The trailer for series four of Vikings proved it will have no trouble living up to showrunner Michael Hirst’s promise of it being a “monumental” season as it debuted at Comic-Con.

The time jump will bring Ragnar’s sons to the fore, but this season also centres on his return to Kattegat and the destruction he’ll bring with him.

When Bjorn Ironside (Alexander Ludwig) tells the Seer his father should not have returned, he agrees, making the harrowing prophecy: “Your father’s returns bring calamity, chaos, tragedy and death… You should curse the day.”

Creator Michael told Hollywood Reporter at Comic-Con: “This season is monumental and there are two episodes that are unlike anything we’ve ever done. There’s never been anything on TV like them before. Change is in the air.”

Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) is back because there’s “something very specific that he wants to do”.

He teased: “Rumours of Ragnar’s demise were somewhat premature, I have to say; there’s plenty of Ragnar still to come.”

The epic new trailer features many exciting hints at the episodes to come, including a kiss between Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) and Ragnar, a lesbian storyline for her character, Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland) on the war-path and an epic showdown between the Viking and Wessex’s King Ecbert (Linus Roache).

Michael warned there’s “unfinished business” between the two, but that Ragnar has “met his match” in the English King.

Rollo (Clive Standen) looks like he is back in the fold with his family, telling his queen Gisla that he can never forget his Viking heritage.

Perhaps most interesting is the rise of Ragnar’s “ruthless” son Ivor the Boneless, played by Alex Hogh Andersen, who doesn’t mince his words about taking on the world as brother Bjorn sets his sights on the Mediterranean Sea.

Michael confirmed that there will be a brief glimpse in the upcoming half of the series of Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who will be a “major player” in series five.