HISTORY(R)'S HIT DRAMA SERIES 'VIKINGS' RETURNS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 AT 9 PM ET/PT

San Diego, CA. - July 20, 2018 - HISTORY's hit drama series "Vikings" returns on Wednesday, November 28 at 9 PM ET/PT, it was announced today from San Diego Comic-Con International. An exclusive trailer from the mid-season five premiere was unveiled to nearly 5,000 fans during the "Vikings" cast panel held in Ballroom 20 this afternoon at Comic-Con.

In the mid-season five finale, the divide between the Lothbrok family climaxes with Ragnar's sons battling each other to rule the world. The long-awaited faceoff ends with a strategic victory going to Ivar the Boneless (Alex Høgh Andersen) who vows vengeance on his betrayers with a direct target on Lagertha's (Katheryn Winnick) back. Last seen in an unstable state and losing her appearance as a fierce Viking warrior, Lagertha is hopeful she will regain her spot in Kattegat as its rightful leader.

Season five returns on November 28 with the arrival of a legendary Viking, the famous Duke Rollo (Clive Standen), who causes further upheaval in a Kattegat still reeling from Ivar the Boneless becoming its King. As Bjorn (Alexander Ludwig) and Lagertha flee Ivar's murderous forces with Bishop Heahmund (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), Ivar's tyrannical reign over Scandinavia ushers in a new Dark Age, the likes of which have never been seen. Ultimately, Ivar's reign will not go unchallenged by the sons of Ragnar and old enemies will become allies to defeat the despot who has declared himself a God on earth. Meanwhile in Iceland, Floki (Gustaf Skarsgård) battles the elements, and his own settlers' desire for revenge, to forge a Viking colony on the beautiful and desolate landscape.

Across all platforms, the last season of "Vikings" averaged 11.2 million viewers per episode. "Vikings" is a top five drama across all of cable this year and finished its season as the #1 original series on cable on Wednesday nights among all key demographics (Live+SD). Vikings averaged 3.7 million total viewers in Live+7.

The twenty-episode season six of "Vikings" is currently in production in Ireland.

"Vikings" is the critically acclaimed series from creator and sole writer Michael Hirst (Academy Award(R) winning film Elizabeth and the Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) nominated series "The Tudors") and is a family saga that tells the remarkable tales of the lives and epic adventures of the raiders and explorers of the Dark Ages.

Hirst serves as executive producer along with Morgan O'Sullivan, James Flynn of TM Productions (The Count of Monte Cristo; "The Tudors"), Sheila Hockin ("The Tudors," "The Borgias"), John Weber of Take 5 Productions ("The Tudors," "The Borgias"), Sherry Marsh and Alan Gasmer. Arturo Interian is executive producer for HISTORY.

"Vikings" is an international Irish/Canadian co-production by TM Productions and Take 5 Productions. MGM Television serves as the worldwide distributor outside of Ireland and Canada. "Vikings" is produced in association with Corus Entertainment.

About HISTORY(R)

HISTORY(R), now reaching more than 96 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network's all-original programming slate features a roster of signature series including Pawn Stars, American Pickers, The Curse of Oak Island, Alone as well as the hit drama series Vikings and Knightfall. The HISTORY website is located at history.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/history and Facebook at facebook.com/history.