Factual

ZED has officially launched production on Knut, the Viking Emperor, an ambitious four-part documentary series that explores the extraordinary life and legacy of one of the most powerful rulers of the Viking Age. What sets this project apart is its use of advanced generative artificial intelligence to recreate all historical scenes, promising a visually striking and immersive experience unlike anything seen before in historical documentaries.

Directed by Fabrice Buysschaert, the series follows Knut’s rise from a young warrior to the architect of a vast northern empire, uniting Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and England under one crown. Each episode will delve into a key chapter of his story:The Birth of a Viking Warrior,The Revenge of a Landless King,The Last Duel for England and Knut the Great, Master of Northern Europe.

The project is being produced for Histoire TV in France and has already been pre-bought by major international broadcasters, including SVT in Sweden, ZDF Studios in Germany, and Sky HISTORY in the UK. The first images will be revealed at the upcoming Sunny Side of the Doc, with the series scheduled for delivery in spring 2026.

Manuel Catteau, President and Founder of ZED, describes the series as “a great European epic, brought to life by an outstanding team of partners,” expressing hope that Knut will resonate with audiences across the globe.
Broadcast partners have echoed their enthusiasm. Christophe Sommet of Histoire TV calls the series “an exceptional production” that strengthens their position in a competitive market. Nikolas Huelbusch of ZDF Studios praised the collaboration and the continuation of a successful relationship with ZED, while Kelly Hornsby of Hearst Networks UK highlighted the innovative visual storytelling and Knut’s enduring historical significance.

Mikael Osterby of SVT International perhaps put it best, noting that Knut is “the most thrilling of all Viking stories—almost too good to be true”—and sees the series as a step forward in how factual storytelling can evolve through new technologies like AI.