Lagertha might be the mightiest shield maiden in Vikings, but, for me the strongest woman will always be Gunnhild.

Gunnhild is played by former Iceland Olympic swimmer, Ragga Ragnars. Ragga, who competed in Athens (2002) and Beijing (2008), ended her career in Sports when she had her first son. She chose to dedicated herself to acting instead.

Born in Iceland in 1984, and very tall (she’s 1m88), Ragga estudied acting in the Unites States and her first role was already in Vikings.

She was first seen on Season 5, when King Harald goes back to England. Gunnhild was married with Jarl Olavsonn, Ivar, The Boneless trusted man in York. They fight the Saxons, and lose. Gunnhild survives. She killed Bishop Heahmund and hurts Bjorn, being made captive after the fight. That’s how she first meets Bjorn Ironside and Lagertha.

Naturally Bjorn falls for her, and she for him. She is beside him when he takes Kattegat back.

As Queen, Gunnhild is practical and just, as in everything. Even when she is betrayed by Bjorn, when he falls for Ingrid. Even pregnant, Gunnhild she goes to support and save Lagertha. Gunnhild aproves Ingrid and Bjorn’s marriage. She miscarries and buries her son alone. Immediately after she fights the Rus. When we saw her last, she faced Oleg, but jumped into the water to save herself. On the second half of Season 6, it seems that Gunnhild will offer herself as a sacrifice to join Bjorn in Valhalla.

Ragga‘s beauty and sympathy are essential to the charisma of the character. As even Torvi recognizes, she is an extraordinary woman.