Netflix Officially Announces “Lagatha the Shield Maiden”: A Vikings Prequel Set to Release in 2026
Netflix has officially confirmed the upcoming release of Lagatha the Shield Maiden, a long-anticipated prequel to the acclaimed Vikings series. Set to debut globally in 2026, the new series will delve into the early life and rise of one of the most iconic female warriors in television history—Lagatha. The announcement has sparked excitement among fans of historical drama, Norse mythology, and the original Vikings universe.
Unlike Vikings: Valhalla, which fast-forwards to the next generation of Norse legends, Lagatha the Shield Maiden travels back in time. The series promises to chronicle the young Lagatha’s transformation from a humble farmer’s daughter into a fierce warrior and respected leader. This origin story will explore the harsh realities of 8th-century Scandinavia, the roots of Viking culture, and the battles—both personal and political—that shaped Lagatha into a legend.
Netflix revealed that the new series will feature an entirely new cast, with up-and-coming Danish actress Freja Kristensen taking on the role of young Lagatha. Known for her intensity and physical presence on screen, Kristensen is expected to bring fresh energy and depth to the character, originally portrayed by Katheryn Winnick. Winnick herself is rumored to be involved as an executive producer and creative consultant.
The prequel will be helmed by Vikings creator Michael Hirst, who returns as executive producer. He will be joined by an international team of writers and historians to ensure the show maintains the historical richness and emotional depth fans have come to expect. Filming took place across Norway, Iceland, and Ireland, with sweeping landscapes and traditional Norse set designs crafted to recreate the brutal beauty of the Viking Age.
According to the showrunners, Lagatha the Shield Maiden will focus on five key phases of Lagatha’s early life: her youth in Kattegat, her first battle, her complicated marriage to Ragnar Lothbrok, the birth of her son Bjorn Ironside, and her rise as a warrior queen. Each episode will build on the last to show the evolution of a woman determined to carve out her own fate in a world ruled by men.
Netflix is planning a 10-episode debut season, with each episode running approximately 50 minutes. The platform is banking on the global success of Vikings and its spin-offs to launch this new chapter. A teaser trailer is expected to drop in late 2025, with behind-the-scenes featurettes and cast interviews rolling out in the months leading up to the premiere.
Critics and longtime fans are already speculating whether the new series will match the intensity and cultural impact of its predecessor. If early production stills and concept art are any indication, Lagatha the Shield Maiden is shaping up to be a gritty, cinematic journey filled with action, betrayal, mythology, and Norse tradition.
With Netflix doubling down on original historical content, Lagatha the Shield Maiden may very well become one of the biggest streaming events of 2026. Whether you’re a die-hard Vikings fan or a newcomer drawn by strong female leads and epic world-building, the release can’t come soon enough.
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