Netflix has commissioned MGM Television to create and produce Vikings: Valhalla as a sequel drama series that will be set 100 years after the original Vikings series.
Vikings, that was shown on History internationally and on M-Net and Showmax in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa and that will conclude with its 6th season in 2020 after it starts in December, is getting a spin-off.
The new series will dramatise the adventures of the most famous Vikings who ever lived: Leif Erikson, Freydis, Harald Harada and the Norman King William the Conqueror who is also a Viking descendant.
Vikings series creator Michael Hirst is also behind Vikings: Valhalla as executive producer, with the spin-off series that will begin 100 years after the original series concludes as a new chapter of the Vikings legend, following the men and women blazing new paths as they fight for survival in an ever-changing and evolving Europe.
"I am beyond excited that we are announcing the continuation of our Vikings saga," says Michael Hirst in a statement. "I know that the millions of our fans across the globe will be thrilled by the belief being shown in our show by MGM and Netflix."
"Jeb Stuart, a truly wonderful writer, will bring new storylines and a powerful visceral vision to stories about some of the most famous Vikings known to history."
Steve Stark, MGM Television's president of television production and development, says "We are thrilled to be partnering with Michael, Jeb and Netflix on the next chapter in the incredible Vikings universe".
"Vikings: Valhalla has been a labour of love for everyone involved and as we look ahead to the continuation of this great saga, we are excited to know that fans the world over will have the opportunity to continue with the series on its new home at Netflix."
Channing Dungey, vice-president of original series at Netflix, says "Vikings: Valhalla promises to be everything that fans love about the franchise: heart-pounding, unstoppable action rooted in rich characters and dramatic storytelling that shines the light on family, loyalty and power. We are thrilled to bring the next iteration of the Vikings saga to life".
Vikings seen on M-Net (DStv 101) and Showmax has been cancelled, with the drama series seen on the History channel in the United States that will end with the 6th season although a follow-up series is being planned.
Vikings has been cancelled with the upcoming 6th season's 20 episodes that will be its last. Production has finished on the 6th season, with the final season that will roll out sometime later in 2019.
Episodes from the second half of the 5th season of Vikings are currently rolling out on History in the United States and on an Express from the US basis on Showmax in South Africa and Africa, with a yet-to-announced linear broadcast date for M-Net.
MGM Television studios and Vikings creator Michael Hirst are planning a possible follow-up series.
'Twas the day before Christmas, so here are 10 TV shows on Netflix, Showmax, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and DStv Now that you can stream watch and will definitely enjoy during the Christmas holiday season.
1.A Series of Unfortunate Events (Season 1 & 2)
Netflix
Perhaps you know the brilliant book series, A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett. Perhaps you don't. Perhaps it's actually better if you don't. It's so sad and about orphans, and death, and disaster. A lot of disasters actually. The wonderful series stars Neil Patrick Harris as the evil Count Olaf, constantly scheming to get his hands on the inheritance of the Baudelaire children, Violent, Klaus and little Sunny (who bites). Before the third and final season covering the last books, catch up on the first and new second seasons of this beautifully done story.
2.Vikings (2nd half of season 5)
Showmax
While you're waiting for the final season of Game of Thrones coming to M-Net (DStv 101) in 2019, use this time to catch up on this Nordish "game of thrones". Showmax is adding the episodes weekly of the just started second half of the 5th season of this series about vikings that is inspired by the legends of one of the best-known Norse heroes, Ragnar Lothbrok.
The characters are rich and multifaceted, the plot unexpected, and if you love Thrones we can fully guarantee that you will love this viking drama spectacle.
3.Doctor Who New Year's Special 2019
Showmax
Daleks will probably come hunt the BBC for this but the Beep has broken with tradition. No, not for choosing a woman to take over from a man (here's looking at you Jodie Whittaker) from the current 11th season, but for moving the traditional Christmas Day episode to New Year's Day.
This year the season ender special additional episode that used to be on Christmas Day is moving to 1 January 2019, with Showmax that will have it on 2 January. This time it's actually set on, and taking place on New Year's Day and the producers are promising "a big, thrilling, explosive, moving, cheeky, surprising treat".
4.Origin
YouTube
There's been basically no publicity for this but that's why we're here to tell you about Origin, a brand-new YouTube Original series that was filmed in Cape Town. Set in space, you can watch the first two episodes of this 10-episode drama series for free on YouTube. A group of people wake up aboard a space ship heading for a far-flung planet to colonise, after some type of a disaster. Oh, let's end the suspense - something is onboard! A mysterious alien thing. The survivors have to figure out who the alien inhabited, and it has a weak spot: memory. Tom Felton who was Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter is all grown-up (and still rude and ugly to everyone). Is he the alien?
5.Elite
Netflix
Imagine The OC, Gossip Girl, Beverly Hills 90210 and How to Get Away with Murder all rolled into one, set at an elite (hence the title) private high school where one of the pupils have died. This new 8-episode teen drama series is utterly compelling and there's something you don't have to worry about: It's Spanish, but you can watch it with an English soundtrack (that doesn't sound "telenovela dubbing" like at all, and there are also English subtitles.
This "whodunnit" series wonderfully playing and subverting every teen TV show trope you thought you knew in a whole new way, is absolutely brilliant and will keep you guessing right until the end. Three working class students, after their school collapsed due to faulty construction, get the chance to go to the private school Las Encinas. Now mix together the jock, the Muslim girl, the blonde girl, the "teen queen" popular girl, the working class good guy, the working class guy's best friend, the sports star and an array of others for an addictive murder mystery. Who is gay, who is pregnant, who is addicted, who is getting murdered? We won't answer those questions but you'll find out who died at the end of the first episode.
6.The Bureau of Magical Things
DStv Now Catch Up
This new Nickelodeon teen series filmed in Australia revolves around the teenager Kyra who discovers a magical world existing right alongside the real world, filled with fairies, elves, and other creatures. How to do high school while helping bookstore owner and Professor Maxwell who is a teacher of magic at the Department of Magical Intervention (DMI)?
7.Condor
Showmax
The very best spy drama of the year is this new 10-episode series that has been renewed for a second season and is a modern-day version of the 1975-film, Three Days of the Condor, based on the 1974-novel.
Max Irons (the actor-model son of Jeremy Irons), is the young CIA analyst Joe Turner literally running for his life, trying to solve a vast conspiracy within the CIA as vicious assassins are hot on his trail in a frenetic, Terminator 2-like chase that's seemingly without end. William Hunt and Mira Sorvino bring ballast to the cast, and the tension, and unexpected twists and turns will have you gasping.
8.Jack Ryan
Amazon Prime Video
The year's second best spy drama is this excellent and gripping modern-day version of the Jack Clancy's Jack Ryan character, this time with John Krasinski in the lead role of this 8-episode season executive produced by Carlton Cruse and Michael Bay, and that has been renewed for a second season.
The "desk job" CIA analyst Jack Ryan stumbles upon a series of dubious bank transfers done by terrorists. Quickly he becomes drawn into an international spy operation, while he finds new love, deals with trauma from his past, and ends up having to try and save the live of the American president.
9.Vanity Fair
Showmax
This beautiful 7-episode British period drama miniseries is a retelling of William Makepeace Thackeray's famous 1848 novel about Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke), a ruthless (but in a good way) social climber who uses her charms and intelligence to fascinate and seduce upper-class men to improve her position and circumstances in life.
Until that new Downton Abbey movie in 2019, the costumes, clever story, great acting, and sumptuous backdrops will give you all the feels about that wonderful bygone 19th-century British society era.
10. Marvel's Runaways (season 2)
Showmax
The 13-episode second season of this drama series that became available for streaming on Friday in America will drop on Showmax from 24 December. In the first season, 6 teenagers going to the same school, trying to solve a murder mystery, discover that their parents have secret superhuman powers and are hiding dark secrets.
The nerd, the goth, the jock, the blonde girl, the socially-shy girl and the one with the purple hair all band together in the new season as they are on the run. They find a new place to live, as they attempt to use their new superhuman abilities as a group.
While Aquaman waited to gain entry, the cosplay visitor before him held out his VIP ticket and a plastic grey gun as the security guard told him that "You're not allowed to bring a gun in".
The muscular superhero who held a (plastic) sword in his other hand, didn't know whether to laugh or what to say. Meanwhile off to the side, the Angel of Death - in sprawling black feather wings adorned with multiple amber eyes - was temporarily denied entry at the gate. If she wasn't going to be let in, there was sure going to be hell to pay.
The inaugural Comic Con Africa 2018 - South Africa and Africa's first - that took place this past Friday to Sunday at the Kyalami race track in Johannesburg was super enough and buzzed with colour, krypton and excitement but there's a lot of room for improvement that Reed Exhibitions need to look at.
Firstly, the Kyalami Convention Centre is not the best venue for something like this because of the crowds and (hopefully in future more panel discussions) but also due to layout, which ties in with the second problem - the parking, parking logistics and the walking distances.
Comic Con Africa will work better in a bigger, more "blocky", more self-contained venue where people are able to get much closer to the actual gates and doors without having to walk kilometres in costumes and carrying heavy hard drives, computer processors and kids. Even the Harry Potters from House Hufflepuff arrived by leg with broomstick in hand.
The lack of adequate signage, both outside (especially outside) and inside Comic Con Africa 2018 needs to be improved.
For an hour and 15 minutes I stood at the exhibitor/VIP entrance at Comic Con Africa 2018, just observing, as hundreds of people arrived after already having walked very far, only to be told (and not told!) that they need to walk down, and then up to the general entrance gate - with no signs, no directions and no help.
I lost count of the number of "F"-words uttered, visitors remarking on the confusion, and fatigued people who just arrived, egamers carrying heavy computer boxes and families with little kids who were already in a bad mood after they popped out after walking over the bridge and disappointed at the long further walk to get in.
How about loop-run golf carts to help people (and their costumes) to get between the entrance/exit gates and their cars? Luckily it didn't rain, but how are people in costumes and with electronics like computers they must carry, supposed to get inside the building without getting wet?
R50 for a slice of pizza? The exploitation from the very first Comic Con Africa in terms of food price gouging need to stop. If this is sold as a family event, make prices for food affordable for families who visit and who are forced to buy it there.
Guides and helpers inside Comic Con Africa 2018 very not just good but actually very good. Everyone interacted with, and everyone of them observed as they helped people asking things (directions and times for events/panels/activations topped the list) were really helpful, informed, knew what to say - and were extremely, and surprisingly, friendly.
With the horde of people besieging them, you'd think they'd appear overwhelmed or stressed, but all of them were helpful and professional - as were the first aid medical team who were quick to help people with things like when a child swallowed a bee inside a Coca-Cola can.
The cancellation from the few overseas stars promised to attend, right up until the day before was a disappointment and a no-no.
Also most of them were "past prime"instead of Optimus Prime. Having someone like Travis Fimmel from Vikings at Comic Con Africa 2018 doesn't really serve a purpose if the character Ragnar already died almost two years ago. The actor has little to contribute to or tease about the future or progression of the character - which is what visitors, the media and pop culture aficionado's are interested in.
Which bring up the next point. Hopefully Comic Con Africa 2019 will attract better and more high-profile overseas TV stars in science fiction and fantasy who have current zeitgeist currency, as well as high-profile local stars.
More should also be done to add actual real panel discussions. Viacom Africa did a Moosebox and women in animation panels, while Showmax, M-Net Movies, M-Net City, Netflix and SundanceTV with a fear tunnel with (why are they smiling instead of looking scary?) zombies, all did interactive "activations".
What Comic Con Africa visitors are looking for who ended up taking photos posing next to life-size statues of Batman and jumping on a Netflix SA Disenchantment inflatable castle, are real-life stars they know and love and people appearing and talking about their shows and projects.
There should be bigger interaction between Reed Exhibitions on the one hand, and MultiChoice, M-Net, Showmax, Netflix South Africa, Amazon Prime Video and film distributors on the other to actually get stars, and have interesting panels and Q&A sessions about the shows and their projects. This will still hopefully happen as Comic Con Africa develops.
Lastly the PR aspect needs a lot of improvement. Where were the flurry of invitations to the press beforehand to cover specific aspects of Comic Con Africa 2018, the interactive media liaising during, and the reams of press releases about aspects of the event and what came out of the few panels that did take place?
How many media knew that Viacom Africa is launching its Moosebox animated series at Comic Con Africa, or that M-Net Movies is doing a DC Heroes pop-up channel on MultiChoice's DStv in November and "activating" it with an escape room at the event?
Future Comic Con Africas need to be made more accessible, with more communication, and filled with more relevant topline talent.
Reed Exhibitions and the organisers really have to "pre-walk" the planned event around the block - literally - from the neverending entrance traffic jam to the toilets, the food stands, seating and crowd flow, to see how ordinary visitors - not exhibitors, media or VIP guests - are really having to navigate the event, to improve aspects of it.
The drama series Vikings from A&E Networks but shown in South Africa and Africa on M-Net (DStv 101) has been renewed for a 6th season just before the start of its 5th season in two months' time.
The historical drama series from showrunner and creator Michael Hirst is shown on the History channel overseas but M-Net eventually came to viewers' rescue picking up the show for DStv subscribers in Africa.
Vikings is an international Irish and Canadian co-production done by World 2000 and Take 5 Productions and MGM Television is the worldwide distributor.
Production on the 6th season of Vikings will start in Ireland soon that recently saw the addition of Jonathan Rhys Meyers to the cast, with the 5th season's 20 episodes that will start at the end of November and that will again be broken up into two blocks of 10 episodes.
"Vikings has creatively sailed to monumental lengths," says Eli Lehrer, History executive vice president for programming in a statement announcing the 6th season renewal.
"The series has evolved from early raids in England, to the heart-stopping death of Ragnar Lothbrok, to the fierce battles of the Great Heathen Army, and now we'll see the sons of Ragnar exploring and conquering the known world."
"Michael Hirst has only scratched the surface of his epic saga. We look forward to continuing our partnership with one of the greatest writers in this era of Peak TV and entertaining our viewers with 40 new episodes over the next two seasons."
"It has been my pleasure and my privilege to work with History and our partner MGM over five seasons and 69 episodes of Vikings," says Michael Hirst.
"Now we are ready to begin production of a 20-episode season six that will deliver a huge and unexpected revelation to our audience."
"There are many reasons why I love this show, not least for the commitment and creativity of everyone involved in making it, but perhaps even more important is the spirit that drives this production - one of the happiest, most collaborative and most authentic productions I have ever been involved with. And so we sail on."
Vikings renewed for a 4th season.
The MGM Television distributed historical drama shown on History (DStv 186) in America and the UK but on M-Net Edge (DStv 102) in South Africa and Africa gets another season with an unspecified number of episodes.
SABC blackout of South Africa's national soccer team lamented.
Soccer expert and former SABC soccer commentator Mark Gleeson remembers a time when the South African public broadcaster which didn't show Wednesday's Bafana Bafana match in Swaziland used to show all the national soccer team matches.
Two Al Jazeera (DStv 406) journalists detained in Nigeria.
The properly accredited Ahmed Idris and Ali Mustafa detained by Nigeria's military since Tuesday and their camera equipment confiscated ahead of Nigeria's general elections on Saturday.
The second season of the well-produced historical drama Vikings starts tonight on M-Net Series Showcase (DStv 113) at 22:00 following straight after the first season which started on M-Net Series Showcase in March.
The second season of 10 episodes of Vikings has one episode more than the first season and will all play out on Thursdays at 22:00 on M-Net Series Showcase.
This is excellent and exceptional programming from a broadcaster that is in the interest of and to the benefit of the consumer.
M-Net firstly acquired the MGM Television produced show to broadcast it in South Africa when A+E Networks UK failed to get and schedule it for viewers in History (DStv 186).
History's loss was also M-Net's gain - especially since History is not a high definition (HD) channel and M-Net is showing Vikings to South African viewers the way it is meant to be seen: in HD on the M-Net Series Showcase channel.
Secondly the decision by M-Net to show the available second season of Vikings closely (immediately) after the first season to help South African viewers catch up, is extremely laudable and commendable.
Thirdly, the second season of Vikings started in February in the United States. This means that M-Net has made Vikings instantly yet another TV show which it is rolling out very close to the overseas broadcasting date. Vikings has been renewed for a third season in 2015.
TV with Thinus asked M-Net why it decided to show the second season of Vikings straight after the first season.
"M-Net has always treated viewers to the best international series available and the latest digital technology now makes it possible to bring these series to our screens much closer to the US debuts," says M-Net.
"Our M-Net Series Showcase viewers enjoyed the first season of Vikings and it makes sense to continue with the story without delay".
Drama Vikings has been renewed for a third season.
The first season of the MGM Television produced series started in South Africa in March on M-Net Series Showcase (DStv 113).
It follows after M-Net secured the broadcasting rights to the show which in the United States is shown on History (DStv 186) and which History didn't want to show on the History channel in South Africa.
Vikings has been renewed for a third season of 10 episodes.
Vikings, the excellent historical drama which was shown on History in the United States, received a starting date and a TV channel on MultiChoice's DStv - Vikings' first season will now start in South Africa on M-Net Series Showcase (DStv 113) on Thursday 13 March at 22:00.
Now it will be M-Net Series Showcase, meaning that South African viewers will be able to watch Vikings, produced by MGM Television, in high definition (HD) in South Africa.
History (DStv 186) isn't a high-def channel and didn't want to bring Vikings to viewers in South Africa and Africa itself.
M-Net has grabbed the broadcasting rights to the quality historical drama seriesVikings which History (DStv 186) showed in the United States but didn't show to South African viewers, with the new series which will complement the South African pay-TV broadcaster's programming line-up which already has the similar Game of Thrones.
M-Net also has Almost Human, the futuristic, high-brow and quality new drama series with big-budget special effects with a Blade Runner-esque theme, in which a troubled policeman in the future in teamed up with a new android partner, solving cases as well as slowly trying to solve a crime mystery from his past.
Both Vikings and Almost Human are quality drama productions and are expected to be on the M-Net channel (DStv 101) very soon.
Vikings has nine hour long episodes and it second season will start soon overseas, with South African viewers who will finally get the chance to start watching it soon on M-Net very soon.
Vikings was filmed in Northern Ireland and other locations in Northern Europe similar to where the first seasons of the fantasy shows Camelot and Game of Thrones were filmed.
The well-done fictitious historical family drama chronicles the exploits of historical figure Ragnar Lothbrok and his band of Viking brothers as Lothbrok rises to become king of the Viking tribes.
Vikings is produced by MGM Television for the History channel in America where it will start in 2013. That makes the likelihood big that Vikings will also
be shown on History in South Africa which is a channel feed from Britain.
Vikings could also go to another broadcaster in South Africa, since MGM is the distributor of
Vikings outside of Ireland and Canada.
Vikings was filmed in Northern Ireland and other
locations in Northern Europe similar to where the first seasons of the fantasy
shows Camelot and Game of
Thrones were filmed last year.
It's a fictitious historical
family drama, chronicling the exploits of historical figure Ragnar Lothbrok and
his band of Viking brothers as Lothbrok rises to become king of the Viking
tribes.
History (DStv 254) has ordered the TV channel's first drama series entitled Vikings about the legendary Norsemen of medieval times.
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios will be producing the show for the History channel in America where it will start showing in 2013. That makes the likelihood big that Vikings will also be shown on History in South Africa which is a channel feed from Britain. Vikings could also go to MGM (TopTV 113) itself (although the channel only currently shows movies from its own MGM stable) or another broadcaster in South Africa, since MGM will be the distributor of Vikings outside of Ireland and Canada.
Vikings will be a historical drama, and will be filmed in Northern Ireland and other locations in Northern Europe similar to where the first seasons of the fantasy shows Camelot and Game of Thrones were filmed last year.
"People think they know about the Vikings – we see references to them all the time in our popular culture, from TV commercials to football teams – but the reality is so much more fascinating and complex, more vivid, visceral and powerful than popular legend," says Nancy Dubuc, History president and general manager in a press release.
''We will explore the mysteries of the Vikings, the adventures they took and the people who led them. And we will start to understand a past that is very much part of our collective DNA today."
Vikings will be a fictitious historical family drama, chronicling the exploits of historical figure Ragnar Lothbrok and his band of Viking brothers as Lothbrok rises to become king of the Viking tribes.
Vikingsis an international Ireland-Canada co-production from World 2000 and Take 5 Productions. Vikings has been created and will be written by Michael Hearst whose other show indeed included Camelot.
