Vikings: Why Did Travis Fimmel Really Leave The Series? - Daily Express

Vikings: Why did Travis Fimmel really leave the series? (Image: HISTORY/GETTY)

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One of the most shocking moments in the Vikings series was the death of Ragnar Lothbrok (played by Travis Fimmel) in season four. Killed in a pit of poisonous snakes, fans were left shocked by the mid-season twist for the main character. But what did actor Travis Fimmel really think about the death?

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Why did Travis Fimmel really leave the series?

Ragnar Lothbrok was a fan-favourite in the History series before he met a grisly end in season four.

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Fans will remember him as the legendary Viking ruler who ruled Denmark and Sweden.

Appearing from the first episode of the History channel show, Vikings followed Lothbrok’s life in the opening seasons.

However, in season four, episode 13, he was held in a cage in the forest before he was dropped into a pit of poisonous snakes.

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Vikings: Why did Travis Fimmel really leave the series? (Image: HISTORY)

His death came at the hands of King Aelle (Blakeley Kaye) while watched by another of his rivals, King Ecbert (Linus Roache).

Viewers familiar with the saga Vikings is based on also knew the character would have to die at some point.

In historical records from the Norse period, it is suggested that he died at some point between 852 and 856 during his travels along the Irish Sea.

However, this did not stop many fans being shocked by his death in the series when it came.

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Vikings: Ragnar Lothbrok was killed in season 4 (Image: HISTORY)

Although actor Travis Fimmel actually revealed that Lothbrok was supposed to die much earlier on.

He told Entertainment Weekly: “I was meant to die at the end of the first year.

“I ended up staying around for three more.”

As a result, the actor spoke about how grateful he was to appear in the television series and was happy to leave.

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Vikings season 6: What will happen next? (Image: HISTORY)

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He added: “I was meant to be doing another movie before Vikings came on.

“Had to go and live in Ireland and play in the mud. It was great. It’s been so beneficial to me. I miss the people tremendously.”

Since leaving the show, the Australian actor has gone on to appear in films like Lean on Pete and is currently filming new sci-fi series Raised by Wolves.

Creator Michael Hirst also told the publication, it was important for the show to become an inter-generational drama and to do this it was necessary to kill Lothbrok off.

READ MORE: Vikings season 6: Will Rollo return for the final season?

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Vikings season 6: Will Rollo return? (Image: HISTORY)

Hirst said: “Ragnar is now a part of history, a part of our history. I was never afraid of killing him off, but I wanted the death to be monumental.”

The show has since picked up on this, instead following the story of Ragnar’s sons, Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) and Ivar the Boneless (Alexander Hogh Andersen).

Season six is expected to continue when it returns at some point in November.

Not much has been revealed yet about what will happen in the new outing but some hints have been revealed.

Creator Hirst revealed to Nerdist that they will be expanding out onto the Silk Road and outside of Europe in the new outing.

Vikings season 6 is expected to return in November on History in the US and Amazon Prime in the UK.

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