The History Channel television series “Vikings” is now filming its fifth season and casting directors are holding open call auditions for extras in Dublin and Wicklow! The History original series is written and created by Michael Hirst who is the screenplay writer of “Elizabeth” and creator of “The Tudors”. The series Vikings is described by History as it “transports us to the brutal and mysterious world of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a Viking warrior and farmer who yearns to explore—and raid—the distant shores across the ocean. His ambition puts him at odds with local chieftain Earl Haraldson (Gabriel Byrne), who insists on sending his raiders to the impoverished east rather than the uncharted west. When Ragnar teams up with his boat builder friend Floki (Gustaf Skarsgard) to craft a new generation of intrepid ships capable of conquering the rough northern seas, the stage is set for conflict. But for all its warfare and bloodshed, Vikings is also a story of family and brotherhood. As ambition and innovation rattle a civilization, these characters will be put to the test and their way of life will never be the same again”.

Casting directors are holding open casting calls to find a ton of background actors to appear on the show! They are looking for adults and teens ages 16 and up of all ethnic backgrounds. You must live locally in Ireland to be considered. Applicants must be full time Ireland residents with a working visa and PPS number. Filming is set to begin in June and will run through May of 2017. In terms of specific skills or appearances the casting team is after, they are looking for Fishermen, Carpenters, Craftspeople, Farmworkers, Axe Men/Women, Skilled swords people, M&F Archers, Bowmen & Women, M&F Rowers, M&F Sailors, Ship hands & Deckhands, Calligraphers, Latin Speakers, Arab Speakers, Musicians, Midwives, Nurses, Animal Handlers, Hunters, Blacksmiths, Lumber Jacks, Tree Surgeons, Whittlers, Males with long hair and Beards, All Sporty types, Martial Artists, Boxers, No visible tattoos, Women with naturally coloured hair, all men prepared to grow hair and beards, Men and women with punk style haircuts. This is far from a definitive list but it gives you an idea of how broad their search is so have a think beforehand and bring as much information about yourself as you can! This is not all they are looking for so if you live in Ireland and are ages 16 and up, you are eligible to audition for the series!

Auditions are being held at THE COMPLEX, 10-14 Little Mary Street, Dublin 7 (Between Capel Street & Smithfield Markets) on Monday May 23rd 2016 between 10.00am -5.00pm and Tuesday May 24th2016 between 10.00am – 5.00pm. The casting team is also holding auditions in Wicklow. This open casting call will be held on Wednesday, May 25th, 2016 from 10:00am and 5:00pm at The Grand Hotel, Abbey St, Wicklow Town.

You do not need an appointment to audition. You will only need to attend one of the audition days. Once you arrive, you will be asked to fill out an application form. The casting team will take a photo of each person when there. You should only attend the auditions if you want to be on the show as time is limited and they want to give everyone who genuinely wants to apply a chance. The process will only take about 20 minutes. They will not call anyone from outside of Ireland so they ask you do not travel to their open casting if you do not fit the criteria. Filming will be mostly in the Dublin and Wicklow areas and when you called to appear on the show, the shoot dates and fittings can sometimes be on short notice so you should have fairly open availability and flexibility.

If you attend the audition, you should know and bring all of your measurements that include your height, chest, dress, shoe size etc. You will be asked to put them on the form so get your measurements before you attend the audition. Candidates don’t have to bring an additional CV or headshot but they will accept them. If you arrive late to the open casting they cannot permit entry as they have only hired the venues out for a set amount of hours and need to vacate the premises at said times.

If you are selected they may call people anytime between now and end of filming. When called, they will discuss dates of filming and rates of pay with people and ask you to come out to the studio for fittings before your 1st day of filming. When you are at the audition, be sure to fill out the application form fully and correctly and include your name and telephone numbers to give yourself a better chance. To give yourself a better chance. Please fill out the application forms fully and correctly, include name, telephone numbers etc! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be in this hit show!