‘Vikings’ star: This warrior role is smartest choice I ever made

“MARRY Me”

“It’s one big party,” Canadian actor Alexander Ludwig said of the “Vikings” set in a recent phone interview. The hit History channel show’s third season starts Friday at 10 p.m.

The former child actor sounded stoked as he elaborated on his second season as young warrior Bjorn. “By party, I mean everybody is filled with so much energy! Filming in Ireland… the conditions can be so terrible, so the actors who sign up for this show [should be convinced that they’re] making something great,” Ludwig, who was in Los Angeles, told the Inquirer.

Ludwig, 22, starred in the films “The Seeker” and “Race to Witch Mountain” as a kid. He landed a villain role in the first “The Hunger Games,” a few years later.

What attracted you to Bjorn and how do you feel about playing him again?

It’s been a creative experience. In every scene, it’s like playing a different character because he’s growing—from a young boy into a man who, you know, becomes a legend.

When did you start acting and how did you land this role?

I started at 9, in commercials. This role came to me when one of the executive producers saw “The Hunger Games,” and thought I very much resembled the original Bjorn and Travis (Fimmel), who plays my father. They called and asked me to meet the heads of the studios.

I was already familiar with the show. I was in love with it and, more importantly, my friends were in love with it. It was pretty much a no-brainer for me. It’s definitely the smartest choice I ever made.

How different is doing a TV series from doing a movie?

If this were 10 years ago, I would imagine it would be extremely different. But now there’s such great content on television. The only difference is that you become part of the fans’ lives. Every week, they tune in and see you. And you get to tell a story for an extended period of time. I get to live this life, for longer than two months… for a year.

Who are your biggest influences?

ALEXANDER Ludwig says there is currently “great content on television.”

I would say Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine, you know… I think Leonardo DiCaprio is doing a really great job; he’s a very lovely man.

How long does one episode take to complete?

Two weeks.

What makes it attractive to viewers?

The lack of glamour and Hollywood in it is great! I like how raw it is; I’m very much attracted to that. More importantly, our writer, Michael Hirst, is an exceptional talent who really cares about creating in-depth characters and discovering intricacies between them.

What do you wish to accomplish ultimately, as an actor?

I want to make great stories and inspire people. I want to leave knowing I made the world a better place.

RTL CBS shows

RTL CBS’ new sitcom “Marry Me,” airing Friday at 9:30 p.m., stars Casey Wilson as the lovable but over-the-top Annie and Ken Marino as her level-headed and totally enamored boyfriend, Jake.

Tomorrow, all 13 episodes of the new season of “House of Cards” will be aired by RTL CBS, starting at 4 p.m. The political drama series stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright.

‘Man Fire Food’

“Man Fire Food” takes host Roger Mooking across the United States, meeting home cooks, pit masters and chefs who are fascinated by food and celebrate the passion for cooking with fire. The show airs on Mondays, 7:30 p.m. on the Asian Food Channel.

‘MasterChef Asia’ search

A+E Networks Asia has greenlighted a pan-regional Asian version of the global hit reality cooking show “MasterChef.”

“MasterChef Asia” will debut on Lifetime later this year. The 15-episode series will film in Singapore. Amateur cooks can submit their audition videos on masterchefasia.com until March 5.