All eyes are now on Ivar the Boneless (Alex Høgh Andersen) as “Vikings” fans await the show’s return. Ivar now has the taste of blood after killing his brother Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye (David Lindström), but it remains to be seen if he thirsts for more or folds in anguish.

Spoiler alert: This article contains plot details about “Vikings” season 5. An official announcement has yet to be made regarding the air date of the season premiere. Episodes from the series’ previous seasons are available for Australian viewers to watch on SBS.

According to the show’s creator Michael Hirst, “Vikings” season 5 begins with Sigurd’s burial. Unfortunately for the remaining Lothbrok brothers, his death splits them up into different camps. And Ivar isn’t going to be able to easily brush aside the pangs of guilt for accidentally killing his brother.

The title of Ragnar’s one true heir is up for grabs. It was actually apparent during the last few instalments of season 4 that a conflict between Ivan and Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig) was about to erupt, but things are only going to escalate next season. Hirst likewise mentioned that the brothers are going to be “at each other’s throats.”

“Viking society is all about winning and being famous, and it’s very aggressive and ambitious, so you kind of know they’re going to be in conflict with each other,” Hirst told Variety. “To be a son of Ragnar [is] the biggest calling card in the Viking world. Almost immediately after they succeed in revenging their father, they pave the way to, essentially, world war.”

“Vikings” season 4 saw many of the show’s incredible characters like Ragnar and Ecbert meet their demise, but they were done methodically. The two characters’ drunken discussion about the afterlife and Athelstan’s death was beautiful to watch. With Ragnar and Ecbert now gone, a huge void is left for the showrunners to fill.

“Vikings” season 5 episode 1 will likely have a November air date, considering the fact that the History series averages nine months per break, including the season 4A and season 4B interval. Of course, the showrunners may decide to air it earlier or later than November, but one thing is for sure: “Vikings” will be back before the year ends. Alex Høgh Andersen himself said in an Instagram post that the show is returning “later this year.”

“Vikings” season 5 is also going to have 20 episodes, just like season 4. The season is also likely to be divided into two parts as well.

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