Who Is Bjorn’s Real Father On Vikings? Why It’s Probably Rollo (Not Ragnar)

Vikings has left a couple of questions unanswered, of which some are also a mystery to the characters in the series, and the biggest one is who is Bjorn Ironside’s real father: Ragnar or his brother, Rollo. Throughout its six seasons, Vikings has left clues pointing at both possibilities, but it’s most likely that Rollo is Bjorn’s biological father – here’s why. Created by Michael Hirst, Vikings began as a miniseries and debuted on History Channel in 2013, but it was quickly renewed for a second season and it’s now on its sixth and final one.

Vikings initially followed legendary Norse figure Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his travels alongside his Viking brothers, among those his real brother, Rollo (Clive Standen). As the series progressed, it changed its focus to Ragnar’s sons – Bjorn, Ubbe, Hvitserk, Sigurd, and Ivar – and their own journeys, making them the protagonists. Ragnar met his fate in season 4 when he was thrown into a pit of snakes, and he left a big mystery behind that no character has been able to answer for sure: who is Bjorn’s real father?

From the very beginning, Vikings revealed Bjorn’s mother, Lagertha, and his uncle, Rollo, were together years before the events of the series, and as the story evolved, it was hinted that Rollo could be Bjorn’s real father. To keep the mystery going, Vikings has dropped clues pointing both ways, but it’s more likely that Rollo is Bjorn’s father.

Vikings: Why Bjorn’s Real Father Is Probably Rollo

The question of whether Bjorn is Ragnar’s son or not has been floating around since Vikings began, and the mystery has only grown – however, there are some clues (and some very direct confessions) that point at Bjorn most likely being Rollo’s son. As pointed out by a fan on Reddit, when Ragnar and his whole community visit Uppsala (and take Athelstan with them to sacrifice him, but ultimately decide not to), he asks Odin to “accept this sacrifice I plan to offer you and answer me: who will bear my son?”. Lagertha had recently suffered a miscarriage, which was the event that fractured their relationship, but his choice of words seems odd when remembering that he already had a son: Bjorn. This has made fans believe Ragnar knew Bjorn wasn’t his biological son, though he always treated him like he was.

Rollo has been very straightforward when it comes to his possible paternity. He confronted Lagertha and told her Bjorn is his son, with her replying that he isn’t. Rollo then got a chance to talk to Bjorn and told him the same, to which Bjorn cleverly replied that “rumors are a doubtful truth” and that what truly mattered was who he looks most like and who he resembles most in spirit and principle, and that is “undoubtedly, Ragnar”. In terms of narrative, it works that Rollo is Bjorn’s real father and that he considers Ragnar to be it, as he was the one who raised him. Ragnar also saw him as one of his sons, to the point where Odin sees Bjorn when he takes a look at all the sons of Ragnar. Bjorn being the son of the king’s brother who the king treats as if he was his real child is something common in the genre, and it’s still an effective formula, so with that in mind, it works that Rollo is Bjorn’s biological father. Ultimately, both Bjorn and viewers will decide who is his real father: the biological one or the one who raised him and taught him everything he knows.

About The Author

Adrienne Tyler
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Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

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