The History channel may have gotten more than they bargained for when they put a shout-out for 8,000 extras to be featured in the upcoming series of the Vikings. From what we saw in Temple Bar on Tuesday, there was well over 30,000 willing, mainly hairy, Irish patiently waiting in line on day one of auditions.
The line wrapped itself around Temple Bar, up and down alleyways. It was so long, in fact, that it took six minutes to walk its length. When we told crowd control at the top of the line how many people had turned up their response was happy profanities.
You can see why the Irish would be perfect for Vikings extras. Irish hipsters have as good beards as their cousins over in Brooklyn and the asymmetrical, dreadlocks look the characters of the History channel drama rock make a lot of the girls in the crowds on Tuesday a shoo-in for roles.
Shooting for the show is set to start in April and according to the show’s Facebook page, they’re looking for 8,000 Viking look-a-likes to work throughout the 16-episode shoot.
The epic Irish-Canadian series is now entering its fourth season and will once again film in Wicklow. Filming will primarily take place in Ashford Studios, as well as in other parts of County Wicklow and Dublin. Previously the show has filmed in locations such as Glendalough, Powerscourt, and Killruddery House.
Rather brilliantly, the official "Vikings Extras Event Page explained, “In terms of specific skills or appearances we are after Fishermen, Metal Workers, Carpenters, Craftspeople, Farmworkers, Axe Men/Women, Skilled swords people, M&F Archers, Bowmen & Women, M&F Rowers, M&F Sailors, Ship hands & Deckhands, Calligraphers, Latin Speakers, Musicians, Midwives, Nurses, Animal Handlers, Hunters, Blacksmiths, Lumber Jacks, Tree Surgeons, Whittlers. [sic]”
But of course! You have to be able to pretend that you’re a real life calligrapher!
They continue to explain that they’re looking for men with beards who are six-foot tall and “sporty,” no visible tattoos, and women with natural hair. All men must be prepared to grow beards and women and men with punk haircuts are also in demand.
There was certainly a grungy, punk vibe to many of the people along the massive line on Wednesday, but there were also all different types of folks, young, old, clean cut and preppy. The event page also pointed on that “THIS IS NOT A DEFINITIVE LIST OF APPEARNCES, SKILLS, HAIRSTYLES! [sic]”
Extras coordinator Stephen Kirk told the DailyEdge.ie that those chosen wouldn’t all be guaranteed loads of work over the year. He said, “Some people get loads of work out of it, but you might also end up getting killed in a battle scene.”
If you fancy playing battle with the Vikings or being featured as the Latin speaker #5 on the hit show this year you’re still in with a chance.
Further auditions are taking place here:
Dublin - Filmbase, Curved St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.
Wednesday, April 1 2015, between 9:30am and 5pm.
Wicklow - The Grand Hotel, Abbey St, Wicklow Town
Tuesday, April 7 2015, between 10am and 6pm.
Here's the trailer for season 3 of the Vikings:
Comments