Prime Video has announced that Bloodaxe, a new historical drama from Vikings creator Michael Hirst, has been greenlit for a second season even before its first season has aired. The series, set to premiere in 2027, will chronicle the true story of legendary Viking warrior Erik Bloodaxe and his wife Gunnhild, Mother of Kings.
Plot and Cast
Bloodaxe follows Erik Bloodaxe (played by Xavier Molyneux) and Gunnhild (portrayed by Bridgerton star Jessica Madsen) as they fight for the throne of Norway amid fierce battles and shifting rivalries. The show promises blood-soaked betrayals, war, and anarchy, with threats from Scandinavian kings and an English ruler.
The season 1 cast also includes Karlis Arnolds Avots, Levi Miller, Rod Hallett, Alina Tomnikov, Sisse Marie, Rune Temte, and Jesper Christensen.
Renewal and Production
Michael Hirst co-created and executive produces Bloodaxe with his son Horatio Hirst. Speaking about the season 2 renewal, 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.”
Amazon MGM Studios executive 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.”
Historical Context
The series aims to invoke Viking beliefs and dramatize the transition from paganism to Christianity, using magic realism to immerse audiences in the Viking mindset. Michael Hirst noted: “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.”
Bloodaxe is expected to premiere on Prime Video in 2027.
