We'll be catching up with our sea-faring marauders on Thursday, and we'll also be (re) introduced to Bjorn Ironside, aka Bjorn Jarnsida, the son of the great Ragnar Lothbrook and his (ex) wife Lagertha the shieldmaiden. Of course, as we know, the Vikings saga has fast-forwarded four years into the future, and the young pre-teen is now a warrior man. But what should you know about the great Bjorn Ironside? 

Well, according to Viking legend, Bjorn has just as great a legacy as his father:

  • During his reign, he conducted many successful raids on France, picking up where his father left off;
  • He expanded on his father's conquerings, expanding the Viking influence into the Mediterranean, most notably in Sicily;
  • He eventually teamed up with his half brothers Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye and Ivar the Boneless to make the Vikings the most successful sea marauders of the era;
  • (Spoiler alert!) When King Aella captured, and killed, his father Ragnar, Bjorn led the raid against King Aella to take vengeance for his father's death;
  • When he retired -- as a rich Earl -- he also inherited the Kingdom of Uppsala.

Now, if the actor playing Bjorn looks familiar, it's because you've seen him as Cato in The Hunger Games! Meet Alexander Ludwig, the handsome tow-headed actor who will be bringing the great Bjorn to life on the small screen. Did you know:

  • He has legitimate Viking blood in him? 
  • His father, Harald Ludwig, is co-chairman of the board at Lionsgate Entertainment Group?
  • He was a child star, with roles in Air Bud 2 and Race to Witch Mountain?
  • He was up for a Razzie for Worst Screen Combo for his role in Grown Ups 2, but he lost to Will and Jaden Smith for After Earth?
  • He has a single out called "Liv it Up (Teenage Wasteland)"?

The new episode of Vikings premieres this Thursday at 10 p.m. on The History Channel.