'Vikings': History Channel scripted series gets a first look

Speaking of teases, check out this one from the History Channel, or specifically EnTV which bills this "opening sequence" of the forthcoming "Vikings" as an exclusive (so noted).

"Vikings" is interesting for a whole host of reasons, notwithstanding the first-among-equal reasons: This is History's second entry into scripted programming, following the "Hatfields &  McCoys," and we know how that turned out.

A&E chief Nancy Dubuc is being pretty aggressive with HC -- already the top (I think) ad supported cable network in the land. "Vikings," which will be its first scripted series, arrives early March and will be produced by Michael Hirst -- a master of period dramas ("The Tudors") who tends to mix nudity into his shows for that little extra pop designed to lure male viewers.

Nudity in "Vikings"? Who knows -- it was kinda cold on the high seas when they invaded places like Iceland. Stars Aussie Travis Fimmel who was pretty good in the flawed-but-interesting "The Beast," Patrick Swayze's last starring role before his death.

Also, Gabriel Byrne has joined the series.