History has a scored a few big ratings hits this season, and though its first scripted drama Vikings has not even finished its inaugural run, the cable network has already renewed it for a 10-episode second season.  According to the network, Vikings has been the #1 new cable series in 2013 in terms of viewership, even in its competitive Sunday night slot, averaging around five million viewers.  I reviewed the series as it first aired and found it compelling, especially in the weeks before another gritty period drama, Game of Thrones, returned — although Vikings certainly has its own merits.  Hit the jump for more.

The History original drama series Vikings follows the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), an actual historical figure who was the greatest hero of his age.  Telling the gripping sagas of Ragnar’s band of Viking brothers and his family, he rose to become a fearless warrior and King of the Viking tribes, and legend has it that he was a direct descendent of Odin, the god of war and warriors.

During this recent exclusive phone interview with Collider, actor Clive Standen (who plays Ragnar’s jealous brother, Rollo, a fearsome warrior with a wild, impulsive streak) talked about how he came to be a part of the show, that he originally auditioned for the role of Ragnar, what it’s been like to work with show creator Michael Hirst (The Tudors), how he views Rollo as a man, and that his background in stunt work and sword fighting really helped him with this role.  He also talked about what it was like to be a part of the Doctor Who legacy (he was on during David Tennant’s time as the Doctor), what gets him excited about a project, and that he’d love to do an Errol Flynn biopic.  Check out what he had to say after the jump.

HISTORY has announced their cast for the scripted series, Vikings. Hoping to bank on the success of HBO’s Game of Thrones, writer Michael Hirst (The Tudors) created the series based on real life figures of Scandanavian history.  The story follows the family saga and rise to power of Ragnar Lothbrok, a great hero who pushed the limits of exploration and rose to become King of the Viking tribes.  Gabriel Byrne and George Blagden are joined by Travis Fimmel, Jessalyn Gilsig, Gustaf Skarsgard, Clive Standen and Katheryn Winnick. Hit the jump for the full press release.