Olaf Haraldsson

A complex figure of faith and power in the final years of the Viking Age.

Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson portrays Olaf Haraldsson in Vikings: Valhalla, a historical drama created by Jeb Stuart that premiered on Netflix. Serving as a sequel to the original series, the show is set more than 100 years after its predecessor during the St. Brice's Day massacre of 1002 and the beginning of the end of the Viking Age. Olaf appears as a main cast member through seasons one and two, but does not appear in season three, navigating the bloody tensions between Norse descendants and native English forces. The series focuses on the adventures of Leif Erikson, Freydís Eiríksdóttir, and Harald Sigurdsson, with Olaf playing a key role in the political landscape alongside King Canute the Great.

Quick Facts

Actor: Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson
First appears: Season 1
Last appears: Season 2, Episode 8

Lore & Background

In Valhalla, the narrative depicts tensions between descendants of Vikings (Norse or Danes) and native English reaching a breaking point. Olaf Haraldsson is cast as a fictionalized composite character, appearing in seasons one and two alongside main characters like Leif Erikson and King Canute the Great. The story covers the clash of conflicting Christian and pagan beliefs among the Norse themselves. While historical records mention Swein Forkbeard uniting Vikings to raid England for over a decade before taking the throne, the series depicts Swein as a king who dies in Season 1, Episode 8. Olaf exists within this fictionalized timeline where Cnut becomes joint ruler of England alongside Edmund II, contrasting with known history where Aethelred was forced into exile first.

Reader's Guide

Fans can find Olaf Haraldsson portrayed by Icelandic actor Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson in seasons one and two of Vikings: Valhalla. He is listed as a main cast member for these initial runs, working within the ensemble that includes Sam Corlett as Leif Erikson and Leo Suter as Harald Sigurdsson. The series was renewed for a second and third season in March 2022, with a total order of 24 episodes announced back in November 2019. While the show focuses on historical figures like Leif and Freydís, Olaf's specific narrative is framed by the production's setting in Ireland and later Croatia for the third season, though his presence ends before those final events unfold.

Did You Know?

Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson was cast as Olaf Haraldsson in November 2020, though earlier reports had incorrectly stated he would play Harald Sigurdsson.
The series was filmed primarily at Ashford Studios in County Wicklow, Ireland, the same location used for the original Vikings series.
Production on the third and final season wrapped in October 2022, but Olaf does not appear in season three; his death occurs in Season 2, Episode 8.
The first episode was directed by BAFTA-winning Danish director Niels Arden Oplev.

Frequently Asked Questions

In which seasons does Olaf Haraldsson appear?

He is a main character in both Season 1 and Season 2, after which he exits the series.

What is Olaf Haraldsson's central struggle in Vikings: Valhalla?

His arc is defined by the constant tension between his personal faith and the ruthless political realities of ruling Norway as the Viking Age draws to a close.