VIKINGS

Mediterranean odyssey

SIX EPISODE | 4K HISTORICAL ADVENTURE SERIES

Sail Beyond the Sagas: The Untold Journey of Vikings in the Mediterranean

VIKINGS

Mediterranean odyssey

Sail Beyond the Saga: The Untold Journey of Vikings in the Mediterranean

Driven by pop cultural interest; scientists, archeologists, and experimental researchers are taking a new interdisciplinary investigative approach to Viking history. It’s uncovering a new understanding of Viking culture.

Everything we thought we knew about Vikings is changing.

"Viking Odyssey" Season II sets sail with the new Draken crew into the less-charted waters of the Viking Mediterranean, uncovering forgotten battle sites, legendary figures, and the cross-cultural influences that resonate to this day. From Haugesund to Istanbul, every port is a keyhole into a bygone world of fearless Norse seafarers, clashing civilizations, and timeless tales of valor. With a new female Viking captain and a crew destined for adventure the ship will take on challenge ancient and new.

After conquering audiences with its riveting journey across the Atlantic, "Viking Odyssey" is back to raise the stakes and the sails. Season 2 takes our modern-day Draken and its intrepid crew through the Mediterranean's labyrinthine history. From Norway's icy fjords to the sun-soaked coasts of North Africa, the series dives into legendary battles, breathtaking archeological sites, and the intriguing hypothesis that Viking descendants may have unwittingly been the explorers in Columbus's crew. Scholarly insights, high-stakes real life re-enactments, and good old Norse audacity coalesce into a six-episode saga you won't want to miss.

The story starts with one person, Sigurd Aase, imagining building a sailing replica of history’s largest known Viking ​exploration ship.

Beyond the history, science, and adventure, the series reveals the stories of the characters who rearrange their normal lives ​and leave the regular world behind to live the dream, and sometimes nightmare, of adventure. It reveals more than anything ​the wit and wisdom of history’s most epic adventurers.

It’s a journey to a legendary place. The only way to get there is an adventure.

backstory

The “Viking Age,” roughly 750-1050 CE/AD, is usually associated with the raids or wholesale movement of people from Scandinavia along the coasts of western and Atlantic Europe. Few associate the same Norse populations with Eastern Europe (the Rus), although they have had a comparably significant role in the political history of that part of the world. Fewer still, however, are aware of the dominant Norse presence in the Mediterranean.

Individually and in groups, Scandinavians were raiders, mercenaries, merchants, and—in some cases—settlers in the lands surrounding the “Middle Sea” (Miðjarðarhav). Many traces of this presence and the ensuing interaction remain to this day from Spain to North Africa, to the Holyland, seen in the material culture and the flow of objects between southern and northern Europe. These traces are visible in historical accounts, linguistics, iconography, and even in the social changes within the communities that took part in this exchange. This evidence is now being explored by scholars, scientists, researchers, and adventurers.

Swords, Sails, and Secrets: Unearthing the Viking Mediterranean

In this six-part limited series, the recreated Viking ship Draken embarks on a new adventure. With each episode framed around a key location and character from Viking history, the series also features expert interviews, visits to modern museums and universities, and exploration of historic sites. All the while, challenges and conflicts akin to what the Vikings would have faced keep the journey precarious and thrilling.

The Ultimate Quest: Purpose and Theme of Draken's Mediterranean Odyssey

Mediterranean—the cradle of civilizations, theater of epic battles, and now, the upcoming stage for Draken's maritime odyssey. But what's the driving force behind this saga? What ties together the various vignettes of Viking valor, treacherous seas, and age-old mysteries into a cohesive, binge-worthy narrative?

Purpose:

1. Educational Enlightenment: One cannot overstate the intrigue of unlocking a chapter of Viking history often overshadowed by their escapades in the British Isles and the North Atlantic. The series will seek to educate the viewer about the Vikings' lesser-known but equally compelling expeditions into the Mediterranean world.

2. Adventure and Exploration: A journey on the open sea is a tale as old as time. From Odysseus to Magellan, the lure of the unknown has propelled humanity into the abyss. This series aims to recapture that thrill, this time through the lens of Viking exploration.

3. Cultural Confluence: The Mediterranean is a melting pot, a nautical crossroad of diverse civilizations. Draken’s voyage will explore how the Vikings didn't just raid and trade, but also absorbed and contributed to the cultures they encountered.

4. Modern Echoes: The series will contrast historical narrative with contemporary geopolitics, drawing parallels and highlighting differences. This makes history palpable, showcasing how ancient events can reverberate through the corridors of time.

Theme:

1. The Quest for Glory and Survival: At the heart of every Viking saga lies a quest—sometimes for treasure, sometimes for new lands, but always for glory. And yet, intertwined with this glory is the raw struggle for survival. Every victory is hard-won, every defeat a lesson learned. This duality will be a recurring theme, resonant in both history and the human condition.

2. Interconnected Worlds: As Draken sails from Norway to Istanbul, the series will explore the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations. It’s a reminder that even in an era long before globalization, our fates were intricately linked.

3. Challenging Stereotypes: Vikings in the Mediterranean? Most certainly. The series aims to shatter preconceived notions, not just about Vikings but about the so-called boundaries between cultures and civilizations.

4. Innovation and Adaptability: As the Vikings navigated unfamiliar waters and faced unforeseen challenges, they had to adapt and innovate. This theme has modern echoes, serving as a metaphor for overcoming adversity in any venture.

A voyage that's as much about discovery as it is about rediscovery; as much about the thrill of the chase as it is about the richness of the catch. "Vikings: Mediterranean Odyssey" promises a compelling journey through time, space, and the eternal complexities of the human spirit.

A New Approach to

Experts – Interdisciplinary Investigative Teams

Episode Descriptions

Episode 1: "Northern Origins"

Shoot Date: May 2024

Location: Haugesund, Norway

Setting the stage for what's to come, Episode 1 focuses on the legacy of King Harald Hairfair and the historic Battle of Hafrsfjord. Academic insights from the University of Stavanger and a visit to Oslo's Viking Ship Museum add depth.

Story Blocks: The Viking Expansion, Getting Ready to Sail

Episode 2: "The London Standoff"

Shoot Date: June 21-25

Location: London, England

We explore the invasion of England and the tactics of Halfdan Ragnarsson, key to the Battle of York and the Fall of London Bridge. A visit to the Jorvik Viking Center brings artifacts to life.

Story Blocks: Research.

Episode 3: "The Siege of Light"

Shoot Date: May 28 - June 3

Location: Paris, France

Following in the wake of Ragnar Lodbrok, the episode explores the dramatic Siege of Paris. Unexpected challenges arise as the crew pushes the Draken up the Seine.

Story Blocks: First Time in 1,000 Years, Even Today Ships Don't Normally Get This Far

Episode 4: "Iberian Lessons"

Shoot Date: Aug 17 - 29

Location: Seville, Spain

The episode delves into Hastein's quixotic battle for Nekor, Morocco and posits a link between Viking settlers in Cadiz and Columbus's New World expedition.

Story Blocks: Gateway to the East, First Big Fail

Episode 5: "Sicilian Gambit"

Shoot Date: Sep 27 - Oct 9

Location: Palermo, Italy

The focus shifts to Bjorn Ironside's audacious but ill-fated Battle of Luni. A stop in Palermo reveals how Viking influences persist in modern Italy.

Story Blocks: To Research.

Episode 6: "The Sultan & The Sea King"

Shoot Date: Oct 25-29, Nov 15-20

Location: Istanbul, Turkey

The season finale profiles Harald Sigurdsson, better known as Harald Hardrada. The episode explores his lesser-known exploits in the Mediterranean before his rise to the Norwegian throne.

Story Blocks: Proto-crusaders

Historical Context Note: The Surprising Mediterranean Saga of the Vikings - Celebrating a 1,000-year anniversary

When you imagine a Viking, the backdrop is usually a frigid Scandinavian fjord, not the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean. Yet, Vikings, those iconic Northern warriors, were far more cosmopolitan than most give them credit for. They didn't just sail around the icy waters of the North Sea; they made their mark as far south as Morocco, Italy, and even the Holy Land.

The Viking Age, roughly spanning from the late 8th to early 11th century, was a dynamic period of exploration, expansion, and war. While Viking exploits in Northern Europe are well-known and romanticized, their Mediterranean adventures are less well-understood. From Ragnar Lodbrok's Siege of Paris to Bjorn Ironside's audacious, yet bungled, attempt to sack the wealthy city of Luni, Italy—mistaking it for Rome—the Viking presence in the Mediterranean left a big mark on history.

These Norsemen weren't just raiders; they were shrewd traders, intrepid explorers, and even proto-crusaders. Their Mediterranean escapades were characterized by the same audacious spirit that drove them to discover Greenland and, likely, parts of North America. They skirmished with Moors, negotiated with Byzantines, and intermingled with various local cultures, leaving a footprint that's both surprising and historically intriguing.

By the time Harald Hardrada, who had ventured as far south as the Levant, ascended the Norwegian throne, the Viking Mediterranean legacy had already woven itself into the intricate tapestry of world history. And while they may not have left towering cathedrals or grand libraries in their southern wake, their intrepid ventures forever expanded the horizons of the known world.

Today in popular culture of TV drama, video games, and movies global audiences have been enthralled with vivid imaginings of Vikings. Our story is not about recreations, drama, or reality reconstructions. Our purpose is to translate the language and grammar of history, science, and new research into the language of a story for the global audience fascinated by these ancient adventurers.

Recent Revelations: Viking Finds in the Mediterranean

The growing field of Viking studies has thrown some curveballs that would make even the most seasoned historian sit up and take note. The Mediterranean, surprisingly, has been a hotbed for some of these recent finds, adding fascinating new layers to our understanding of Viking ventures far from their northern homelands.

Artifacts and Treasures:

Sicilian Coins: In a treasure hoard discovered in Sweden, coins from the Islamic world were not uncommon, but among them were also coins minted in Sicily. This suggests that the Vikings didn't just trade with the Islamic world but also ventured into areas that are now modern-day Italy.

Byzantine Relics: Scandinavian artifacts have turned up in excavations in Istanbul (ancient Byzantium), indicating that the Varangian Guard—Viking mercenaries who served Byzantine emperors—didn't just come to serve; they also brought their culture with them.

Archaeological Sites:

Spain's Viking Trace: In recent years, a Viking settlement was discovered near Catoira in Galicia, Spain. It's believed to be a strategic outpost for raids into Moorish territories, adding credence to the tales of Viking forays into Islamic lands.

Textual Evidence:

Arabic Accounts: Manuscripts from Arabic scholars like Ahmad ibn Fadlan have long discussed Viking-like "Rus" traders, but more recent translations reveal details about their ship design and even hygiene habits. These texts portray them as traders and explorers, rather than mere raiders.

Sagas Reconsidered: New interpretations of the Icelandic sagas, considered semi-historical accounts, suggest that the Mediterranean exploits of Vikings like Bjorn Ironside and Hastein are based on real adventures, not just mythological embellishments.

DNA Studies: Genetic Footprints: Cutting-edge genetic studies suggest a more mixed picture of Viking lineage than previously thought, including Mediterranean genetic markers in some Scandinavian populations. While not conclusive, this points to a two-way interaction between Vikings and Mediterranean cultures that went beyond mere raiding.

Recent discoveries have begun painting a more nuanced and far-reaching portrait of Viking adventures in the Mediterranean. Far from being occasional visitors, these intrepid Norsemen were engaged players in the complex geopolitical and cultural landscape of the region. It's a narrative that's far from complete, but every new find adds another surprising twist to the tale.

THE VOYAGE

The SCIENCE IN ACTION spine to the documentary is the journey of the largest authentically built Viking longship in modern times through the Mediterranean.

Each self-contained hour features the story of a team of English-speaking Nordic adventurers, along with scientists, researchers, and historians on a journey in the mysterious wake of their ancestors to the Medeteranean. From this through line we explore new discoveries and new ways of looking at the Viking era.

Over a long summer, they search for clues of history in

the largest sea-going Viking ship in 1,000 years

to sail the oceans of the world.

This series follows the crew from their home port to their most treasure-filled destinations and adds historical science to every stage of the epic journey.

Celebrity Talent Involvement: Elevating the Voyage

To elevate the sense of adventure and cultural exploration in "Viking Odyssey: The Mediterranean Saga," we're exploring the possibility of involving a celebrity talent who can frame the series in the tradition of adventure documentaries like "Long Way Up" with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman.

We’ve proven that the series can get made and sell without name-brand talent. But what would it look like if we had a name-brand star come on board?

Incorporating a known figure amplifies the project's appeal, giving audiences a familiar face to guide them through unknown territories. This addition can bring in fanbases of these actors, widening the viewership and potentially resulting in a cultural phenomenon. It also serves as a high-profile nod to other series and movies, tying in the vast and adventurous spirit inherent to seafaring stories and the odysseys of both ancient and modern worlds.

This high-profile involvement enhances the show's existing blend of history, adventure, and discovery, attracting a broader audience while offering unique storytelling dimensions that promise to make "Viking Odyssey: The Mediterranean Saga" a monumental TV event.

Potential Talent:

1. Kris Holden-Ried

Known for his role in the hit drama series "Vikings," Kris brings an air of authenticity to our journey, already having dabbled in the realm of Norse mythology and history. A passionate historian himself, Kris would provide an insightful yet entertaining guide into the Viking world, capturing the imagination of audiences who followed his previous work.

2. Joshua Jackson

The "Dawson's Creek" and "Fringe" actor has shown an adventurous spirit in his various roles and could bring a fresh, modern perspective to our voyage. Joshua's interest in history and storytelling makes him an ideal candidate to walk our audience through the complex past of Viking exploits in the Mediterranean.

3. Viggo Mortensen

The "Lord of the Rings" star is no stranger to epic quests and has a keen interest in history and cultures. His diverse background and bilingual skills could bring a unique flavor to our journey, especially as we traverse different Mediterranean cultures.

4. Alexander Skarsgård

The Swedish actor, known for "True Blood" and "Big Little Lies," has a family history of seafaring in his native Scandinavia. This link to the maritime world, combined with his acting chops, could make him an ideal candidate to host a Viking-themed journey.

5. Sig Hansen

Sig Hansen, the seasoned Norwegian-American fishing captain from "The Deadliest Catch," brings a real-world maritime expertise that few can match. Known for his gritty leadership in one of the world's most dangerous professions, Hansen offers an authentic touch that would resonate with fans of both history and high-stakes adventure.

6. Kristofer Hivju

Well-known for his role as Tormund Giantsbane in "Game of Thrones," Kristofer Hivju brings an aura of rugged adventure that fits seamlessly into the fabric of a Viking odyssey. A native Norwegian, Kristofer offers an authentic connection to the Norse world, from the snowy fjords to the Old Norse language. His charismatic on-screen presence, combined with his real-life passion for history and culture, would add a layer of gravitas and excitement to the series.