LOVEFiLM buy History's THE VIKINGS

The History Channel's first serialised drama The Vikings has found a home in the UK. Unexpectedly, it's landed at the feet of Europe's biggest film rental company LOVEFiLM. After so much Stateside buzz about Netflix and Amazon getting into the "original programming" business, it looks like LOVEFiLM would like an online exclusive too. Who knows, they might make a few dramas of their own one day.

The Vikings is a Canadian-Irish drama following the exploits of legendary chieftain Ragnar Lodbrok (The Experiment's Travis Fimmel), who yearns to find undiscovered lands across the sea with his family and followers. He's helped in his endeavour to raid the south of England by craftsman Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard), his brother Rollo (Clive Standen), and shieldmaiden Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), but there's opposition from local ruler Earl Haraldson (In Treatment's Gabriel Byrne).

The show is created by Michael Hirst, best-known for writing Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, before creating Showtime's The Tudors. He's also produced Showtime's The Borgias and Starz's short-lived Camelot.

All 9 episodes of season 1 will debut on LOVEFiLM's streaming service on 24 May in the UK, and 15 June in Germany. LOVEFiLM is a subsidiary of Amazon.com.