Ragnar’s Return Shocks Fans, Travis Fimmel, Gustaf Skarsgård, and George Blagden Face Odin’s Wrath in Netflix’s ‘The Raven’s Oath’ This Fall…

 

Ragnar’s Return Shocks Fans: Travis Fimmel, Gustaf Skarsgård, and George Blagden Face Odin’s Wrath in Netflix’s ‘The Raven’s Oath’ This Fall

 

By Erik Thorson, Entertainment Correspondent

 

The gods aren’t finished with the sons of Ragnar just yet. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Norse fan community and reignited the fervor of Vikings devotees worldwide, Netflix has officially announced the upcoming historical-fantasy limited series The Raven’s Oath, set to premiere this fall. The surprise twist? Ragnar Lothbrok is back—and not as a memory, dream, or hallucination.

 

Travis Fimmel reprises his iconic role as the legendary Viking warrior, leading a narrative that dives headlong into the mystical and mythological—far beyond the boundaries of history, deep into the realm of the gods. Alongside him, Gustaf Skarsgård returns as the brilliant yet tormented Floki, and George Blagden reprises his role as the conflicted priest-turned-warrior Athelstan. Together, they must navigate a brutal landscape torn between Midgard and Asgard, where fate is carved not only in stone, but in blood.

 

A Story Reborn: Beyond Valhalla

 

The Raven’s Oath picks up decades after Ragnar’s fateful fall into King Aelle’s snake pit—a death that symbolized both the climax of his mortal journey and the start of a spiritual saga. But as the new series reveals, death is not the end. It is a passage.

 

In this supernatural reimagining, Ragnar awakens not in Valhalla, but in a liminal plane—an echo of the mortal world suspended between realms. Here, ravens circle endlessly, bearing secrets and omens. The gods are not pleased. Odin’s wrath, once distant and unknowable, now descends with fury upon those who have defied their destinies.

 

The gods have called Ragnar to account. His rebellious path, his defiance of fate, and his flirtation with Christianity through his bond with Athelstan have created ripples in the fabric of Yggdrasil itself. The cost? The unraveling of both the gods’ power and Midgard’s balance.

 

Floki, now a half-mad prophet and bridge between the realms, must lead Ragnar through the nine worlds to uncover the source of the divine discord. But they are not alone. Athelstan, raised into a spiritual being by the Christian God, stands at the crossroads—torn between the man he was and the god he may become.

 

The Return of a Legend: Fimmel Reclaims Ragnar

 

Fans have long speculated about Travis Fimmel’s return to the Vikings universe. Since his departure in Season 4, the show never quite regained its initial spark, despite strong performances from the sons of Ragnar. Now, in The Raven’s Oath, Fimmel’s resurrection is not just a casting decision—it’s the central pillar of a story that dares to rewrite myth.

 

Speaking at Netflix’s TUDUM fan event, Fimmel shared, “Ragnar was always a man chasing meaning in a world of chaos. This time, the chaos is cosmic. He’s not just fighting kings—he’s fighting gods. And the cost of losing is eternity.”

 

Early footage hints at a more weathered, introspective Ragnar—still feral in battle, but tempered by grief and the weight of legacy. Fans can expect the classic unpredictability and intensity that made Fimmel’s portrayal iconic, but with a spiritual edge that delves deeper into his inner conflicts.

 

Skarsgård’s Floki: Prophet or Pawn?

 

Gustaf Skarsgård’s return as Floki promises one of the most compelling arcs in the series. Last seen vanishing into the icy shadows of Iceland, Floki is reborn as a seer of unsettling visions. He believes the gods have chosen him as a guide, but what if he’s merely a pawn in Odin’s intricate game?

 

“It’s Floki unhinged—but also more grounded in his belief than ever,” Skarsgård revealed in a recent interview. “He’s trying to piece together the meaning of fate, of godhood, and of friendship—especially with Ragnar. There’s love there, and betrayal. It’s a storm.”

 

Floki’s relationship with the divine is fraught with fear and fascination. Now, tasked with leading Ragnar through the shifting corridors of the World Tree, his faith will be tested beyond all mortal measure.

 

George Blagden’s Athelstan: The Light and the Shadow

 

Arguably the heart of the original Vikings series, Athelstan’s spiritual tug-of-war between pagan and Christian ideologies created one of the show’s most emotionally resonant storylines. In The Raven’s Oath, that conflict intensifies. Athelstan returns as an ethereal force—neither alive nor dead, neither saint nor heretic.

 

“I’ve always seen Athelstan as the bridge between worlds,” Blagden said. “This time, he is the bridge.”

 

His reunion with Ragnar is bound to be one of the most emotional moments of the series. Yet, as Ragnar seeks answers, he may find that Athelstan has become something far more enigmatic—and dangerous—than he remembers.

 

Odin’s Judgment

 

While much of the series is shrouded in mystery, one detail has fans buzzing: the wrath of Odin. Far from the distant Allfather of myth, Odin will appear as a central antagonist—his motives clouded, his presence terrifying. Netflix has yet to reveal the actor portraying Odin, but rumors suggest a major Hollywood name has taken on the role.

 

According to the showrunners, The Raven’s Oath is not about good vs. evil. It’s about consequences. Ragnar, Floki, and Athelstan each made choices that shaped the course of their world. Now the gods are collecting their debts.

 

Norse Fantasy Meets Prestige Drama

 

Shot across Iceland, Norway, and the Scottish Highlands, The Raven’s Oath blends grounded Viking grit with sweeping mythological grandeur. Showrunner Ingrid Rúnarsdóttir describes it as The Leftovers meets The Northman—philosophical, violent, and strangely beautiful.

 

“History ends. Myth begins,” Rúnarsdóttir teased. “This series is what happens when men touch the divine—and bleed for it.”

 

The series will span six hour-long episodes, culminating in a trial before the gods themselves. Will Ragnar ascend, perish, or be cast into the void? Will Floki unravel the secret behind the world’s unraveling? And will Athelstan remain a bridge—or become a wall?

 

The Verdict from the Fans

 

Since the announcement, social media has been ablaze with reactions. Hashtags like #RagnarReturns and #RavensOath have trended worldwide, and Reddit forums are filled with theories about time travel, Valhalla politics, and who the true villain might be—Odin, Loki, or fate itself.

 

Whether you’re a Vikings purist or a new viewer drawn by the mysticism of Norse myth, The Raven’s Oath promises a wild, thought-provoking ride through the fog-shrouded edges of legend.

 

 

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The Raven’s Oath premieres exclusively on Netflix this fall. Skål.