Over the last century, mythology, fables, and cultural tales have gained interest in Hollywood. These adapted titles include Clash of The Titans, MCU's Thor, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou, Percy Jackson and The Olympians, and many more. A common trait in numerous adaptations is the presence of Greek or Roman culture, namely in what mythological characters are shown, where the movie is set, and what cultural signifiers are included in the story. These Greek mythological stories have been adapted historically, comedically, dramatically, and repeatedly for decades.

The rise of Nordic mythology in Hollywood creations shows a shift in that trend. The creation and reception of A24's Midsommar, The History Channel and Amazon's Vikings, and Universal's The Northman demonstrate a growing demand for shows that include tales from Nordic cultures. That desire for Nordic tales, coupled with the incorporation of modern themes and Adam Price's innovative writing, is what propelled Netflix's Ragnarok to be an international success.

Netflix's Ragnarok is a coming-of-age fantasy show that tells the story of reborn Nordic gods. The show is set in the small, coastal, fictitious town of Edda. The town and its people are facing growing industrial pollution from Jutul Industries as well as rapidly melting glaciers due to climate change. Throughout the story, key characters in Edda are revealed to be reborn Nordic gods, fulfilling their destiny to return to Edda, face off against fellow gods and giants (Jötnar), and fight in the events of Ragnarok (the mythological apocalypse). Thor, Loki, Odin, Wenche, the Jötnar, Tyr, and Freya, among other mythological figures, appear in the series.

Ragnarok's Real-Life Themes

Netflix's Ragnarok
Netflix

Much of the plot of season one revolves around Magne (David Stakston) and his friend, Isolde (Ylva Bjørkaas Thedin), uncovering a massive conspiracy in Edda. The Jutul family and their corporation have been steadily poisoning the water via poorly disposed contaminated waste within a melting glacier. Isolde became a Nancy Drew-esque character, chronicling her findings online and tracking the shrinking of the glacier with her father, Erik (Odd-Magnus Williamson).

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For Adam Price, this was an important plot to weave into the show. It ties directly into the antagonistic antics of the Jutuls and gives Magne a cause to fight for. In addition to its storytelling purpose, Price detailed to Still Watching Netflix why he included this plot in his show:

“There is a very important theme in Ragnarok which is the environmental theme. We thought that was a very interesting theme to throw in not only because it is a very modern element in all our lives. So all these discussions that they are actually having in Ragnarok are very much discussions that I’m having myself on the private scene.”

In addition to environmental themes, Ragnarok grapples with ideas of what is truly Nordic. The characters – and, by extension, their literary archetypes – have been represented throughout Norwegian culture for centuries, eventually expanding to the global platform. Ragnarok sits at the intersection of old-world mythology and the modern age, showing the timelessness of the tales while also demonstrating why they would need to be adapted in order to fit today's society. While adapting the tales for the twenty-first century, the show also adapted older definitions of what it means to be Norwegian.

While the themes of being the only person of color in a predominantly white school, neighborhood, or town aren’t exclusive to this show, these themes have a different weight behind them in modern Norwegian society. There has been persistent discourse over Norwegian/Nordic identity that often revolves around meticulous details, carefully-phrased definitions, and a clear delineation between ethnicity and nationality. A widespread belief in much of Norway was that if one is not ethnically Norwegian, meaning of Norwegian descent, they cannot define themselves as Norwegian even after immigration. This idea of 'Norwegian' and 'Foreigner' has impacted Nordic film and television representation as well as national identity. Therefore, the casting of Norwegian actors of color in Ragnarok was deliberate and with great significance.

The show's production team offered commentary on Norwegian identity with the casting of Tani Dibasey was cast for Ragnarok season 1, followed by Danu Sunth for Ragnarok season 2. In Netflix's The Making of Ragnarok, Dibasey explained why the casting of him and fellow actors of color was important within the scope of Norwegian representation:

“Being able to represent diversity and a different ethnicity is really important. Especially in a show like this that is trying to demonstrate that Norwegian culture can be a lot of things.”

The Need for a Universal Hero

Ragnarok Cast Season 3 Promotional Photo
Netflix

Price explained a large part of his inspiration behind making Ragnarok in Netflix's The Making of Ragnarok.

"There are a lot of people today, at least young people, who think the world is big and scary and on the brink of an apocalypse. So I figure that people in this world need something to put their faith in. There is a need for the tale of a hero. And in our little world of Edda, there’s a hero that comes along"

It's important to recognize that Price used the term hero to describe the main character Magne -- not god. Granted, Magne is the reborn god of thunder and a predestined protector, but as a character, he is a nobody, an outcast, or even an underdog. He is thrust into a new, unfamiliar, intimidating, and at times, dangerous life in Edda. For the majority of the show, he is entirely alone. No support from family, no friends to speak of, and no knowledge of navigating this new terrain. In this characterization, Price illustrates why the audience should offer their sympathy to Magne. Eventually, though, the characterization shifts.

Related: Percy Jackson: Things That Have To Happen for the Disney+ Series to Succeed

His character arc becomes one of a hero. Magne often faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles throughout the series, and Price does not shy away from the turmoil that comes with those moments. Instead of a traditional "Hero's Journey" in storytelling, one where the hero trains, learns lessons, and eventually builds to defeat their foe, Price created a fractured hero that is equally split between Magne and Thor. Magne is simultaneously ill-prepared for a fight and called by a higher power to protect.

Half of him is a champion of violence as a means to an end... while the rest of him carefully questions the consequences that come with his actions. This inner turmoil depicted within Magne shows the conflict brewing between the god, Thor, and the human, Magne. In having this duality in Magne (and many of the other characters within the ensemble), Price capitalized on the features of both god and hero instead of having to choose just one for Magne.

Netflix’s Ragnarok
Netflix

This is what makes the show universally appealing. For some, it is a nostalgic retelling of familiar Nordic tales or, at the very least, archetypes of culturally significant stories. For others, it is a story of a hero and his adversaries, likening Ragnarok to the superheroes of Marvel, the rebels of Star Wars, and even The Odyssey. Adam Price used a unique methodology of writing the reborn Nordic gods, and in doing so, he made Ragnarok accessible and engaging on a global level.

Season one and two of Ragnarok are available to stream on Netflix. Production for season 3 was recently completed in mid-2022, and it will likely premiere in the first quarter of 2023.