Vikings Explained: Why Did Ida Marie Nielsen Leave As Margrethe?

Vikings: Ubbe offers to share Margrethe with Hvitserk

Vikings season six part two should hopefully air on Prime Video and the History Channel before the end of 2020. The final instalment will see Ivar the Boneless (played by Alex Høgh Andersen) face the consequences of his actions leading up to the Rus battle. Fans are keen to find out more about why actress Ida Marie Nielsen left the series as Margrethe.

Why did Ida Marie Nielsen leave Vikings as Margrethe?

Margrethe was introduced in season four of Vikings as one of Aslaug's (Alyssa Sutherland) slaves, and she became a shared lover to Ragnar's (Travis Fimmel) sons.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

She was first attracted to Ubbe (Jordan Patrick Smith), but when Ivar saw the pair together he wanted her to himself.

Margrethe then partnered with Ubbe and Ivar's other brothers - Hvitserk (Marco Ilsø) and Sigurd (David Lindström), and they arrange for Margrethe to spend a night with their "crippled" brother Ivar.

Ivar became insecure when he realised he could not 'perform' as Margrethe had expected him to, and he became a laughing stock amongst his other brothers.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

Ivar had threatened to kill her if she ever told his brothers what had happened, and he continued to taunt her due to her deceit.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

 

READ MORE: Vikings recap: How did Margrethe in Vikings die?

Vikings: Ida Marie Nielsen as Margrethe (Image: History)

Vikings: Margrethe wanted to be queen (Image: Sky)

• Vikings season 6, episode 11 release date: When does Vikings return?

She ended up marrying Ubbe as she wanted to become the queen of Kattegat, and her desire for power made her spiral to insanity.

Margrethe had planned to kill Ubbe's brother Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig), who was ruler of Kattegat at the time, so Ubbe could take up his position.

Realising Margrethe's intentions, Ubbe ended up falling out with her and due to her actions, she was chained up and left behind.

Hvitserk ended up rescuing her, blind to her madness, and she tried to convince Hvitserk to kill his brothers so he could be king and she could be queen.

In the end she was killed by a group of men who had presumably been sent by Ivar. She tried to escape but she had a knife thrown in her back, before suffering another fatal blow.

While some of the characters from the series are based on real historical figures, Margrethe was created especially for the show.

Vikings: Margrethe married Ubbe (Image: Sky)

No official reason has been given for why the actress left the series, but it was presumably because she was only meant to be a temporary obstacle for Ragnar's sons as they face a power struggle.

The star shared a video on her social media counts of herself crying as she discussed her character's death, so she may not have been ready to leave the series.

In October 2019 she gave fans a behind the scenes tour of the Vikings set on her Instagram account, and she welcomed fans to her "home" in Kattegat.

She said the tour had been a "trip down memory lane" as she had originally filmed the videos while she was still a part of the series.

Nielsen decided to share the videos three years later, saying she had been feeling nostalgic.

The 24-year-old has only starred in a short film after leaving the series, called Mennesker & Meninger. Before joining the cast she had taken on roles in the TV series Anna Pihl and Aftenshowet.

As she had no other projects in the pipeline, it is likely the star left the series as her character was only a supporting role.

DON'T MISS... Vikings season 6: How did the real Bjorn Ironside die? [EXPLAINER]Vikings season 6 part 2: Will Floki be reunited with Ragnar Lothbrok? [THEORY]Vikings season 6 part 2: Will Alfred the Great defeat the Vikings? [FAN DISCUSSION]

Vikings: Power drove Margrethe mad (Image: Sky)

• Vikings season 6 part 2 release date: Has Vikings season 6B delayed?

According to her Instagram, she is studying physical theatre at Scenekunst, so her studies may have taken priority.

Her most recent Vikings post was in April 2020, when she shared some photos of herself as Margrethe after she had been chained up and left.

She said: "Trailer selfies w Margrethe, she isn’t in a hopeful mood... But I most certainly am! Sending lots of loveeee and hugs and kisses [sic]."

Fans were quick to give her plenty of praise for her performance, with one commenting: "Your character was crrrraaazy played it well."

Commenting on her Instagram videos from behind the scenes, another fan said: "You are the best actress, and my reason to see Vikings."

Despite leaving the series in season five, she continues to share memories with her fans on social media and posted a photo from back in 2016 of Margrethe tied up with some pigs.

• Vikings season 6 part 2: Will Ivar redeem himself in part B?
• Vikings season 6B: Will Floki become a Christian in season 6 part 2?

She said: "Throwback to me in a piggy stall. This was by far the coldest I’ve ever been on set. I remember every 5 minutes someone on set would ask me if I was okay.. and I get it, I looked very sick (thanks to makeup and hair). But not to worry!

"Between takes I had a huge jacket and shoes on. And the lovely ladies from costume hid a lot of warm water bottles under the hay. My biggest concern were my toes.

"In one of the takes, the big mama pig was nibbling on my big toe (that’s why I’m protecting my foot in the picture above, whilst plotting my revenge)."

Margrethe was a character fans loved to hate, as she became a temporary antagonist on a mission to dethrone Bjorn and take power for herself.

She may not be returning to the series, but the actress clearly loved her time on the show, and she has plenty of memories from her experience.

Review, gossip and upcoming show releases plus selected offers and competition Subscribe Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Get More of Our News on Google

Set Daily Express as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value.

Vikings airs on History and Prime Video

• Vikings season 6b: Will Athelstan appear in Vikings season 6?
• Vikings season 6 part 2: Will Hvitserk betray Ivar in revenge attack?
• Gustaf Skarsgard: What else has Vikings star Gustaf Skarsgard been in?

Vikings (TV show) Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments Most Read Most Commented Silent Witness series 29 ending explained as real killer exposed in huge twist Unmissable new true crime series that comes with viewer warning OPINION It's time for Ed Balls to go, and here are the 5 stars who should replace him Emmerdale fans 'work out' what's wrong with Laurel and it doesn't involve Arthur 'Top five period drama' fans say 'saved my life' about to return for final season What original The Hotel Inspector Ruth Watson is doing now 18 years after quitting 'Brilliant' BBC show moves to Netflix this week and it's must-watch for thriller fans Horror moment ITV News report interrupted by bomb alert as host takes cover Bridgerton icon lands role in 'masterpiece' drama but there's bad news for fans Danny Dyer says 'can't believe it' as The Dyers' Caravan Park renewed for series 2 Labour minister torn apart by GMB's Ed Balls in furious clash - 'So annoying' Outlander star takes leading role in adaptation of bestselling novel and fans 'can’t wait' BBC Silent Witness confirms future as series ends and fans are thrilled 24 Hours in Police Custody returns with 'harrowing' special on real life 'horror' 24 Hours in Police Custody to end as Channel 4 confirms 'high-stakes' replacement 'Beautiful' Netflix period drama already renewed for season 2 months before release The Gilded Age gets major season 4 update with new stars unveiled BBC Breakfast issues major breaking news – and it’s bad news for Starmer Rachel Reeves skewered by GMB’s Susanna Reid with two-word comparison GB News halted for breaking update in major blow to Keir Starmer Hairy Bikers' Si King teases ‘something special’ as he shares 'exciting' filming update Terrifying moment CNN host evacuates live broadcast in Tel Aviv to find shelter ‘Incompetent’ Keir Starmer sparks GMB fury after huge Donald Trump blow Where was Prime Video's Young Sherlock filmed? Are the couples on Blue Therapy real? Netflix producer reveals truth BBC viewers slam ‘worst two hours of television’ ever ITV Emmerdale baby bombshell as fans 'work out' pregnancy twist for villager Silent Witness star drops cryptic hint on BBC show's future after series 29 finale ‘Why the hell are you living in Britain?’ LBC host erupts on air in furious rant ‘I dated Andrew and know what was really going on in Epstein floor photo’ Latest videos DVLA alert as drivers told to update four documents Apple’s brand new MacBook Neo is cheap enough to terrify the Windows competition Trump 'survives assassination attempt' as US Government issues horror update Meghan Markle insider breaks silence on dismal As Ever figures as future plans revealed Keir Starmer humiliated as PM forced to sit down in middle of blazing Badenoch clash

Daily Express uses notifications to keep you updated

Keep me updated No thanks