Created by Michael Hirst of "The Tudors," "Vikings" first aired on History in 2013. It follows the life of legendary Viking Ragnar Rosbrok (Travis Fimmel) from the year 793. Dark and humorous, but the epic war scenes were no joke and featured a particularly stellar cast.

Ragnar was a politically engaged and ambitious farmer whose story truly begins when he decides to begin leading the raids to the west that would later become known as England. His foresight and military prowess lead to his rise to king. At his side are Athelstan (George Blagden), a former priest who has gone from captive to trusted friend; his first wife, the shield maiden Lagertha (Katherine Winick); and his warrior son Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig). As the decades pass, the program shifts its focus to Björn and the Ragnar sons born to his second wife, who followed in her father's footsteps and became infamous.

The series is one of those gritty, sexy historical dramas that debuted on cable television shortly after the breakout success of "Game of Thrones." Vikings also helped History break into scripted programming, but ultimately ended its six-season run on Prime Video at the end of 2020.

If you still miss Ragnar and company, fortunately, there are quite a few similar shows to fill the void.

Of course, you have to start with this thematically closest direct sequel, set about 100 years after The Vikings. It contains the same mythology, locations, and overarching conflicts - such as the ongoing tensions between the Norse and the English.

Whereas the original show marked the beginning of the Viking Age, this film deals with the period when it began to end. It also features Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), perhaps the most famous Viking to American schoolchildren. He is an explorer and his sister Freydis (Freida Gustafson) is a shield maiden. Their predecessors are legendary figures they grew up respecting. Ragnar's great-niece, Emma of Normandy (Laura Berlin), also plays an important role as Queen of England.

Watch on Netflix

Set in the golden age of piracy, "Black Sails" connects real historical figures, this time fictional ones from Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island." Both feature looters who rebel against British society. However, Starz's series was in many ways more progressive.

It featured several fierce and well-rounded leading female characters. Whereas Vikings placed queerness on the periphery or kept it to subtext, almost all of the characters in the pirate drama were canonically queer or gender non-conforming. There is also an obvious couple involving the show's male protagonist, the fearsome Captain Flint (Toby Stephens), and a couple of married aristocrats. In addition, the film is filled with epic battle scenes that take place at sea and on land.

Watch on Starz

Chronologically, the beginning of "The Last Kingdom" overlaps with "Vikings," so some of the same people and events are referenced. Uthred (Alexander Drymon) is a Saxon who is kidnapped after a battle and adopted into a Viking family. He grows up to be a skilled warrior, and when his family is killed, he tries to claim his birthright, which was usurped by his birth uncle. This familial conflict mirrors that between Ragnar and his jealous brother Rollo (Clive Standen). Rollo often betrayed his family for financial gain and fame.

Both cultures are explored more as well as the Christian vs. pagan conflict. Often portrayed through the struggles of Ussed's identity, the Netflix drama is a perfect series for those interested in the history of this period.

Watch on Netflix

Claire (Caitriona Balfe) is a World War II combat nurse who travels back in time to 1700s Scotland during her honeymoon. With war with England looming, she must use her skills and knowledge of history to survive and build a new life with her partner Jamie (Sam Heughan).

Claire and Jamie have a tantalizing chemistry, reminiscent of the relationship between Ragnar and Largerta in previous seasons; the two are devoted to each other, and Claire is not afraid of men who would harm her or him. "Outlander" has great production values as well, bringing authenticity to the battlefield scene.

Watch on Netflix and Starz

Although set in modern-day California, the bones of "Animal Kingdom" are not far removed from "Vikings." The brothers' lives revolve around the family's ruthless and magnanimous patriarch, Smurf (Ellen Barkin).

She heads a smuggling ring, and the brothers compete for her affection over who can steal the most. There is no actual war, but family rivalries can be quite brutal as they try to outwit each other and their enemies. One of the brothers is played by Ben Robson, who played Lagertha's ill-fated love interest Karhu in Season 3.

Watch on Prime Video

The half-hour comedy begins with Sam (Rose McIver) inheriting a mansion in upstate New York. Eventually, she begins to see the ghosts of people who have died in the mansion over the centuries. One of these spirits is Thorfinn (Devan Long), a Viking who has been there the longest. Many of his anecdotes include concepts introduced by the Vikings, such as the gruesome execution method "Blood Eagle," Odin, and Norse burial rites.

Thorfinn is one of the most prolific ghosts, and it is interesting to see how Ragnar would have behaved if he could have relaxed and watched reality TV without having to constantly worry about being assassinated or leading an army or kingdom. Despite the deaths and murders, it is a heartwarming show about a family that is found and gives insight into a wide range of times.

Watch on Paramount Plus

In 43, the feud between two Celtic queens is interrupted by the arrival of a Roman general who wants to conquer Britain and end their religion. Here, the Britons are for once the good guys, still pagans.

In addition to political gamesmanship and war, the druidic prophecy plays a major role in the plot. Ragnar's nemesis, Floki (Gustav Skarsgard), is a religious fanatic whose actions are often driven by the gods. The series is also devoted to humor, and its use of anachronistic music, such as Donovan's psychedelic "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and "Season of the Witch," demonstrates its tongue-in-cheek self-awareness.

Watch on MGM Plus and Prime Video