Another Netflix series has been canceled: The final season of the “Vikings” spinoff “Vikings: Valhalla” is now available to stream (as of July 11).
Set in the 11th century, more than 100 years after the original History Channel and Prime Video series, the fictionalized historical drama centers on three key characters: famous sailor Leif Erikkson (Sam Corlett), his strong-willed sister Freydís Eiríksdóttir (Frida Gustavsson), and Norwegian Prince Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter). The series follows their travels and exploits around the globe, offering plenty of political intrigue and plenty of action along the way.
“I’m so grateful to have had three seasons to tell the stories of Leif, Harald and Freydís,” co-creator Jeb Stuart told Tudum before the show’s release. “I knew from the beginning that I wanted to show the evolution of how three of the most famous Vikings became the icons we know today, and that’s exactly what we did.”
Whether you missed the boat and are watching the show for the first time or you’ve been watching Vikings: Valhalla from the beginning, the series is now available to binge-watch on Netflix.
In an era where Netflix often ends series in their prime, it’s refreshing to see that this was a planned three-season story arc. We say goodbye to Leif, Freydís, and Harald where Stuart and the Vikings: Valhalla team planned to leave them after facing a new round of fresh challenges. Whether you missed the (long) connection and are coming to the show for the first time, or you’ve been watching Vikings: Valhalla from the beginning, the series is now available to binge-watch on Netflix.
What is Season 3 of Vikings: Valhalla about?
The final season of the series takes place after a seven-year time jump and traces the next stage in each of their stories as they move closer to their goals and the end of the Viking Age overall.
The synopsis for Season 3 of “Vikings: Valhalla” on Netflix reads: “In Season 3, our heroes find themselves seven years after the end of Season 2. Freydis is now the undisputed leader of pagan Jomsborg, and Leif and Harald have achieved fame in Constantinople. But before they reach their final destiny, even greater challenges lie ahead.”
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What do critics say about “Vikings: Valhalla”?
Now that the series has ended, you might be tempted to binge-watch every episode of Vikings: Valhalla. If you’re still not sure if the series is right for you, here are some early reactions from critics to the first season.
If you normally use Rotten Tomatoes to get a general idea of what shows are worth watching, you’ll notice that at the time of writing, there is no critic score or consensus for Vikings: Valhalla season 3. However, the series has an average rating of 95% for its first two seasons, earning a lot of praise from those who have watched it so far.
Although the review aggregator has not compiled a rating yet, early critical reactions to the series are quite positive. Arezou Amin of Collider gave the series an 8/10, saying that the stories of Leif, Freydis and Harald are “beautifully told from start to finish.” She praised the series for being “alternately surprising, suspenseful, romantic and tender,” and admitted that they regretted the ending.
In an article for TheWrap, Bob Strauss criticized the series for playing with true history. In his own words, the Vikings spin-off “tortures actual timelines like a zealous Christian with a stubborn pagan.” Nevertheless, he called the show “reliably gripping” and praised the series’ eventful, fast-paced plot and brutal action.
Finally, Screen Rant writer Felipe Rangel in particular pointed out that Harald’s story contains both “the best action sequences of the seasons and some of the best character work,” concluding by noting that the main trio “meet their fate in a grand manner” in this final chapter.
Still not sure if Vikings: Valhalla is right for you? Check out our guide to the best Netflix shows you can stream right now for more must-watch recommendations. Fans of historical dramas have another series to look forward to soon, as Peacock will soon welcome a ten-part Roman gladiator drama. Get a taste of the action in the trailer for Those About To Die before it drops on July 18.
