Eric Northman: actor, series, character biography

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Eric Northman is a character whose name is known to all true blood fans. A dangerous, ruthless and cynical vampire who has been living in the world for more than a thousand years, Alexander Skarsgård played wonderfully. What is known about this hero besides the fact that he has a soft spot for charming blond waitresses endowed with telepathic gifts?

Eric Northman: backstory

Of course, fans of the character are curious about what his life was like before turning into a vampire. It is known that Eric Northman was born in 1046. The boy was born into the family of a powerful king who ruled one of the Scandinavian states.

The childhood and youth of the Viking, who was to become a vampire, were almost cloudless. Growing up, Eric Northman turned into a reveler, ready to spend all his days in entertainment. Attractive appearance and high social status allowed the king's son to be successful with the representatives of the opposite sex.

Transformation intovampire

How did it happen that an ordinary Viking became an immortal bloodsucker? The happiest period of the king's son's life came to an end when his family was attacked. It is known that the attack was carried out by werewolves led by the vampire Russell, who by that time had lived in the world for more than two millennia. Having miraculously managed to survive the attack of monsters, Eric Northman solemnly vowed to take revenge on the enemies who destroyed his relatives.

The life of the future vampire after the death of his family turned into a series of endless battles. Eric gained a reputation as a formidable warrior, but fate did not favor him for long. In the next battle, Northman received a dangerous wound, no one believed that he was able to recover from the wound. Other warriors were about to bury the fallen Viking in battle, when the vampire Godric suddenly appeared. It is to this bloodsucker who became his creator that Eric owes his conversion to a vampire. It happened in 1077, when the king's heir was no more than thirty years old.

Character

The Thousand Year Vampire is one of the brightest characters in the True Blood TV project. Eric Northman lives by his own rules, developed centuries ago. He is stern, arrogant, convinced that turning into a vampire has put him far above mere mortals. Eric divides the world into white and black, does not know how to forgive, always takes revenge for the wrongs done. Among his negative traits, one can also name the habit of controlling everything.

Of coursevampire Northman has positive features. Eric's fans appreciate this character for his excellent sense of humor. It is hard to guess, but he is capable of compassion, to the last remains faithful to those few who managed to achieve his location. Long-term study of the human race allowed him to perfectly understand the strengths and weaknesses of people, to learn how to use this knowledge for his own benefit.

It should also be noted that the thousand-year-old vampire devotes a lot of time to taking care of his appearance, often experimenting with his hair. His wardrobe is always impeccable.

Abilities and powers

The True Blood TV project introduces viewers not only to young, but also to ancient vampires. Among the latter, as already mentioned, belongs to Eric Northman. The series begins with the events taking place almost a thousand years after Godric turned a dying Viking into a bloodsucker. In True Blood, only a select few vampires are stronger than Eric: Russell, Bill, Lilith, Godric.

Of course, Northman is physically stronger than any representative of the human race, and the vampire can easily cope with shapeshifters, werewolves. He is able to move at great speed, including through the air. Eric has typical vampire dexterity and keen senses.

Eric Northman, whose photo can be seen in the article, is a vampire who is difficult to defeat. The wounds received by him instantly disappear, for him there is no danger of injuries that can kill any person. Of course, for centuries he has not had todeal with disease and aging. A descendant of the Vikings, like other vampires, is able to control the actions and thoughts of people. In addition, he controls the bloodsuckers, which he created by himself.

Weaknesses

Of course, the ancient vampire also has weaknesses. For example, he cannot get into a residential building without first receiving an invitation from its owners. Eric Northman, like other bloodsuckers, is afraid of fire that can destroy him. He also avoids the sun's rays, which can lead to his death.

Wooden stake - a tool that can kill Northman if you stick this item in the heart of a vampire. Hepatitis D is also a danger to the king's son, which can lead to his slow death.

Eric and Sookie

Sookie Stackhouse is a charming waitress whose charm Eric Northman couldn't resist. Instinct allowed the former Viking to determine that a very strange girl was in front of him. Of course, he began to try to penetrate her story. For many months, Eric and Sookie were just business partners, Northman needed the telepathic gift that Sookie was endowed with. However, gradually the thousand-year-old vampire began to fall in love with the young waitress, not even admitting it to himself.

A step towards rapprochement was made when the former Viking temporarily lost his memory, becoming a victim of a spell. Forgetting who he is, the vampire confessed his love to the girl. Sookie, amazed by the change that had taken place in him, responded to Eric in return. Even remembering everything about his life, Northman wanted to stay with his chosen one. However, the beautiful couple, unfortunately, nevertheless broke up, as the girl could not forget her first love, torn between Bill and Eric.

Who played the character

So, who embodied the image of a charismatic hero, what is Eric Northman? The real name of the actor is Alexander Skarsgard. He was born in Stockholm, it happened in August 1976. The future "vampire" happened to be born in a large family, after Alexander, his parents had more sons and daughters. Skarsgård had barely celebrated his eighth birthday when his actor father brought him to the set. The boy made his debut in the film "Oke and His World", playing a minor role. This was followed by the film "Laughing Dog", thanks to which the young man was able to taste fame for the first time.

Alexander's star was not made by his hero Eric Northman. The actor was already popular when he was invited to the True Blood series. The real luck for him was the main role in the television project "Generation of Killers", released in 2008. The series tells about the events related to military operations in Iraq. It was after this series that Skarsgard was offered to star in a television project about vampires. According to the actor, he had to stay in the gym for weeks, trying to get into the image of a courageous Viking.