When the opportunity arose to interview Clive Standen, aka the often shirtless berserker, Rollo Lothbrok, I jumped at the chance.
To calm my nerves before the interview, I had several mimosas at breakfast made a list of goals.
- Be cool – I used to interrogate bad guys for a living, for heaven sake. This should be easy in comparison.
- Remember to push record on the video camera.
- Attempt to put actual words into coherent sentences. In English, preferably.
Upon entering the interview room and before I had a chance to squeak out “Hello, Clive”, I was enveloped in the biggest bear hug and heard the words, “It’s nice to meet you” whispered in a husky British accent in my ear. I may have moaned audibly.
Source Goal #1 – Be cool. Result – Failure.
We chitchatted about his move to Toronto to film his new show, Taken, how he had been working crazy long hours on night shoots and how he had gotten his ass handed to him by a crazy Russian during the previous night’s fight scenes. Actually, he chatted. I tried very hard to concentrate on getting the video equipment set up without swooning.
Goal #2 – Remember to push record on the video camera. Result – Success!!
TN – What every Viking fan wants to know – When is Season 4b starting?
CS – I kind of know. I’m not allowed to tell you. *laughs* This year. Sometime. It’s soon but it’s going to be worth the wait. This second half of the season is crazy. Just when you think you know what’s going on then there will be shocking twists and turns. Rollo’s arc changes dramatically. Ragnar’s arc changes dramatically. Lagertha’s arc changes dramatically. You’re in for a blast.
UPDATE – History will be airing the second half of season 4 starting Wednesday, November 30th at 9pm!!
TN – Rollo seems to have an almost paternal relationship with Bjorn. In the trailer for season 4b we see Bjorn reuniting with Rollo, even though he said he hated his uncle (for his betrayal) during the siege on Paris. How will Rollo’s relationship with Bjorn will be affected?
CS – You have to remember that sometimes people say things that they don’t really mean. There’s a fine line between love and hate. It’s a very twisted convoluted relationship. There is depth there between Rollo and Bjorn. I can say there are no paternity tests in those days. It’s very hard to say who Bjorn’s biological father is. We know there was something going on between Lagertha and Rollo. Ragnar stole Lagertha from Rollo. Like he stole everything else from Rollo. Rollo is the catalyst to Ragnar’s destiny changing. Bjorn may need Rollo for some more nurturing and guidance into the future.
Wait.. What?!? Lagertha had both Ragnar and Rollo? I didn’t think I could want to be Lagertha more. Now I do.
Dear Michael Hirst, can you please release Vikings – The Early Years and tell us more about the Ragnar – Lagertha – Rollo love triangle. Or threesome? I’m not picky.
TN – Women love Vikings – in large part to the incredibly well written and portrayed female characters. What are women going to like about Taken?
CS – Vikings has a big female following because the female characters are fully rounded women. There’s a lot of tv shows (where) they aren’t like that. Michael Hirst writes women just as roundedly as he writes the male characters. Taken is no different. We have Alex Cary who wrote most of Homeland. As you can tell, Claire Danes’ character is a fantastically written woman.
We talked about two of the scariest stunts he’s done – leaping off a 30ft castle backwards and being trampled by horses (watch the video below starting at 6:50) and why he hates the term “strong women” (watch the video below starting at 12:19. It is THE most incredible answer.)
Other random things I learned
He wants to be a pirate.
He likes poutine.
He loves Niagara Falls.
He’d like to learn a different language.
He needs caffeine.
He really appreciates his fans.
He is incredibly charming!!
In the end, I am not completely convinced I achieved Goal #3.
Can’t get enough of Clive Standen? You can watch his Q&A panel from Fan Expo Canada here.
Who do you think Bjorn’s father is? What are you most looking forward to when Season 4b returns?
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