When it comes to talents, playing historical characters on screen may seem polar opposite to belting out strokes in swimming events at the Olympics. For two-time Olympic swimmer and now actress Ragga Ragnars though, there is a clear resonance. “Having a goal in mind and always being present in the moment are just some of the many similarities when it comes to preparing mentally and physically for both roles,” she says. The Icelander, who made an entry as queen warrior Gunnhild in the period TV series, Vikings, talks prepping for her role on the show and why playing strong female characters is no biggie for her.
The career switch
Before taking the big leap into acting, Ragnars swam professionally for Iceland and has participated in numerous European Championships, World Championships and two Olympic games (in 2004 and 2008). But it was when she became pregnant with her now five-year-old son, that she decided to take a break and finally realise her acting ambitions. “I’d always planned to get into acting but I decided to keep on swimming. I could act at any age, but not swim forever,” says Ragnars. Soon after, she shifted base to Los Angeles to study acting.
According to the 34-year-old actor, sports gave her the grounding that she enthusiastically builds on for her work on set. “
“Growing up, I’ve viewed women as ones who rule, run a whole country and are simply the best. This is something that was taught to me in my culture,” she stresses, adding that the strong and fierce female characters on the show, for her, are nothing but a reflection of women she has seen all these years. “It comes very naturally to me since I’ve been raised to see women in that light.”
Season 5 of Vikings airs every Monday at 10 pm on AXN