Golden Globe®-winner Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Canadians Kris Holden-Ried and Adam Copeland Join Season Five
New and Immersive VIKINGS VR App Launches with HISTORY's Must-See Interactive Booth at Fan Expo Canada
ET Canada Takes Viewers to the Vikings Set in Ireland in All-New Special Featuring Exclusive Interviews and Behind-the-Scenes Footage
Watch the Just-Released Season Five Trailer on HISTORY Canada's Facebook Page
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TORONTO, July 21, 2017 /CNW/ - The corruption, revenge, and bloodshed are imminent. Announced tonight from San Diego Comic-Con International, the two-hour, season five premiere of the year's #1 Specialty Entertainment program* Vikings airs Wednesday, November 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HISTORY. Unveiled during the Vikings cast panel this evening, an exclusive trailer of the new season is now available on HISTORY Canada's Facebook page.
In support of the new season, Corus Entertainment also announced VIKINGS VR – a wholly original virtual reality app that will transport viewers inside the drama for the first time. Launching in conjunction with Fan Expo Canada (August 31-September 3), the app offers an immersive, in-world 360° experience where users are enveloped into thrilling scenes filmed on the set of Vikings and starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Alex Høgh Andersen, Peter Franzén, and many more key cast members. The exclusive VR scenes include: an intense battle in Kattegat; an argument about war strategy between Ragnar's sons; a prophecy from the mystical Seer; and a vow of vengeance by Bishop Heahmund (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) – plus behind-the-scenes content.
"This series has a fiercely loyal and dedicated fan base and they're hungry for more content that can make them feel a part of the Vikings tribe," said Daniel Eves, Senior Vice President of Specialty Networks, Corus Entertainment. "Following the tremendous success of the immersive website Vikings: A World Revealed, we're thrilled to augment the virtual Vikings experience while also elevating the brand across this emerging platform."
Fans can visit the eye-catching and expansive HISTORY booth at Fan Expo Canada to experience VIKINGS VR and receive a collectible Vikings-branded Cardboard VR viewer. The app is free and available beginning August 31 exclusively in Canada on the iTunes App Store and on Google Play with multiple ways to enjoy the 360° experience, including Cardboard VR viewers, VR headsets, YouTube, Facebook, and Littlstar. Corus has developed and commissioned VIKINGS VR in association with Vikings producers Take 5 Productions and Thinkingbox, a leading agency that specializes in digital VR content.
Season five of the multiple Emmy® Award-nominated series begins with Ivar the Boneless (Alex Høgh Andersen) asserting his leadership over the Great Heathen Army, while Lagertha (Canadian Katheryn Winnick) reigns as Queen of Kattegat. Ivar's murder of his brother Sigurd (David Lindström) sets the stage for vicious battles to come as Ragnar's (Travis Fimmel) sons plot their next moves after avenging their father's death. Bjorn (B.C.-native Alexander Ludwig) follows his destiny into the Mediterranean Sea and Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) who is suffering from the loss of his wife Helga (Maude Hirst), takes to the seas submitting himself to the will of the gods. This season is full of startling alliances and unbelievable betrayals as the Vikings fight to rule the world.
As previously announced, Golden Globe® Award-winner Jonathan Rhys Meyers joins the cast as the pivotal character, Heahmund, a warrior bishop. Ontario-native Kris Holden-Ried (Lost Girl) will appear throughout the season as the character Eyvind, an important warrior in Kattegat who decides to travel and settle his family in a new land. Canadian Adam Copeland (Haven) plays Kietill Flatnose, a fierce and brave warrior chosen to be one of the leaders of the Viking party intent on travelling to Iceland. Canadian directors this season include David Wellington (Rookie Blue), Daniel Grou (19-2), and Jeff Woolnough (The Expanse).
In advance of the premiere, ET Canada heads to Ireland and takes viewers behind-the-scenes of Vikings with an in-depth special featuring exclusive, on-set interviews with the cast, and sneak peeks of what's to come this season. Broadcast details will be announced at a later date.
Vikings is the critically acclaimed series from creator and sole writer Michael Hirst (Elizabeth, The Tudors) and is a family saga that tells the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of the raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages. Hirst serves as executive producer along with Morgan O'Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo, The Tudors), Sheila Hockin (The Tudors, The Borgias), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (The Tudors, The Borgias), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer and James Flynn (The Tudors, The Borgias).
Vikings is an international Canada/Ireland co-production by Take 5 Productions and TM Productions Limited. HISTORY broadcasts both domestically in Canada and the U.S. MGM Television is the worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada. Vikings is produced in association with Corus Entertainment.
Fans can catch up on past seasons of Vikings on HISTORY.ca, HISTORY on Demand, HISTORY Go app, and iTunes.
Source: Numeris PPM Data, Total Canada, Broadcast YTD (8/29/2016 – 7/9/2017), AMA (000), Canadian Commercial Specialty English, excluding sports. A25-54 and A18-49, program rankers based on 3+ airings
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About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that creates and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company's portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses 45 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children's book publishing, animation software, technology and media services. Corus' roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic, Q107, CKNW, Fresh Radio, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.
SOURCE Corus Entertainment Inc.
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