‘Vikings’: Rollo’s Most Shocking Moments
Rollo, played by Clive Standen, has had numerous shocking moments on History’s Vikings. With the final season just around the corner, let’s take a look back at the character’s most memorable moments on the series.
Rollo rebels against Ragnar
The first betrayal of many comes in the form of Rollo rebelling against Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), his brother. He teams up with Jarl Borg (Thorbjørn Harr) in the first episode of season 2 titled Brother’s War. They fight against Ragnar and King Horik (Donal Logue). Ragnar wins, and Rollo surrenders when he sees his brother mid-battle. Somehow, Rollo is allowed to live and betray Ragnar another day.
He defends his brother’s children and wife
While Ragnar is away raiding, Jarl Borg, feeling slighted, attacks Kattegat while it is easy for the taking. Rollo luckily is left behind and is able to get Ragnar’s family away. They run to safety and Rollo takes care of them until Ragnar can return. He finds warriors willing to fight in defense to get Kattegat back. And just like that, Rollo has redeemed himself in the eyes of Ragnar, at least for now.
Rollo cuts a soldier’s leg
In season 3 while resting alongside some English soldiers, Rollo decides to cut one of their legs with an ax twice. He’s tripping on mushrooms at the time as well. “It was just the angle of the leg. I couldn’t help myself,” he tells Torstein (Jefferson Hall). Numerous fans wondered why Rollo cut the man’s leg and theorize reasons behind it.
He betrays Ragnar again
At the end of season 3, Rollo again takes an opportunity presented to him to betray his brother. The Emperor Charles (Lothaire Bluteau) manipulates Rollo into giving up his Viking life for one of privilege. He offers him to marry his own daughter, Gisla (Morgane Polanski), which he accepts. From here on, he has chosen his side. When the Vikings return, he successfully propels them away and out of Paris.
Ragnar knew what his brother was capable of because he’d experienced it before. The only reason Rollo was left in Paris is because Ragnar was too sick and wasn’t able to make the deciding factor sooner. When he arrives on the shores of Paris, he is well aware of what’s happened when he doesn’t see the settlement they left behind. Rollo and his new soldiers killed every person left.
He helps betray Lagertha and Bjorn
In season 5, Rollo helps Ivar the Boneless (Alex Høgh Andersen) defeat Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), who was at that time Queen of Kattegat. Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig), her son, is also betrayed. Many fans were wondering why Rollo would choose to betray the pair, whom he has every reason to be loyal to.
Standen spoke to ET Canada about why Rollo made his decision. “He sees Hvitserk (Marco Ilsø) in himself and he needs to give him these soldiers and his boats so Hvitserk can go back to Ivar, this brother that is so like Ragnar,” he says. “He is giving him a chance to shine and make himself famous.”
Rollo declares Bjorn Ironside as his son
Rollo finally returns to Kattegat after so many years of being away. He finds Lagertha and Bjorn. Rollo insists that they return to Francia with him. “You know I have always loved you, Lagertha, and that Bjorn is my son,” Rollo says to Lagertha. Lagertha flat out denies that he could be Bjorn’s father, something Vikings fans have long thought to be true.
These are just a few of the many memorable moments Rollo has had on Vikings. It will be interesting to see how he is portrayed in the final season of the series.
