Episode 1

Gudrun has risked everything to save her daughter, Sigrid.

But she’s double-crossed by her supposed ally, King Sweyn of Denmark. Knowing he's made a powerful enemy he plans to get rid of her.

Starring Kate Phillips.

Lucy Catherine's Viking epic of love, revenge and faith inspired by the 11th century Icelandic sagas.

Gudrun ...... Kate Phillips
Freija ...... Samantha Dakin
Marlas ...... Amir El-Masry
Orm ...... John Lightbody
Grim ...... Joseph Ayre
Sweyn's Guard ...... Sean Murray

Iceland is now an occupied country, its people forced to convert to Christianity by the ruthless King of Norway, Olaf Trygvasson.

Series 3 saw Gudrun attempt to overthrow the regime and rescue her daughter who is being brought up in the new faith, by entering into an uneasy alliance with Olaf's rival King Sweyn of Denmark. Their scheming saw Olaf meet a bloody end but instead of supporting Gudrun's campaign to return to Iceland Sweyn double-crossed her. Now, alone and in shackles, Gudrun awaits her fate.

Despite the warmongering and bloodshed Gudrun is a story of family and a mother's love. An avenging angel forged from violence, she continues to try and lead a good life in a man's world. She longs for the freedom to make her own rules.

Gudrun is under the protection of Freija, the Norse Goddess of love and war. Freija's voice cries out for a new kind of leadership. She can sometimes be as slippery a customer as her protégée - is she really on Gudrun's side or does she have an agenda of her own?

Producer: Gemma Jenkins

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2018.