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THEY CAME FROM the land of the ice and snow.
And from Cork…
It was Vikings audition time once again in Dublin this morning. The (mostly) bearded hordes descended on the city centre casting venue from early this morning in the hope of getting some screen time in the latest season of the epic historical drama.
Veterans and neophytes alike, they made for a diverse bunch – with Scandinavians, Croatians and hopefuls from even further afield all showing up to put their names down for extras gigs.
Despite the long line (it stretched a full block and around a corner at one stage) – those who had been through the process before were quick to reassure others it wouldn’t take all day.
According to Joseph, who appeared in the series last year: ”It’s Quick. Basically you fill in a form, take a picture and that’s it.”
Once producers have your details, you have to wait until the week of the shoot before getting a call-up, he explains.
An archery teacher by trade, Joseph fulfilled more than a few roles in the History Channel series last year, including that of an Arab trader – but he said extras can’t be particularly choosy about what they’re asked to do.
Most of the time it doesn’t matter what you are cast as, because you are a blob in the background – or you are deep background and you’re not even a blob any more.
Not taking any chances
Further up the queue and kitted out in full Norse regalia, Rolf from Germany was also returning for a second time. Life got in the way of his Viking ambitions last year, he explained – but he’s hoping for more screen time this time out.
“Yeah, I was working a few days for them last year. Unfortunately then I got a full time job.
I hope this won’t happen again.
The process
Casting notices that went up on Facebook and on lampposts around the city in recent weeks asked for adults of “all shapes and sizes” and (their caps) ALL RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS.
That said – this being Ireland, the majority lining up on Little Mary Street today fell firmly into the ‘white men with beards’ category.
Waiting at the door, Corkman Ollie said he was up out of bed at the crack of dawn to make his way to Dublin this morning.
His qualifications? ”I’ve blonde hair and blue eyes… I’m actually of Danish descent.”
A few feet away Dubliner Ronnie Fogarty – a veteran of several historical dramas (Rebellion and Ripper Street, amongst others) – was hoping yet again to catch the eye of casting agents on the hunt for ‘character’.
“I always seem to be either a very poor man or a rough man,” he said with a smile, adding:
Of course, I’m not anything like that at all.
Produced by the Wicklow-based Octagon Films, who also created Love/Hate and The Borgias, Vikings has been shot in studio and on location in Ireland since 2013 and is now entering production for its fifth season.
According to some of its tried-and-tested background stars – while fun, the filming process is often far from glamorous.
“Especially when it’s raining and cold in Ireland, then it’s long and tough,” Rolf told us (undermining his warrior appearance ever so slightly).
Apparently getting a line in the series, though more lucrative than simply filling up space in the background, can seriously hamper your future employment prospects, according to some final words of advice from Joseph.
People who talk out of turn in front of the Norse marauders have a habit of getting killed…
Yes.. Nothing is sure about your survival, if you are on camera for just one second.
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Since when did we start calling it a block? The que went down the road and around the corner? What’s wrong with that. One-minute it’s a list about how great Ireland is and then trying to morph into everybody else…
Richard you have to be a citizen of the United state of Eire. Say stuff like like, block, oh my god and whatever other imported crap the kids say. Get with the programme :-).
Because down the road is not the same as a full block !
And awesome to describe anything you like, pass me a shotgun!
I’ve always said around the block. Maybe your from the sticks and didn’t have blocks.
Conor , thank you! I was beginning to think I was the only one who said that ..
I’m thin with short hair and at the time had no beard.i was cast as a monk and they paid me to shave my hair. It’s a good laugh.
Stay away from the young little vikings while on set
Great day out for the gingers and blondes. Hope ye all were successful.
I remember when Braveheart was filmed here and they had to keep cutting the battle scenes because fellas were caught on camera wearing glasses.
I was caught having a sneaky can of cider in a furze bush.. chased away by some lad on a horse.. braveheart was unreal craic.. :)
That’s funny Darren.It was like a big piss up.
I did this last year in which i enjoyed .You get well paid and looked after really well. But some of the extras get a bit too excited on it then all of sudden they think their movie stars all of a sudden
In my day the queue used to stretch the length of the street and around the corner.
I’d love to do it!!! As long as there was no nudity lol
I’m sure you’re gorgeous enough to command any scene Rosie.
Good to see they’re looking for all religious and ethnic backgrounds. The lack of diversity on that show is problematic to say the least.
I thought I saw a black guy on it once..Or maybe he was just a really dark Viking..They got good tans when they invaded east.
“problematic” sooo trigggggerrred, where is my safespace?
The Protestant Vikings were the worst.
Dead right Beachmaster.
More diversity.
We all know that the Battle of Clontarf had plenty of Chinese and Mongolians and Apaches and Masai Warriors in it.
Even Kerry people.
We all know that Brian Boru was really killed by a Sumarai warrior from Tokyo.
Diversity indeed.
Me too
A long day with the queue of beards
Slave labour, they get paid really bad
But the fame …… that fifteen microseconds of fame!
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