It’s A LOT more epic than horned-helmets.
To start, Vikings is an Irish-Canadian co-production.
It's produced by Shaw Media, Octagon Films, Take 5 Productions, and MGM Television.
History Channel
The show started as a nine-part mini-series.
After the success of the mini-series Hatfields and McCoys, History Channel followed up with what started as a nine-episode scripted series about Vikings.
History Channel
Ragnar Lothbrok is (probably) based on a real person.
There isn't a unanimous opinion on whether or not Ragnar Lothbrok was a real historical figure, though he appears in Viking Sagas as a semi-mythological one.
History Channel
The show is almost entirely filmed in Ireland.
The Emerald Isle serves as the beautiful backdrop to the show and mimics the Scandinavian countryside.
History Channel