For the first time since the original 842 AD London invasion, two Viking longboats manned with fully-armed Viking raiders sailed down the River Thames today.
The 35-foot boats were in the capital to promote the UK release of critically acclaimed US TV series Vikings which arrives on Amazon’s LOVEFiLM later this month.
The TV and film streaming service last week struck a deal struck with MGM Television late to bring all nine episodes of the Norse action-drama to it’s UK users.
Created and written by Michael Hirst – writer of The Tudors – the tale of warfare, sex, bloodshed, ambition, family and brotherhood has been a big hit in the US.
The series stars Travis Fimmel (The Beast, The Experiment), Golden Globe winner Gabriel Byrne (The Usual Suspects, Miller’s Crossing) and Katheryn Winnick (Love and Other Drugs, Bones).
the show chronicles the adventures of notorious Norse hero Ragnar Lothbrok (Fimmel), a Viking warrior who yearns to explore – and raid – the distant shores of the ocean.
Simon Morris, Chief Marketing Officer at LOVEFiLM, said: “Geneticists say there’s a bit of Viking DNA in all of us so we’re delighted to give our members the opportunity to indulge in first class entertainment and feast on the story of their ancestry.
“This is a landmark moment in the history of LOVEFiLM as it is the first time a major TV series has aired on our service before traditional broadcasting channels.”
VIKINGS will premiere on LOVEFiLM Instant in the UK on May 24th 2013.
