‘Bloodaxe’s' First Look Takes Us Back to ‘Viking’ Times
Behold, we finally have a look at Xavier Molyneux and Jessica Madsen in "Bloodaxe".
We first learned that Prime Video was developing a splashy new period drama about the infamous Viking warrior Erik Haraldsson roughly a year and a half ago. Since then, there have been multiple Bloodaxe casting updates, a Season 2 renewal, and the announcement of a New York Comic Con panel promoting the show’s debut, all without ever giving viewers any idea about what the series might look like. Thankfully, that long drought is over, and Prime Video has finally dropped a sizeable batch of images from Bloodaxe’s forthcoming first season.
These first looks will feel pretty familiar to anyone who watched series creator Michael Hirst’s other hit historical shows, Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla. The scale is suitably epic, the costumes dramatically lavish. (There are a lot of fabulous furs and cloaks.) The series’ stars look suitably ferocious and intimidating, as befits the epic characters they’re playing.
Xavier Molyneux stars as the titular “Bloodaxe,” son of Harald Fairhair, first king of Norway. Erik ruled for just two years before being deposed and exiled, but the bloody fight for the throne before, during, and after his reign looms large in many Icelandic sagas. The series will also depict Erik’s marriage to a fascinating woman named Gunnhild (Jessica Madsen), who may or may not have existed and was also rumored to be a powerful witch. Known as the Mother of Kings because several of her sons ruled (or co-ruled) after she and her husband were deposed, the sagas tend to depict her fairly negatively: Cruel, manipulative, sexually insatiable. Basically all the familiar slanders history loves to attach to any sort of powerful woman.
Here’s the series synopsis.
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.
(Photos: Bernard Walsh/Prime Video)
Australian actor Molyneux stars in his first major lead role as Erik Haraldsson. Alongside Madsen (Bridgerton), the series also stars Rod Hallett (Prime Target) as Athelstan, King of Wessex; Jesper Christensen (Foundation) as King Harald Fairhair; Rune Temte (Time Bandits) as Gorm, King of Denmark, and Gunnhild’s father; and Sisse Marie (Siren) as Gunnhild’s mother, Thyra, Queen of Denmark.
Other cast members include Karlis Arnolds Avots (Soviet Jeans) as the vengeful sorcerer Egil, Levi Miller (A Wrinkle in Time) as Haakon Haraldsson, and Alina Tomnikov (The Worst Idea Ever) in the dual roles of Greta and The Seer. Season 2 will add Maddy Ambus (Sister Boniface Mysteries), Steven Brand (The Sandman), and Lasse Steen (What Lies Between Us) in recurring roles.
(Photos: Bernard Walsh/Prime Video)
Hirst and his son Horatio serve as the series’ showrunners, writers, and executive producers. Additional executive producers include Steve Stark under his Toluca Pictures label, Arturo Interian, Morgan O’Sullivan, John Weber, and Sheila Hockin.
Bloodaxe does not yet have a premiere date. The series has already been renewed for a second season.
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