across Europe, increasing his legend among other Vikings.
- Ragnar orchestrated his own death at the hands of King Ælle, securing his place in Viking legend and preparing his sons for revenge.
Premiered in 2013, the historical drama Vikings originally followed the journey of the legendary Norse hero Ragnar Lothbrok. Actor Travis Fimmel, who starred in the War film, played the character for the first four seasons. That is, until the season 4 episode “All His Angels” which depicted Ragnar's gruesome death at the hands of one of his greatest enemies, King Ælle. While the series frequently killed off major characters, it was clear from the beginning that Ragnar Lothbrok was more than just a main character, which made his death the most shocking by far.
Vikings was inspired by the adventures of legendary figures from Scandinavia during the Viking Age. Ragnar did not start out as a legend, but as a farmer trying to raise his family with his squire wife Lagertha (played by Katheryn Winnick). Ragnar's journey began with his dream of sailing west, believing that great treasures awaited him and his people on the other side of the ocean. Ragnar made several successful conquests across Europe, increasing his popularity among the people of the small community of Kattegat. By the end of season 1, Ragnar has overthrown the local leader, becoming the new Earl of Kattegat and, later, King of Denmark.
Updated by Benjamin Vieira on August 20, 2024: THE Vikings is one of the most underrated series on Netflix. Travis Fimmel played Ragnar in his breakout role and has since gone on to do a lot in film and television. However, how did his breakout character meet his end? This article has been edited to CBR's CV standards.
Ragnar Lothbrok's death was one of the most brutal on TV
He embraced death with joy in his last speech, as true warriors should do.
Vikings Date of the premiere |
March 3, 2013 |
Vikings End date |
December 30, 2020 |

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After being betrayed by his older brother Rollo's defection to West Francia in Season 4, Ragnar was filled with rage. He decided to raid Paris to teach his brother a lesson. However, Rollo was fully prepared for Ragnar's attack and was able to repel Ragnar's forces. Ragnar returned to Scandinavia, humiliated, and decided to leave Kattegat, isolating himself from everyone and living as a recluse for years. He emerged a changed man, resentful that his best days were behind him. Sources emphasize the importance of being industrious in Viking society. A person deemed lazy was often looked down upon as inferior, something Ragnar Lothbrok would not have suffered. Upon his return to Kattegat, Ragnar realized he had one choice left: to take his life, or rather, his death, into his own hands, to maintain the respect of his people.
I am glad to hear that Odin is preparing for a feast. Soon I will drink beer from curved horns. This hero who enters Valhalla does not lament his death! I will not enter Odin's hall with fear. There I will wait for my sons to join me. And when they do, I will bask in their tales of triumph. The Aesir will welcome me! My death comes without excuse! And I welcome the Valkyries to call me home!
—Ragnar Lothbrok, Vikings, Season 4, Episode 15, “All His Angels”
Ragnar travels to England one last time, so that he can die on his own terms. He went to Wessex and surrendered to King Ecbert, and was presented as a prisoner to King Ælle. However, Vikings revealed that Ragnar's plan all along was to die at the hands of King Ælle, so that his sons could return and take terrible revenge on his rivals. Not only would he die of his own free will, but he would also be immortalized as a Viking legend.
After being tortured for days by Ælle, An unperturbed Ragnar finally crossed the gates of Valhalla when he was thrown into a pit filled with poisonous snakes. Ragnar's death in Season 4, Episode 15, left the audience speechless, who were not expecting Vikings to kill off its main character. Those familiar with the lore knew what to expect, as the way Ragnar dies in legend is done almost to the letter in the TV series, but it was still difficult to see the beloved hero die. That said, it was a staple of the series to demonstrate the purpose of a glorious death, a sacrifice for the entire community.
Season 1, Episode 8, “Sacrifice,” was the first real demonstration of this concept. As everyone made a pilgrimage to Uppsala to thank the gods for their generosity, Ragnar found himself torn by the thought of sacrificing his slave, the priest Athelstan, who had become his dearest friend over the years. When Lagertha lost their unborn child, Ragnar couldn't help but think that he had angered the gods, and such a noble sacrifice would be enough to appease them and change his fate. However, his emotional attachment to Athelstan made it impossible for him to give him up, and in the long run, the entire community suffered the consequences.
The death of Ragnar Lothbrok has served its purpose for the Vikings
His lineage has carried on his legacy
Vikings Franchise Ratings |
|||
---|---|---|---|
IMDb Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating |
Stream |
|
Vikings |
8.5/10 |
93% |
Netflix |
Vikings: Valhalla |
7.3/10 |
95% |
Netflix |
Ragnar Lothbrok was an intelligent man and one of his defining characteristics was the way he took control of life and the world around him. Something happened to Ragnar after Floki killed Athelstan, whom he deeply loved and respected. Despite their cultural and religious differences, Ragnar was respectful and curious about Athelstan's faith and, over time, this significantly altered his viewpoint. Without Athelstan there to guide him, Ragnar suffered a severe crisis of faith that ultimately caused him to derail and wander in search of himself.
Upon his return, he had changed significantly and, tired of the constant battle within, he traveled to Ecbert, fully intent on dying. While Ælle felt triumphant at finally freeing Britain from the Scandinavian threat that had plagued its shores for decades, he ultimately did not truly achieve victory over Ragnar because he wanted to die. His death would be the final straw for his sons, who would return to England to decimate the combined forces of King Ælle and King Ecbert. Each of them Ragnar's sons continued to live their legendary adventureswith their stories becoming the new focus of Vikings in seasons 5 and 6.
Ragnar Lothbrok appears in traditional Icelandic literature, where he is considered a legendary figure. However, he is often connected to real historical events and figures. This combination of myth and history has created several tales about his life and, more importantly, his death. One of the tales about Ragnar's death is the story of the snake pit used in the series. Another tale tells that Ragnar dies of a mysterious illness shortly after fighting the Franks. It was adapted into the third season of Vikingsin which Ragnar asked the Franks to baptize him and bury him within the gates of Paris, so he could sack the city from within.
While the show has not always been historically accurate, Vikings has succeeded in introducing the deeds of Ragnar Lothbrok and many other Scandinavian heroes to the world's audiences. A sequel series called Vikings: Valhalla debuted in 2022, introducing new characters and stories from the Viking Age. But will any of them be as popular as Ragnar Lothbrok, and will any of them meet shocking ends like his?
What has Travis Fimmel done outside of the Vikings?
Fimmel has been involved in various film and television projects
Travis Fimmel Notable Movies/Series |
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---|---|---|---|
IMDb Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating |
Stream |
|
War |
6.7/10 |
29% |
Fubo TV |
Kandahar |
6.1/10 |
45% |
Streaming Movies |
Dune: Prophecy |
Soon |
N/A |
While he is certainly best known for his work in VikingsTravis Fimmel has begun to build an impressive career outside of the series. Both during his time on the show and well afterward, Fimmel has starred in several notable films and series, as well as some exciting upcoming projects tied to major franchises. While audiences may have been heartbroken by Ragnar's death in season 4 of VikingsTravis Fimmel has more to offer in his career than just one character. Ragnar set him up for success, but now the actor is ready to take flight in new films, series, and franchises.
War
One of Travis Fimmel's first major attempts at joining a popular franchise was in 2016 Warcraft role-playing game. Centered on the fictional world of the video game series of the same name, War follows the rising tensions between orcs and humans, who are forced to unite to prevent an invasion. Fimmel plays Anduin, a human warrior who strives to keep his people from going to war. While the actor gives an admirable performance, the film was not particularly successful at the box office, making a War the sequel seems unlikely.
Kandahar
Kandahar is a 2023 war film that purports to be based on the true story of an undercover CIA agent, played by Gerard Butler, who finds himself stranded behind enemy lines in Afghanistan. Butler's action hero is forced to fight his way to an extraction point if he is to survive. In the film, Travis Fimmel plays Roman Chalmers, a CIA agent who first recruits Butler's character for a dangerous mission and eventually joins him to fight his way to the extraction point.
Dune: Prophecy
Fimmel will also appear in the next Dune spin-off series, Dune: Prophecy. The series is set years before the events of the first film and follows the conniving Benet Gesserit sisterhood as they consolidate power in the galaxy. Fimmel will play the character of Desmond Heart in the series, which is airing exclusively on Max later this year.