Much blood has been shed up to now in the hit TV show Vikings and it looks like there will be plenty more when it returns to the small screen for season 5. 

Ivar is coming to terms with the death of his brother, even though he was responsible for it, but it doesn't look like he's finished with killing just yet as another opponent looms on the horizon. 

This time, it's in the form of Heahmund, a warrior bishop with a dislike for Vikings.  The character, played by Heahmund, certainly isn't shy about trading blows either and is more than ready to enter the fray if necessary. 

Show creator Michael Hirst is certainly excited about all that the new season has to offer and in particular about character of Ivar, who has the very large shoes of Ragnar to fill.

Hirst teased to Rotten Tomatoes that Ivar is certainly going to shake the show up a little and will be more than a match for his iconic father. 

"If you thought that Ragnar was great and astonishing, you will certainly see that his son Ivar matches up to him and is also a completely astonishing figure," Hirst said.

Hirst also revealed to Variety that the idea of the warrior bishop is very much anchored in real Viking history, being the forerunners to the Knights Templar.  Far from being simply religious leaders, these were men ready to fight in a very literal sense for what they believed.  

He also revealed another plot twist involving lands promised to Ragnar's sons by the late King of Wessex, Ecbert, which aren't all they are cracked up to be. 

Asked if that could pose problems for the Vikings, Hirst was clear: "That's huge. That will definitely come into play."

And from the look of the last few episodes in season 4, fans can expect a lot more conflict next season between Ivar and Bjorn Ironside in the power vacuum.  

"Viking society is all about winning and being famous, and it's very aggressive and ambitious, so you kind of know they're going to be in conflict with each other," Hirst told Variety. 

So, plenty to look forward to in season 5 when it airs.  History hasn't yet confirmed the air date for the next season but we know it's definitely some time in 2017, thanks to a confirmation update from Alex Høgh Ansersen on Instagram.

 IBTimes Australia is taking an educated guess that it will be some time in November as the break in the History series tends to average nine months. 

And it's likely the season will be split into two again like season 4.  One thing's for sure, we can't wait for it to return.