Toronto Blue Jay and Vikings Superfan Josh Donaldson Guest Stars this Season

All-New Documentaries Real Vikings: Ragnar and His Sons and Real Vikings: Viking Women Explore the True Lives and Roots of Vikings Society

Catch Up on Past Seasons of Vikings on HISTORY.ca, HISTORY on Demand, HISTORY Go app, shomi, and iTunes

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TORONTO, Sept. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - #Slay. HISTORY's critically-acclaimed original series Vikings returns with all-new episodes to a new night and time, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning November 30. This fall, the riveting series welcomes Toronto Blue Jays' third baseman and American League MVP Josh Donaldson, making his acting debut as Hoskuld, a Viking warrior. With more than 7.6 million Canadians* tuning in to the first half of Season 4 last spring, Vikings slayed the competition, earning top spot as the #1 Series across Specialty and remains HISTORY's #1 Series of the year.**

Earlier this season, a humiliated Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) disappeared after being defeated by his brother Rollo (Clive Standen) in a monumental battle in Paris. The series then took an enormous leap forward during the midseason finale, time-jumping to a new era in its characters' lives. In the midseason premiere (Wednesday, November 30 at 9 p.m. ET/PT), Ragnar's reappearance in Kattegat triggers a chain of events no one – except the Seer – could have ever imagined. He unexpectedly arrives home to see what has become of his sons, and to handle unfinished business in Wessex with King Ecbert (Linus Roache). Meanwhile, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) plans a power play in Kattegat, and Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) prepares to fulfill his long-held dream to explore the Mediterranean in a sleek new boat built for him by Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård).

"This season is monumental and unlike anything we've ever done," said Michael Hirst, creator and writer. "We've propelled Vikings to the topmost level of historical drama as we follow storylines inspired by real life events such as Bjorn Ironside sailing through the Mediterranean and Ivar the Boneless becoming the most feared warrior of all time. It's not a story of one man, but a saga of Ragnar and his sons."

This fall, fans can also delve into the next installments of the in-depth Real Vikings documentary series. First, Vikings creator Michael Hirst, actor Clive Standen, and a host of experts sort through historic accounts, Icelandic sagas and archaeological discoveries to gain insight into the real lives of Ragnar Lothbrok and his famous sons, Bjorn Ironside and Ivar the Boneless in Real Vikings: Ragnar and His Sons. Then, from shield maidens and sorceresses, to queens and slaves, Vikings stars Katheryn Winnick and Alyssa Sutherland join leading experts to reveal the different roles women played amongst Norse society in Real Vikings: Viking Women.

Fans can catch up on past seasons of Vikings on HISTORY.ca, HISTORY on Demand, HISTORY Go app, shomi, and iTunes.

Hirst serves as executive producer along with Morgan O'Sullivan of World 2000 (The Count of Monte Cristo, The Tudors), Sheila Hockin (The Tudors, Penny Dreadful), John Weber of Take 5 Productions (The Tudors, The Borgias), Sherry Marsh, Alan Gasmer and James Flynn (The Tudors, The Borgias).

Vikings is an international Canadian/Irish co-production by Take 5 Productions and World 2000. HISTORY broadcasts both domestically in Canada and the U.S. MGM Television is the worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada. Vikings is produced in association with Corus Entertainment.

Source: *Numeris PPM Data, SP16 (Jan 4 – May 29/16) confirmed data, CumeRch (000), Ind.2+, originals +repeats, Total Canada

**Numeris PPM Data, SP16(Jan 4 – May 29/16), confirmed data, 3+ airings, AMA(000), A18-49, Cdn Spec/Dig Com Eng excluding sports, Total Canada

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About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that creates and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company's portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses 45 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children's book publishing, animation software, technology and media services. Corus' roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic Channel, Q107, CKNW, Fresh Radio, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.

SOURCE History