Disney+'s 'must-watch' historical crime drama led by completely unrecognisable Vikings star

A cherished actor from the Vikings universe is set to make his comeback to television in a captivating new period crime thriller.

The debut trailer for the forthcoming Scandinavian series To Cook a Bear reveals an intricate and compelling mystery set against the stunning vistas of 19th Century Sweden.

Adapted from the bestselling novel by Mikael Niemis, the six-episode series arriving on Disney+ next week stars Gustaf Skarsgård, renowned for his portrayal of the beloved shipwright Floki in History Channel and Prime Video's acclaimed show Vikings.

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The Swedish actor, who has also recently featured in the films Oppenheimer and Black Bag, is virtually unidentifiable from his Vikings character in early glimpses of the new programme.

Devotees of the historical drama will undoubtedly do a double-take as Skarsgård has traded his thick facial hair, bald scalp and body art for a smooth-faced appearance and flowing, curled locks to embody a clergyman in 1852, reports the Express.

The enigma unfolds when the minister arrives in the isolated settlement of Kengis, Northern Sweden, accompanied by his family.

His optimistic principles quickly set him at odds with the regional establishment, yet his fervent preaching sparks transformation for the better amongst the impoverished locals - until a terrifying sequence of incidents rocks them to their foundations.

A plot summary for the programme issued by Disney+ continues: "With a strong belief in justice and change, he challenges the local elite but faces resistance as his fiery sermons ignite hope for a better life among the poor farmers.

"At the same time, the village is shaken by disappearances and frightening rumours of bear attacks. When the pastor and his Sámi foster son, Jussi, lead the search, they make a horrific discovery that creates deep rifts in the village's fragile community.

"The pastor is drawn into a dangerous battle, where forbidden love, power struggles, and brutal acts push the village toward a violent reckoning where no one is safe. What are the villagers willing to do to protect themselves, and where does the line between justice and vengeance lie?"

Supporting Skarsgård is a stellar ensemble cast featuring talent from acclaimed Nordic series and major Hollywood films, including Ane Dahl Torp (The Wave), Magnus Krepper (The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest), Jonas Karlsson (A Piece of My Heart), Tyra Wingren (The Boy Next Door), Simon J. Berger (Exit), Emil Kárlsen (Let the River Flow), Johan Widerberg (A Man Called Ove) and Pernilla August (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace).

Skarsgård revealed in a statement: "The end of the 1800s were a very interesting time in the northern parts of the Nordics and it's been a privilege to bring Mikael Niemis' great thriller to the screen.

"We shot To Cook a Bear in over 40 different locations in Finland and the northern parts of Sweden, using the stunning Nordic landscape to deepen the drama and show both the beauty and brutality in the wilderness.

"It is a dark and intense story about social exclusion, truth, and humanity with an amazing Nordic cast."

Don't miss the first trailer for To Cook A Bear, a must-watch for fans of riveting and moody historical thrillers.

To Cook A Bear premieres Wednesday, 15th October on Disney+.