Herot
Beowulf
Portrayed by: Kieran Bew (adult), Jack Hollington (child)
Beowulf is a heroic legend, a flawed but fearless warrior, who has long lived a nomadic, iterant life across the Shieldlands and beyond. He is a solitary figure, whose experiences of life are greater than the sum of his years. Now, trying to rekindle hope, love and friendship, Beowulf returns to the place that was once his home but in an ever-changing, hostile world, that home needs a protector more than ever.
Hrothgar - Past Thane of Herot
Portrayed by: William Hurt
Hrothgar was not only the Leader of the Alliance in the Shieldlands, he was considered one of the last of the great heroes and a strong protector of his kin and people. Through courage, bloody-mindedness and force of will, Hrothgar helped forge the settlement of Herot into what it is today - the beating heart of the Shieldlands. To symbolise this, he had a vast gilded hall built on the hill above it. From there, he not only ruled his people but helped them share Herot's wealth and wisdom.
Slean - Rheda and Hrothgar's son
Portrayed by: Edward Speleers (adult), George Kent (child)
Ambitious, complex, intelligent, but never quite the fighter his father was or Beowulf is. Slean has spent his life at the foot of his father's shadow, even now as he lays dead. Brave but impetuous, with a burning desire to be Thane, Slean's birthright has been denied him by his late father and instead given to his mother Rheda.
Elvina - Herot's Healer
Portrayed by: Laura Donnelly
Strong, determined, stubborn and beautiful, Elvina hails from the mysterious Mere tribe. She eventually travelled to Herot, after her people suffered a brutal massacre at the hands of the vicious Warig creatures. As Herot's healer, Elvina is held in good esteem and relied upon in times of need and is a great source of strength and support in her community. Her journey is a complex one, particularly in matters of the heart, as she gradually becomes torn between two relationships when Beowulf arrives in Herot, complicating her affections for Slean.
- Canon Character All Along: Was thought to be a character made for the series, but turns out to be the show's incarnation of Grendel's mother.
- Wham Line: Gets one in the final episode regarding the Mudborn creature who's been stalking her all season.Elvina: He has a name, the one I gave him; Grendel...He is my son.
Rheda - Thane of Herot
Portrayed by: Joanne Whalley
A leader, mother and sister; Rheda is considered, intelligent and steely. As the newly appointed Thane of Herot, she makes clear her intentions to become Jarl and ruler of the Shieldlands. With many doubting her abilities domestically and afar, her journey is a dangerous and complex one. A woman striving to lead in a man's world, it takes deep sacrifice, equanimity and true grit to fight for her place, her people and at times her life. Whilst many leaders rule with an iron fist, Rheda remains determined to be a more judicious, progressive Thane, placing equal importance on head and heart - but if pushed, Rheda can be every inch as brutal as the traitors who surround her and a match for any man.
Breca
Portrayed by: Gisli Örn Gardarsson
Liar, thief, murderer, bigot, philanderer, but quick witted and courageous when it counts, Breca truly is the 'anti-warrior'. Beowulf and he are an unlikely pairing but despite Breca's shady and at times shocking acts, their friendship endures amidst the sea of politics, distrust and conflict within Herot.
Varr - Rheda's Steward and Advisor
Portrayed by: Edward Hogg
After his mother took up with a Varni warrior, Varr was raised amongst this fearsome tribe, a culture who knew and valued nothing more than violence. As a quiet outsider, Varr suffered until he sought a new home in Herot where he now serves under new Thane Rheda in the Great Hall, as he did her late husband Hrothgar. A discerning and sage advisor, Varr is ever loyal with an unwavering integrity and would lay down his life for his Thane and Herot.
Vishka - Smith
Portrayed by: Ellora Torchia
Lila's daughter. Sassy and opinionated, Vishka is Herot's most skilled blacksmith - but she would much rather wield a sword than forge one. Drawn to rebellion, and constantly seeking adventure, she causes her mother no end of worry and, without a father, her mother carries the weight of her concerns alone.
Lila - Runs the Herot's Smithy
Portrayed by: Lolita Chakrabarti
Optimistic and warm, Lila runs the Smithy within the heart of the community alongside her blacksmith daughter, Vishka. Lila is a free-spirited widow, who speaks her mind, is comfortable in her own skin and can take care of herself and her own when the need arises.
Bayen - Reeve of Herot
Portrayed by: Nigel Cooke
As Herot's long-serving Reeve and Shieldsman, Bayen's loyalty to Hrothgar, Herot's Thane, was unquestionable and unyielding. He continues to protect the walls of Herot under new Thane Rheda.
Koll - Herot's Deputy Reeve
Portrayed by: Alex Price
As the Deputy Reeve of Herot, family man Koll has sword to protect his tribe and people from danger and serves under Bayen's command.
- The Mole: Is revealed to be a Mudborn skinshifter in episode 2.
Kendra - Smelter
Portrayed by: Susan Aderin
One of Herot's longest-serving Smelters. Highly opinionated, Kendra is no push over. Yet, beneath her tough exterior she hides a soft centre and cares deeply for Herot's Troll, a Mudborn, which most fear or treat wtih disdain.
Huskarla
Gil - Slean's Second in Command
Portrayed by: Ashley Thomas
A gifted and seasoned Huskarla soldier, Gil has some experience of the world and, whilst hardened by what he's seen, it has not dampened his spirits. Gil trains the Huskarla to the standards set by Hrothgar and his approach to his men may be more stick than carrot, but it is all with the intention of keeping them safe and, most importantly alive.
- Heroic Sacrifice He leads the stand of a dozen or so Huskarla at the Draca Bridge against the 200-strong Wulfing army after knocking out Slean and ordering both Brinni and Vishka to take him back to Herot, refusing to let the future Thane as well as the two youngest warriors die.
Brinni - Huskarla of Herot
Portrayed by: Jack Rowan
Born into a family of Huskarla - Herot's guard led by Slean, Brinni was thrust into a fighter's world. Although he dutifully accepts his role, as played by generations of men in his family, he longs to choose his own destiny. Duty aside, this young and handsome Huskarla has a secret crush on Vishka, of which she is entirely unaware. He teaches her the swordsmanship and fighting skills she craves and their fiery banter and friendship plays across the series.
Bregan
Abrecan - Thane of Bregan
Portrayed by: Elliot Cowan
A noble man, gifted warrior and loyal brother, Abrecan is a natural leader of men with a gift for rhetoric, a keen intellect and an instinct for the politics of power. He presides as Thane, over an ancient coastal tribe named Bregan, which sits at the gateway to the Shieldlands and the Farlands beyond. Abrecan is an ever-present source of love and support to his sister Rheda, taking a brief pause in his tribal affairs to support Rheda through her grief and early days as Herot's Thane.
Saray - Abrecan's Companion and Unofficial Advisor
Portrayed by: Sarah Macrae
Saray is an intelligent woman with an arresting, beguiling beauty. She was born to an impoverished family from a costal village in the Farlands and was sold at a young age to a slaver by her desperate parents. Eventually finding Abrecan, Saray fell in love and since then has had an overriding desire to protect him.
Hane - Bregan's Healer
Portrayed by: Lee Boardman
As Bregan's Healer, Hane is more of a battlefield medic than a herbs and poultices man. He is ambitious, tough, politically sagacious, fiercely loyal and through years of service to his tribe, is now Thane Abrecan's right-hand man.
Vlade - Abrecan's Henchman
Portrayed by: Keith Dunphy
Once Abrecan's right-hand man, Vlade has remained loyal to his Thane, despite no longer being on the inside of Abrecan's close circle.
Harken - Bregan's Head Councilman
Portrayed by: Ace Bhatti
Harken is an enlightened, principled Bregan council member and longstanding mentor to Bregan's Thane Abrecan. He is wise and intelligent with a great understanding of both military strategy and politics, in Bregan and beyond, but notably, without a personal ambition and desire for power.
Wisdeth
Scorann - Thane of Wisdeth
Portrayed by: David Harewood
A born warrior, fearsome fighter and man of great honour. Varni blood pulses deeply through Scorann's veins but, to strengthen the Alliance, he did his duty and married a Wisdeth bride, of a farming tribe, had farming children, and henceforth, served their sedate tribe as Thane leaving behind his life of danger, bloodshed, and exhilaration, thus abdicating his Varni legacy, to his younger brother Rate.
Banning
Lagrathorn - Thane of Banning
Portrayed by: Ian Puleston-Davies
As Thane of the Banning, a forest people living deep within the woodlands, Lagrathorn is a proud, humorous and determined leader, who is partial to a drink or ten, with the capacity to be unpredictable and dangerous in the face of defiance and disappointment. A man of tradition, Lagrathorn does not take too kindly to change but, despite being set in his ways, he still has the capacity to surprise where one would least expect it.
Mere
Gorrik - Thane of Mere
Portrayed by: David Bradley
Gorrik, aging Thane of Mere, is a proud, cantankerous and unforgiving man, who puts duty before heart. His mature years have not diminished his ability or courage when meeting men half his age in direct combat, when the occasion arises. Gorrik values sincerity and truth, rather than the politic and above all else, wants to provide for his family and people.
Kela - Gorrik's daughter
Portrayed by: Holly Earl
Despite being the daughter of Gorrik, Thane of Mere, Kela has lived in the shadows as her elder sister Mara took pride of place in their father's eyes. Kela's relationship with Gorrik is a fractious one; whilst a deep-rooted resentment is clear, Gorrik relies on Kela as his political compass and moral guide. Yet, Kela's spirit remains unbeaten and beneath her virtuous demeanour lies a shrewd and resourceful young woman, who has used her years spent in the shadows to her gain.
Varni
Rate - Thane of Varni
Portrayed by: David Ajala
As Thane of the Varni, a warrior tribe and muscle of the Alliance, Rate is a man of strength, honour and courage. Highly intelligent, sometimes terrifying, this Thane is an unquestionably powerful leader of people. A man who can in one breath take a life, but surprisingly, with the next, make you smile with his dry, impromptu wit. When the race for leadership over the Shieldlands presents itself, Rate quickly sets his sights on filling the void over the other Thanes.
Wulfings
Jogan - Headman of a Wulfing Clan
Portrayed by: Jefferson Hall
Jogan is an intelligent but unrelenting, fearsome leader of his Wulfing Raiders, who knows that rash and hasty decisions are often followed by failure. Instead, he strategises and schemes his plan of attack with precision and, in most cases, leaves his enemy face down in his dust.
Arla - Wulfing Raider
Portrayed by: Allison McKenzie
This Wulfing Raider is ferocious and determined, but despite this ambition she still executes a sense of caution and reality, often providing the voice of reason amongst her Raiders.
Draven - Wulfing Raider
Portrayed by: Liam Ainsworth
Strong, cunning and brave, Draven is a dangerous Wulfing Raider but one who is often impeded by his impatience and recklessness. A young man with an angry heart and a vengeful spirit make him a dangerous foe of Herot.
Skellan - Headman of a Wulfing Clan
Portrayed by: Emmett J Scanlan
Skellan, Warfather of one of the Wulfing clans and brother to Jogan, is an imposing and formidable leader who takes any steps necessary to bring about success for his clan in battle.
Others
Greff - a Miner of the Shieldlands
Portrayed by: Joe Sims
Greff is a miner who spends his days digging for iron ore in the forests. Whilst he appears to be the joker, this plucky miner is nobody's fool.
Razzak
Portrayed by: Gregory Fitoussi
A spice trader from the Farlands, Razzak is a fiercely intelligent and inescapably magnetic figure.
Mudborn
Grendl - Mudborn beast
Grendl is a creature who inhabits the dark hinterland between the human inhabitants of the Shieldlands and the Mudborn creatures from which they conquered it hundreds of years before. A thing of the dark, Grendl too is searching for a place to belong.
Kragen - Warig Leader
Portrayed by: Liam Scott
Kragen, brutal leader of the Southern Warig Warband, rules his Warig followers within the forests of the Shieldlands.
