Real Vikings

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The Vikings terrified the medieval world. Yet they beguile us today. Who were they really?

Welcome to Real Vikings - the new show from the award-winning Noiser Podcast Network, hosted by Iain Glen (Game of Thrones, Resident Evil, Downton Abbey).

Each week we’ll take a deep dive into the Viking age… boarding longboats bound for new lands, from Greenland to North Africa, Constantinople to Canada… following mighty warlords like Eric Bloodaxe and Olga of Kyiv… meeting master navigators like Leif Erikson… and uncovering the real figures behind the legends of the sagas.

With contributions from leading historians, original music and immersive sound design.

Real Vikings is available for free wherever you get your podcasts or at noiser.com

Noiser+ subscribers get early access to new episodes and ad-free listening. Click the Noiser+ banner at the top of the feed or head to noiser.com/subscriptions to get started.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last refreshed: May 11th, 2026 at 11:43 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

10. 1066 and the Last Vikings

A Varangian warrior, Harald Hardrada, lays claim to the throne of England. In Normandy, Duke William sets out his case for seizing the disputed crown. It will spell disaster for Harold Godwinson, the sitting ruler of the Anglo-Saxon realm. The year 1066 will usher in the ultimate Norse showdown, bringing down the curtain on the Viking Age… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Iain Glen. Featuring Eleanor Barraclough, Stefan Brink, Lars Brownworth, William Fitzhugh, Levi Roach, Elizabeth Rowe...

May 11, 2026•58 min•Season 1Ep. 10

9. King Canute’s North Sea Empire

A boy king, Ethelred the Unready, comes to the English throne. In bloody scenes, he will seek to purge his realm of Norsemen. In 1997, a Silicon Valley CEO takes inspiration from the Vikings for a revolutionary digital technology. Back in England, Sveyn Forkbeard plunges a dagger into the very heart of Old Wessex. His son will right historic wrongs. His name is Canute… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Iain Glen. Featuring Eleanor Barraclough, Stefan Brink, Lars Brownworth, Levi Roach, Pr...

May 04, 2026•58 min•Season 1Ep. 9

8. Promised Lands: Greenland and Vinland

Banished from Iceland, a criminal named Erik the Red puts to sea. He will discover new land and found a spin-off colony: Greenland. But it’s his son, Leif, who will push Viking exploration to the limit… arriving on the shores of North America… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Iain Glen. Featuring Eleanor Barraclough, William Fitzhugh, Davide Zori. Written & produced by Jeff Dawson | Executive Producer: Joel Duddell | Research by Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow | Fact check by Grant Jones...

Apr 27, 2026•54 min•Season 1Ep. 8

7. Rise of the Sea King

Lured by its treasures, a fearsome chieftain named Thorgest arrives in Ireland. Meanwhile, in northern Francia, a warrior known as Rollo the Walker assumes control of Normandy. Back in Ireland, the city of Dublin is born. Celtic slaves are shipped to the far corners of the Viking world. For the Irish High King, enough is enough. It’s time to exorcise this pagan devil once and for all… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Iain Glen. Featuring Lars Brownworth, Ben Raffield, Levi Roach, Elizabe...

Apr 20, 2026•56 min•Season 1Ep. 7

6. Greek Fire: Across the Mediterranean

After sailing into the Mediterranean, a Viking leader plays dead - lulling the enemy into a false sense of security. Mounting ships on wheels, eastern Vikings launch an audacious land-borne attack on Constantinople. The Byzantine Emperor establishes the fabled Varangian Guard, made up of elite Norse warriors. From Spain to Persia, the legend of the Vikings is spreading… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Iain Glen. Featuring Eleanor Barraclough, Stefan Brink, Lars Brownworth, Elizabeth Row...

Apr 13, 2026•52 min•Season 1Ep. 6

5. Land of Fire and Ice

Facing turmoil in Scandinavia, a pioneering Norseman strikes out for pastures new, with a hardy band of followers and three black ravens in tow. Shetland, Orkney and the Faroe Isles present fresh opportunities for settlement. But the true dissenters want a clean break. They will establish a brand-new homeland, a Viking utopia, Iceland… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Iain Glen. Featuring Eleanor Barraclough, Stefan Brink, William Fitzhugh, Pragya Vohra, Davide Zori. Written & produc...

Apr 06, 2026•52 min•Season 1Ep. 5

4. The Wild East: Rise of the Rus

Swedish Vikings turn east. Navigating their way past fearsome local tribes and roaring rapids, they discover new lands and new rivers - ones that can carry longships right to the steppes of Eurasia. A Viking state is established, the Rus. And it comes with a fearsome matriarch… Olga of Kyiv… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Iain Glen. Featuring Eleanor Barraclough, Stefan Brink, Ben Raffield, Elizabeth Rowe. Written by Roger Morris | Produced by Jeff Dawson | Executive Producer: Joel Dud...

Mar 30, 2026•46 min•Season 1Ep. 4

3. Blood Eagles: The Great Heathen Army

Emboldened by their forays, the Vikings escalate their raiding. Using shield walls, berserker shock troops and opportunistic tactics, the Norsemen’s military capacity grows. We experience life inside a Viking winter camp, as pirates become occupiers. A massive invasion force - the Great Heathen Army - overwhelms England. The only hold-out is the Kingdom of Wessex, whose ruler - Alfred - must deal with this unstoppable foe… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Iain Glen. Featuring Lars Brownw...

Mar 24, 2026•51 min•Season 1Ep. 3

2. Ragnar Lothbrok and the Siege of Paris

Emperor Charlemagne launches a Christian crusade against the heathens on his northern border. Stories of Norse gods like Odin and Thor inspire Scandinavians across the fjords and fields. A Danish chieftain makes a community of merchants an offer they can’t refuse. And Viking incursions into Frankish territory escalate. Soon a fleet of longships will glide up the Seine - all the way to Paris… A Noiser podcast production. Narrated by Iain Glen. Featuring Eleanor Barraclough, Stefan Brink, Lars Bro...

Mar 17, 2026•49 min•Season 1Ep. 2

1. Murder on Chesil Beach

The episode details the shocking murder of Beadahad, a West Saxon Reeve, by Scandinavian warriors on Chesil Beach in 789 AD, an event that foreshadows the violence of the coming Viking Age. It explores how modern stereotypes often misrepresent Vikings, revealing them instead as sophisticated navigators, traders, and adventurers from a complex society. The narrative culminates with the infamous 793 AD raid on Lindisfarne Abbey, showcasing the Vikings' advanced longship technology and their opportunistic targeting of undefended monastic wealth, thus establishing a terrifying new model for raids across Europe.

Mar 10, 2026•50 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Real Vikings - Trailer

The new show from the award winning Noiser Podcast Network. Hosted by Iain Glen. Launching March 10th 2025. New episodes each Tuesday. Join Noiser+ for early access to new episodes and ad-free listening. Click the Noiser+ banner or go to noiser.com/subscriptions to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 10, 2026•47 sec

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