History Channel Goes All-Out Fiction for ‘Vikings’

Well, if The "History" Channel can make entirely speculative work like 'Ancient Aliens,' how long could it really be before they just started making things up? The network is about to make its first foray into scripted television with an upcoming 10-episode drama based on the world of Vikings.Deadline TV announces that The History Channel has committed to the historical drama 'Vikings,' a 10-episode drama from MGM TV and 'The Tudors' and 'Camelot' creators Michael Hirst and Morgan O’Sullivan.  The series had been announced for development a year ago, but was only picked up by The History Channel recently.

Set to debut in 2013, ' Vikings' follows actual historical figure Ragnar Lothbrok, considered to be the greatest hero of his age. The series tells the sagas of Ragnar’s band of Viking brothers and his family, as he rises to become King of the Viking tribes. As well as being a fearless warrior, Ragnar embodies the Norse traditions of devotion to the gods. According to the report, "legend has it that he was a direct descendent of Odin, the god of war and warriors."

Says History Channel general manager Nancy Dubuc of the announcement, This is an amazing crossroads for History embarking on our first scripted series. People think they know about the Vikings – we see references to them all the time in our popular culture from TV commercials to football teams – but the reality is so much more fascinating and complex, more vivid, visceral and powerful than popular legend.”  The series will reportedly also feature "a polished, stylized look that pushes the boundaries of television drama” and “will feature “imaginatively choreographed battles that emphasize individual points of view, strategies and ruses rather than mindless, graphic slaughter.”

Mindless graphic slaughter, ay?  Someone taking a dig at ol' 'Spartacus: Vengeance?'  How about we challenge Ragnar to a good old-fashioned gladiator smack-down, and then we'll see what's what!

What say you?  Are you interested to see The History Channel's first foray into scripted drama, or does 'Vikings' sound a bit, no pun intended, old hat these days!  Pillage your comments in the section below, and stay tuned for the latest news on 'Vikings!'