Prime Video has renewed the upcoming historical drama Bloodaxe for a second season before a single episode has aired, demonstrating strong faith in the production. The series, from Vikings and The Tudors creator Michael Hirst, is set to debut in 2027.
Plot and Cast
Bloodaxe chronicles the lives of legendary Viking warrior Erik Bloodaxe, played by Xavier Molyneux, and his formidable wife Gunnhild, Mother of Kings, portrayed by Bridgerton actress Jessica Madsen. The series follows the pair as they battle for Norway's throne amid brutal conflicts and shifting alliances. Violent double-crossings and chaos threaten the kingdom's existence, with rival Scandinavian monarchs and an English sovereign posing dangers.
The first season also features Karlis Arnolds Avots, Levi Miller, Rod Hallett, Alina Tomnikov, Sisse Marie, Rune Temte, and Jesper Christensen. The series is co-created and executive produced by Michael Hirst and his son Horatio Hirst.
Early Renewal and Production
Amazon MGM Studios' Peter Friedlander commented: "With Bloodaxe, they have created a sweeping saga that combines rich historical detail, compelling characters, and cinematic scale. As we continue to build a slate of premium global event series for Prime Video customers around the world, we are thrilled to renew Bloodaxe for a second season."
Michael Hirst said: "As the writers and showrunners of Bloodaxe, Horatio and I are very excited to announce that Amazon have also already commissioned a second season of our new Norse saga for Prime Video, which begins shooting in Ireland within a few weeks." He added: "We recognise how fortunate we are and we would both like to thank Peter Friedlander and Amazon MGM Studios for their belief in us and in this new incarnation of a show which means so much to millions of people across the world."
Creative Vision
Hirst elaborated on the show's approach: "We are so proud of the way Bloodaxe has turned out, in terms of its incredible storylines, its powerful invocation of Viking beliefs, its dramatic recreation of the way that Christianity has started to overcome the pagan world, and - not least - the way we use magic realism in an effort to induct the audience into a Viking mind-set." He concluded: "Basically, now the cat is out of the bag, we are thrilled that we can soon offer a world-wide audience the chance to re-enter the beautiful Norse world."
