the swede hell on wheels
Sarah Martinez
Updated on June 09, 2026
The Swede and Cullen engage in a final, frantic tussle that ends with soldiers riding to the scene just before The Swede kills his captor. While Cullen undergoes painful surgery to save his leg, The Swede is tried, convicted and sentenced to death. He doesn’t escape the noose this time; as Cullen watches, he is hanged.
Who kills The Swede in Hell on Wheels?
After Cullen (Anson Mount) saved Naomi and William from The Swede (Christopher Heyerdahl) — who managed to put a bullet in Bohannon’s leg — Cullen insisted on taking The Swede on a two-day ride to be judged and hanged for his latest murders.
Is Thor Gundersen based on a real person?
A: No, definitely not. The Swede — Thor Gunderson — was bellyflop champion in Norway back in 1855 and 1856, so I knew he could take that shallow dive and come out smiling. Q: [Laughs] Is that the backstory you invented for The Swede this year? A: Invented!?
What happens to Cullen Bohannon and Naomi?
Cullen Bohannon returns to the secluded Hatch family home to reunite with Naomi — and to inform her about The Swede’s execution — only to find that, during their long separation, his wife has more or less committed herself to Isaac Vinson (Toby Hemingway), who barely escaped being killed by The Swede in Episode 508.
Who was Thor Gunderson?
Christopher Heyerdahl, who plays Thor Gunderson, a.k.a. “The Swede” on AMC’s Hell on Wheels, talks about the Swede’s new identity and being fully committed to his character.
What happened to Cullen bohannons leg?
Bohannon rushes to beat the Swede to the farm. The Swede finds his way to the Hatch farm, kills Naomi’s father and sister, and stalks her and baby William into the woods. Bohannon, though, is not far behind. However, The Swede shoots him in the leg and they struggle in a river.
How did Cullen Bohannon hurt his leg?
Bohannon has no comment. Gundersen makes reference to Bohannon’s leg wound several times in an attempt to rattle him … his friend at the Confederate prison camp was also shot in the leg before gangrene set in. Bohannon is fazed only by the fact that The Swede actually had a friend.
Was Cullen Bohannon a real person?
Cullen Bohannon, as depicted in the series, was not a real person. Bohannon is a composite character loosely based on a few of the real people in similar positions that worked on the Transcontinental Railroad. Bohannon, is a former Confederate officer, was based on Union Major Gen.
Who played Gruber in Gotham?
Gotham (TV Series 2014–2019) – Christopher Heyerdahl as Jack Gruber – IMDb.
Why did Naomi leave Cullen?
MacKenzie Porter was recast as Naomi for Season 4, due to Williams’ scheduling conflicts after she joined the cast of ABC’s Black Box.
Is Cullen Bohannon the father of the baby?
William Bohannon is the infant son of Cullen and Naomi Bohannon.
Does Cullen Bohannon end up with Mei?
The answer, in the end: he’s neither. Cullen ultimately decided to board a ship for passage to China to reunite with Mei. “Allowing him to leave his battle behind, setting him free, opening up a new chapter that allows the audience’s imagination to work rather than closing it down,” Mount says.