'Vikings' Season 4 Gets Expanded Order, February Premiere

History’s Vikings had plundered bounty enough when Season 4 was announced to reach 16 episodes, up from the prior 10, and now Ragnar Lothbrok has gone mad with power. Not only has Season 4 been upped to a full 20 episodes, but so too do we have our February premiere.

Per the network’s official announcement, Vikings Season 4 will premiere on February 18, albeit with a catch. The 16-episode order has indeed jumped to 20, though Season 4 will air a split season, running its first ten episodes, and setting the second half for a later date this year.

So reads the official Vikings Season 4 synopsis, complete with Season 3 spoilers:

Season three culminated with the extraordinary battle in Paris, where Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) seized victory from the jaws of defeat – but still returns to Kattegat dangerously ill. Thoughts of his death galvanize the forces who seek to succeed him as king, including his wife Queen Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) and his oldest son, Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig). Meanwhile, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) continues power struggles with her calculating, former second in command, Kalf (Ben Robson); Rollo (Clive Standen) betrays his Vikings heritage by remaining in Frankia and Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) is seized for his brutal actions to the Christian priest Athelstan.
Joining the stellar cast this season is Peter Franzén (The Gunman) as “King Harold Finehair,” a complex character who seeks to be King of Norway and a potential threat to Ragnar; Jasper Pääkkönen (Jet Trash) as “Halfdan The Black,” King Harold’s violent younger brother; and Dianne Doan (“Descendants”) as “Yidu,” a completely different character within the world of the Vikings who fascinates Ragnar.

We’ll likely have additional footage beyond the Comic-Con trailer above soon, so stay tuned for the latest on Vikings’ super-sized season 4.

Check Out 100 TV Facts You May Not Know!