The cast of “Vikings”

The historically accurate world in "Vikings" is a pop-culture thirst for the Dark Ages in all its primitive guts and glory. With a touch of romance and familial rift to strengthen the humility of these ancient nomadic characters, "Vikings" sets itself apart from the rest.

As the critically acclaimed series prepares to set sail on its third season, it's clear the Canadian-Irish production has developed a style of its own by scrapping the "adult only" content that appears popular on some of its rival dramas. With 10 Norseman ships and roughly 6,000 extras now on set, season 3 of the hit historical drama "Vikings" premieres Thursday, Feb. 19, on History.

For many fans, season 2 marked the end of a bloody era as Ragnar (Travis Fimmel, "The Baytown Outlaws," 2012, "The Beast") rose above his humble ranks by defeating King Horik (Donal Logue, "Gotham") in a final showdown, thus becoming king of his people (despite a few problems on the home front). But with great power comes great responsibility, and the new king is tasked with leading his people to the shores of Wessex, where the English have promised fertile agricultural land, but it's too soon to tell whether the proposed treaty will be honored.

This season, however, Ragnar's imperial ambition leads the Vikings beyond the isle of modern-day England and into the heart of western Europe. In what will be "the first raid of Paris," Ragnar and his band of Norsemen will work together to infiltrate the mythical city of Paris, an urban center unlike any the Vikings have seen before.

"When we get to France, people are not going to expect what [the Vikings] find because the Franks -- or the people who lived there at the time -- were very Eastern," said show creator Michael Hirst of what's to come in season 3, at San Diego Comic-Con in July last year. "The Roman Empire had spread its influence down to France, so there's African influence and Egyptian influence. The court in Paris will be unlike anything you've ever seen."

Clive Standen ("Robin Hood," "Camelot") who plays Rollo, Ragnar's impulsive brother, reiterated that sentiment in an exclusive interview with TV Media.

"I saw this spectacular battle sequence that comes in episode eight, and it’s unlike anything I think most people have ever seen on a television show before, and what we’ve accomplished is, from my point of view, truly amazing," he said. "The scale of it is magnificent. ... It’s nothing like Paris is today. The vikings have never seen anything like that, and they've never come up against a force like that. We’ve got battering rams, we’ve got huge towers. The Franks themselves have some machinery and some anti-siege weaponry that’s never been seen by the vikings before. They’ve met their match."

It's an exciting time for "Vikings" fans, and there's a lot to look forward to in season 3. It's not for a lack of hard work, either, and Standen told us that the cast and crew are just as thrilled about the upcoming season as the show's followers.

Clive Standen and Travis Fimmel as seen in “Vikings”

"If I could talk to the potential viewers and the fans that already watch it, [I'd tell them] I’m having such a blast, and I’m really proud of season 3. It’s been the hardest season we’ve had to do. It’s four times bigger on scale, and I just hope that they enjoy watching it as much as we enjoy filming it because we put everything into it and we really wanted to give everybody a kick ass season to beat the second."

Season 3 will also introduce a contrast of new characters, including Harbard, played by Canadian actor Kevin Durand ("Real Steel," 2011, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," 2009). While Harbard is described as a lowly wanderer who turns up unexpectedly when Ragnar and the others are away, this new character has a profound effect on Queen Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland, "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit," "The Devil Wears Prada," 2006), as well as Siggy (Jessalyn Gilsig, "Glee") and Helga (Maude Hirst, "The Tudors"), all of whom share the same dream.

Viewers will also be introduced to Emperor Charles of France, played by fellow Canadian actor Lothaire Bluteau ("24," "The Tudors"). According to a recent statement released by History, Charles is a powerful but troubled man who views battling the Vikings (no spoilers) as part of his spiritual destiny.

Fimmel will continue to lead the cast, along with Katheryn Winnick ("Love and Other Drugs," 2010) as Lagertha, an Earl and fierce shield maiden, and Gustaf Skarsgåard ("The Way Back," 2010) as Floki, Ragnar's eccentric friend. But the personal and sometimes brotherly dynamics in the next season are expected to undergo some major changes, Winnick said at the July Comic-Con last year.

"You will see every character have their own arcs all within 10 episodes," Winnick said beside fellow castmate Alexander Ludwig ("The Hunger Games," 2012), who plays her son Bjorn. "It's really hard for a past lover or husband to see his ex-wife come into power in her own right. ... But do they still have that love for each other? Do they still have that chemistry? Maybe."

These are just some of the questions posed at the beginning of season 3, but viewers will have to tune in to find out what happens next in this Iron Age series of ocean navigators and explorers. Be sure to catch the season 3 premiere of "Vikings" when it airs Thursday, Feb. 19, on History.