No one is safe - these are probably the words to describe every "Vikings" season 3 episode that airs each week, especially after the last one titled "Born Again" was shown.
Last season, the History Channel original TV series toned down with the killings of major characters. This year, however, two fan favorites bid the show goodbye. (Spoilers ahead) The latest casualty is Althestan (George Blagden).
In the episode "Born Again" Athelstan experienced a rebirth on his fate. However, it did not last that long as he was killed by Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) who has always been skeptic about his closeness to Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel).
The death of the Christian monk is shocking for many, to the fans and the characters. According to recent "Vikings" season 3 episode guide, the death of Blagden's character will have a huge psychological impact on Ragnar, something that will affect greatly his quest to conquer Europe.
It is not just fans who were surprised by this turn of events. Even Blagden himself was shocked after receiving a five-page email from series creator Michael Hirst. He thought that long mail signals something significant for his character.
"I remember the moment, actually! I was driving up to my mum and dad's house in Yorkshire. I got an email whilst in the car from Michael Hirst," Blagden said in an interview with the Entertainment Weekly shortly after the last "Vikings" season 3 episode.
"It's not often that you get an email from Michael in between seasons. I pulled over and thought, "This is probably quite important, I should read it."
Blagden also remembered how Hirst made him understand the fate of Athelstan.
"Lo and behold, it was a five-page email. [laughs] He explained his desire to kill Athelstan in season 3. He was very passionate in writing for television about not overextending character arcs. The worst thing you can do for a character is make it try and exist past the point where it needs to. He felt it was the moment, this midpoint in season 3. I totally agreed with everything he said in his lovely email. How he's progressed through the start of season 3 with Athelstan, it feels like a perfect moment."
Blagen might not be present in the remaining "Vikings" season 3 episodes but fans can still see him in his new show titled Versailles which is based on the history of France.
"It was a nice little symbol for the whole change. I'm not in Ireland anymore with shields running around like a little boy. In August I was a Viking in the year 810 or something in Kattegat. A few weeks later I was in Paris, playing Louis XIV."
