'Vikings' Season 3: How Will Athelstan & Ragnar's Relationship Change? George Blagden Talks Crucifixion & Return To Kattegat [VIDEO]
Vikings' Athelstan has been dragged from island to continent, from Christianity to paganism and back again, and the extreme changes will be taking a toll on the former monk when season 3 premieres.
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Athelstan (George Blagden) was returned to Viking society following a treaty between King Ecbert (Linus Roache) and Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), but his time abroad has created both internal and interpersonal problems for the Kattegat resident. Although Blagden is currently unsure exactly what Athelstan will face in upcoming Vikings episodes, the actor dropped a few hints about Athelstan relationship with the newly powerful Ragnar as production ramps up for season 3.
"I haven't seen a single letter of a single page of any script yet, so I have no idea what's happening BUT just knowing the way that Michael Hirst writes, when a character has elevated himself to a position of power it affects their relationship throughout, we've seen it throughout the show," Blagden explained to Spoiler TV. "When people gain more power it directly affects those relationships that they have with the other characters."
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Even if their dynamic does change, Blagden is fairly confident that the pair will soon have a conversation regarding Athelstan's season 2 crucifixion and the emotional/spiritual repercussions of his time with fellow Christians.
"I suppose Ragnar is far too observant and curious not to have noticed the markings on Athelstan's hands, but the conversation about it hasn't happened, or certainly hasn't gone any further than discovering that Athelstan endured terrible suffering during his time in Wessex," Blagden told Spoiler TV. "In terms of how it affected his views and opinions on his former religious and Christian nature I think it really did truly affect him."
Find out how Athelstan's time in Wessex will carry over into his Kattegat life when Vikings returns to the History Channel in 2015.