Ex-'Hollyoaks' star Gerard McCarthy signs up for 'Vikings'

Published Jul 5 2012, 20:30 BST  |  By Paul Millar

Gerard McCarthy has landed a role in the History channel's first ever drama Vikings.

The actor, best known for his role as transvestite Kris Fisher on Hollyoaks, will star in the mini-series as a character called Bronsted.

The 31-year-old will star alongside Gabriel Byrne and Travis Fimmel on the show.

McCarthy said in a statement: "I can't wait to start working on Vikings, I've never been so excited about getting into a costume before.

"Dressing up as a sword wielding warrior is every little boy's dream... I still haven't grown out of that phase!"

The Irish co-production, conceived by Michael Hirst and Morgan O'Sullivan, begins shooting in County Wicklow next month.

Hirst and O'Sullivan have previously worked on similar historical dramas such as the BBC's Camelot and The Tudors.

Gerard McCarthy was earlier this year cast in forthcoming BBC Two thriller The Fall.

He will also appear in 12-part period drama Titanic: Blood and Steel later in the year.