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The series develops several new or more significant characters that were introduced in the first season. The first is Æthelflæd, who is now shown as a grown woman. She would later be an important historical figure in leading Mercia to full independence from Viking occupation. She is depicted as marrying Æthelred, who was Lord of Mercia, that is the areas of Mercia free from Danish rule. The series focused on Æthelred and Æthelflæd getting married as a key alliance to bring the non-Dane parts of Mercia into closer alliance with Wessex. Their marriage was shown, however, as unhappy, where Æthelred was shown to be abusing her and simply using her for his own benefit. There is some historical account to suggest they had an estranged or less than happy marriage, although the two did form an important political combination in Mercia.<ref>For more on Æthelred and Æthelflæd, and their role in uniting Mercia and Wessex, see: Marafioti, N. (2014) <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442647582/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1442647582&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6adde8dd803068319e28a91c24747861 The king’s body: burial and succession in late Anglo-Saxon England]</i>. Toronto Anglo-Saxon series. Toronto, University of Toronto Press, pg. 58.</ref>
Another key character introduced in the first four episodes was Guthrumis Guthrud. He was likely a Dane and he may have been a Christian. It is unclear if he really was a slave, but accounts do suggest that was the case. While Alfred was shown as scheming to help make him king, the reality is less clear. He may have simply become king because the population of Northumbria was becoming increasingly intermixed and having a ruler showing greater sympathy to the Danes and Christian Anglo-Saxons may have suited everyone in Northumbria. He also may have simply succeed succeeded normally as any Dane would, but the Anglo-Saxons tried to make it look legitimate through the stories of St. Cuthbert selecting him. There is a story that St. Cuthbert's body did not decay and, in the series, he is shown as relatively well preserved, as his corpse is used to give the new king Guthrum Guthrud his blessing.<ref>For more on St. Cuthbert, see: Marner, D. & British Library (2000) <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0712346864/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0712346864&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8c244d371d8366274e6a7cc14f71af96 St. Cuthbert: his life and cult in medieval Durham].</i> Toronto; New York, University of Toronto Press.</ref>
One of the Vikings was HasteinHaestein, who seems to be a key aid to the leader Norse in the series, namely the brothers Siegfried Sigefrid and Erik. While Siegfried and Erik seem fictional, Hastein Haestein is known to have come to England in the late 9th century and did launch some devastating attacks. His role, however, in this season is more minimal, focusing on his support of the two Norse brothers.<ref>For more on HasteinHaestein, see: Craughwell, T.J. (2008) <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592333036/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1592333036&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=44291a423dc425c1f210eca587ff0e8d How the barbarian invasions shaped the modern world: the Vikings, Vandals, Huns, Mongols, Goths, and Tartars who razed the old world and formed the new].</i> Beverly, MA, Fair Winds Press, pg. 199.</ref>
The story also introduces Osferth, who likely was Alfred's illegitimate son. The historical records on him do not make it clear, and in the series he is shown as a monk who wants to join Uhtred's warriors. There does exist records from Alfred's will that suggests Osferth was a son of Alfred's, where he is called kinsman, and he even held some important positions as ealdorman in historical texts.<ref>For more on Osferth, see: Abels, R.P. (1998) <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1138808121/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1138808121&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=011e368cfa6485952d2a7141c26bb10a Alfred the Great: war, kingship, and culture in Anglo-Saxon England. The medieval world].</i> Harlow, England ; New York, Longman, pg. 48.</ref>
