'Vikings' season 6: All you need to know about the powerful new character Oleg the Prophet

From Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) getting the ending she deserves to exploring the three new worlds, a lot has been promised in the final installment of History Channel's flagship show 'Vikings'.

As old characters say goodbye in the most typical 'Vikings' style possible, new characters seem to be flowing in. We now know that Russian movie actor Danila Kozlovsky has been cast in season 6 as Oleg the Prophet.

The importance of Oleg the Prophet is hinted at in the 20-second trailer that was recently released where we see Ivar the Boneless (Alex Høgh Andersen) in Rus, trying to make comeback and rise in power, instigating a certain someone to fight against "our brothers."

Popular opinion is that Ivar is in conversation with Oleg the Prophet. Fans are now trying to figure out what role this particular figure will play in the final season, especially after an explosive season 5 finale where Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig) emerged victorious and took over Kattegat, dethroning his younger half-brother Ivar.

However, details of the show have been kept under wraps. Going merely by historical facts, here's what we know about the mighty prince Oleg of Novgorod.

Oleg of Novgorod, or Oleg the Prophet, was a legendary figure who belonged to the set of Vikings who raided the lands of the Eastern Slavs instead of Western kingdoms. Oleg took control of the northern Slavic center and in 882, he captured the southern Slavic center Kiev, making it his capital.

In fact, Oleg is credited to be the founder of the powerful medieval kingdom of Kievan Rus — the predecessor of modern Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, according to The Russian Primary Chronicle of the 12th century.

The Chronicle describing him as a "skilled warrior," narrates his expansive power and his successful raid of Constantinople when the Byzantines bought off the Slavs with a huge amount of money and a promise of free trade for the Slavic merchants in the Empire.

Reigning with might and negotiating lucrative relations, Oleg became a famous Rus Viking. The story of his death reads that he was prophesized by a pagan priest to die because of his favorite stallion. In order to prevent that, he sent his horse away.

Years later, when he enquired what had happened to his favorite stallion, he was told that it was dead. Oleg decided to visit the burial place of his stallion, and there he was bitten by a snake, which killed him instantly, thus, fulfilling the prophecy. 

Speculating about Oleg's role in the upcoming season, fans have suggested that Ivar will team up with Oleg, who will be more ruthless than Ragnar Lothbrok's youngest son. "I thought maybe Ivar would team up with Oleg, the guy more ruthless than Ivar, not come up against him. What I do know though is that Prince Dir will also be in season 6a. Prince Dir and his brother Askold ruled Kiev until Oleg captured and executed the both of them. Bjorn maybe could be coming up against Prince Dir and then Ivar helps Bjorn with Oleg’s troops?" a Reddit user said.

"But Oleg of Novgorod was the guy who made Kyiv the center of Rus, to begin with. In order to do that, he overthrew Askold. Askold is traditionally thought of as one of Ragnar’s grandsons, meaning that the events of the show are still taking place a generation before Oleg did that," another argued.

Yet another speculation has it that he is the brother of King Olaf, the one who joined Bjorn and Hvitserk at the end of season 5. 

However, we still don't know what role Oleg is slated to play on the show as the details are being kept tightly under wraps. Guess we'll find out when 'Vikings' returns for season 6 later this year.