Prime Video has renewed its upcoming Viking drama, Bloodaxe, for Season 2 months before its series premiere comes out. Bloodaxe is a story about Erik Bloodaxe, a 10th-century Norse king, and his formidable wife, Gunnhild. The series, from the creator of Netflix‘s Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla, launches in early 2027, and now we know there will be a Season 2.
Bloodaxe‘s renewal is quite early; Season 1 doesn’t even have a premiere date, first-look photos, or trailer yet. The cast, however, has been announced. Xavier Molyneux and Bridgerton‘s Jessica Madsen lead the series as Erik and Gunnhild.
The series is created, written, and executive produced by Michael Hirst (The Tudors, Vikings, Vikings: Valhalla, Billy the Kid) and his son, Horatio Hirst. The epic historical drama tells the true story of legendary Viking warrior Erik Bloodaxe and his formidable wife, Gunnhild, Mother of Kings. Season 2 production is slated to begin this August in Dublin, Ireland.
“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,” Hirst said. “We recognize 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. We should add that 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 mindset. Basically, now [that] the cat is out of the bag, we are thrilled that we can soon offer a worldwide audience the chance to re-enter the beautiful Norse world.”
Here’s what you need to know about Season 1.
What is Prime Video’s Bloodaxe about?
In Season 1, Bloodaxe chronicles the rise of one of history’s most famous Norse raiders, Erik Bloodaxe, and his formidable wife, Gunnhild, Mother of Kings. As they fight for the throne of Norway, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals. With war looming and chaos consuming the kingdom, drawing in the ruthless Kings of other Scandinavian countries, and even a powerful English ruler, the stage is set for a thundering, cataclysmic, compelling, and utterly magical new Norse Saga.
Who is in the Bloodaxe cast?
Bloodaxe Season 1 stars Xavier Molyneux in the titular role and Jessica Madsen as Gunnhild, Mother of Kings.
Karlis Arnolds Avots plays Egil, a poet, farmer, murderer, sorcerer, ladies’ man, and a bit of a psychopath, he is seeking revenge on Bloodaxe for the exile of his family to Iceland by Erik’s father, King Harald Fairhair.
Levi Miller plays Haakon the Good, the younger half-brother of Erik, according to Deadline.
Rod Hallett plays Athelstan, the shrewd and powerful King of Wessex, who is also a formidable warrior. Years ago, he formed a strategic alliance with King Harald Fairhair concerning his young son Haakon, and has been grooming him for future leadership, and to ensure his influence extends beyond Wessex.
Alina Tomnikov plays the dual role of both Greta and The Seer. Greta is an esteemed shield maiden and a close member of Bloodaxe’s trusted group of warriors. However, it’s revealed that she has the ability to transform into the form of an ancient woman, known as The Seer, who possesses an all-seeing power and the ability to divine the future as ordained by the gods themselves.
Sisse Marie plays Thyra, the Queen of Denmark, wife of Gorm, and mother to Gunnhild. She is an admired figure, cunning and steadfast, and will do whatever she can to ensure the longevity of her and Gorm’s power and rule.
Rune Temte plays Gorm, the King of Denmark, husband to Thyra, and father to Gunnhild. Sharp and devious, Gorm lacks the brash, hot-headedness prized in many Norsemen, but his calculating, diplomatic, and occasionally brutal approach to rule has made him one of the most formidable powers in Scandinavia.
Jesper Christensen plays King Harald Fairhair. The First King of all Norway, who conquered his many powerful rivals, was nearing the end of his legendary reign. Fairhair relies on the love and support of his son, Bloodaxe, and begins to fear that many of his sons are now plotting against him.
Where is Bloodaxe filmed?
Bloodaxe Season 1 was filmed in Iceland and Ireland. It began filming in summer 2025. Season 2 production begins in August 2026 in Dublin, Ireland.
“Michael and Horatio are skillful storytellers whose work has consistently demonstrated the global appeal of ambitious historical drama,” said Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios. “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.”
Bloodaxe, Series Premiere, Early 2027, Prime Video