After binging season 1 of Vikings: Valhalla, we are waiting for some more details about the show, and to increase our knowledge about Nordic Journey. Vikings: Valhalla is a spin-off of Vikings, which is set after a century from the original show. One of the characters, who has outdone his character, is Sam Corlett as the historic figure of Leif Erikson. But how Corlett can justify the character Leif? Let’s find out.

Vikings: Valhalla is a historical drama streaming television series by Jeb Stuart for Netflix, starring Sam Corlett, Frida Gustavsson, Leo Suter, Laura Berlin, and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson. 

Leif is the son of Erik the Red, the brother of Freydis. He is the founder of Greenland, where his subjects expected him to be violent like his father. We see the character Leif, grows, found a romantic partner, and go to battle. But, as he grows and developed his personality as a leader, he became torn up in paganism and Christianity.

Now, let’s hear what Sam Corlett has to say about his character in Vikings: Valhalla.

Sam Corlett Tapped Family Trauma to Play Leif Eriksson in Vikings: Valhalla

In a conversation with the Hollywood Reporter, Sam Corlett, who plays the character of Leif, claims, “I think it was my life experiences that imbued me to want to tell stories.”

He explains the character Leif from Vikings: Valhalla has grown up in a house where violence is the answer to everything. As he is the son of Erik the Red, one of the most violent Vikings of all time, you can’t expect more than that. He expresses his own upbringing is not too dissimilar to his mom’s. He was always absolved of the trauma that has come through his family. Corlett feels connected to Leif in terms of trauma. Everyone has always expected more from Leif, as his father was exiled from Norway. Leif was expected to do greater things in life.

While talking about his upbringing, Corlett describes his mother as a warrior and how trauma can be inspiring. He confesses, “Whether it be like — you know, my mom battled cancer three times while I was growing up; the second one, she had breast cancer, and it was the full nine yards of the chemo.” 

He also added, “And my uncle was an incredible artist, musician, poet and, unfortunately, alcohol took him away early. He passed away when I was 17 or 18, and I only consciously remember meeting him once and it was when he was in the hospital.”

His life journey from childhood is quite an emotional rollercoaster ride for him. Therefore, he connects to Leif, the Nordic warrior, in a long run.