Netflix has just unveiled its latest high-stakes drama series, A Trip to the Bad Lands, starring none other than Travis Fimmel. The actor, best known for his magnetic role as Ragnar Lothbrok in Vikings, is returning to the screen in a role that promises to push boundaries and captivate audiences in new ways. The streaming giant confirmed that the series will premiere globally on August 22, 2025.
Set in the desolate aftermath of a fractured America, A Trip to the Bad Lands explores survival, fractured loyalty, and the human spirit in a world where society has all but collapsed. Fimmel plays Jack Colton, a former military scout turned bounty hunter who guides desperate civilians through a deadly expanse known only as “the Bad Lands” — a lawless region ruled by brutal warlords and ancient secrets.
Fimmel’s casting has ignited considerable buzz across social media and entertainment circles. Known for bringing a fierce intensity and unpredictable edge to his roles, fans are excited to see him delve into the rugged complexity of Colton. Early stills from the series show Fimmel sporting a rough, dust-caked look, with a worn leather coat and a stare that hints at deep internal torment.
Netflix describes the show as a hybrid between Mad Max: Fury Road and The Revenant, combining dystopian survival with emotionally rich storytelling. Filming took place across the American Southwest, with desolate ghost towns, vast canyons, and scorched plains lending an eerie authenticity to the show’s aesthetic.
Behind the camera is acclaimed director Marta Rojas, whose previous work on The Last Border won her a BAFTA. Rojas brings a gritty realism and a painterly eye to the series, reportedly pushing Fimmel and the cast into extreme conditions to capture the harshness of the landscape. “We wanted it to feel real — like the heat, the hunger, the paranoia were bleeding through the screen,” she said in a recent interview.
The series will consist of eight hour-long episodes, each unraveling more of the mystery behind the Bad Lands and Jack Colton’s dark past. Fimmel’s character is said to have a “wound that never healed” — both literal and metaphorical — that drives much of the emotional tension in the story.
Joining Fimmel is an ensemble cast including Sheila Atim as Maya, a botanist searching for her missing daughter, and Diego Luna as Vincent, a charismatic yet ruthless outlaw leader who may know more about the Bad Lands than he lets on. Their uneasy alliances and betrayals form the core of the narrative’s suspense.
Netflix has begun rolling out its marketing campaign with a gritty teaser trailer featuring explosive action, quiet moments of reflection, and a haunting voiceover from Fimmel himself: “You think you know pain? Out here, it wears your name.” Fans have already dissected the teaser frame-by-frame, spotting hidden symbols, mysterious figures, and several blink-and-you-miss-it clues.
Advance screenings for critics begin in late July, and early buzz suggests Netflix is hoping this will be its flagship action-drama of the fall season. With its intense performances, cinematic visuals, and philosophical undercurrents, A Trip to the Bad Lands could be the next breakout hit.
Fimmel, who’s kept a low profile in recent years, described the role as “the most physically and emotionally demanding I’ve ever done.” In a rare interview, he hinted that Jack Colton is more than just a survivor — he’s a man haunted by the past, running toward something even more dangerous than what he’s left behind.
As the August 22 release date approaches, fans of Travis Fimmel and post-apocalyptic dramas alike are counting down the days. If the series lives up to its premise, A Trip to the Bad Lands might just be a landmark entry in Netflix’s original programming — and another unforgettable role for one of television’s most compelling actors.