Why Alexander Ludwig Regrets Playing Bjorn On Vikings

When History announced back in 2013 that it was breaking into the world of scripted TV with Vikings, there was some understandable apprehension. But seven years later, their flagship drama is a bona fide sensation.

As the name of the show suggests, Vikings tells the story of Norse society in the early Medieval period. Viewers have been drawn in by the intriguing glimpse into life during a radically different time than our own, but we're sure the Game of Thrones-style political intrigue and violence don't hurt, either. Even though the show is a success, and will be getting a sequel series on Netflix, that doesn't mean everyone involved is content.

In an interview to promote his film, Bad Boys for Life, long-time Vikings star Alexander Ludwig spoke about the downside to being one of the leads on a wildly successful TV series. It seems that, while the show has been a boon for the network, its longevity and the production schedule has taken a toll on the actors who helped make Vikings a hit in the first place.

Since the show's second season, Alexander Ludwig has starred as Björn Ironside. While Björn has enjoyed a surprising amount of longevity compared to other characters on the show, the character's long life hasn't always been a blessing to Ludwig. According to the actor, the show's intense shooting schedule has prevented him from spreading his wings and taking on other roles.

In April of 2020, the actor spoke to The Hollywood Reporter to elaborate further, saying,

"When I signed on to the show, I originally expected it to be a 10-episode cable drama series...I don't think anybody expected Vikings to have the global success that it did, they upped it to a 20-episode series, which meant that I was completely plucked out of any other opportunities...a role like this requires a lot of time and attention."

However, Ludwig also made sure to clarify that the scheduling downsides are outweighed by the positives the show has brought into his life, saying,

"That being said, I'm so grateful for the job; it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life."

With Vikings coming to an end, Ludwig will be free to chase other projects, and while it might seem like leaving the show earlier would have been a good idea for the Canadian actor, his character made that all but impossible. Keep watching the video to see how playing Bjorn on Vikings changed Alexander Ludwig forever.

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