Jessica Madsen to Lead Prime Video Viking Drama 'Bloodaxe'

Prime Video has found the leads for its latest historical drama, Bloodaxe. The series aims to chronicle the story of the famous Viking warrior Erik Haraldsson, who was also known as Bloodaxe among several other colorful nicknames. ("Brother-Slayer" was one of them, if you're curious about where this story is going.)

Newcomer Xavier Molyneux is set to play Bloodaxe. Best known for his role on the Australian soap opera Neighbors, he'll take on the role of a figure about whom scant historical details are known. His rule was short-lived, and he and his wife were supposedly overthrown and exiled. But Erik Haraldsson is a prominent figure in various Norse Sagas from the period, thanks to the legend that he killed several of his brothers in his quest to claim the throne of Norway. Bridgerton alum Jessica Madsen will take on the role of Gunnhild, his wife and queen, a woman who is more commonly known as the Mother of Kings because several of her sons ruled or co-ruled the kingdom after she and Erik were deposed.

In many ways, Gunnhild is a more fascinating figure than her husband. It's not 100% clear that she even technically existed, and the various sagas that mention her paint her as everything from a murderess to a powerful witch. Depending on who you read, she's uncommonly cunning, viciously cruel, and endlessly power-hungry, not to mention sexually insatiable, and/or supposedly tutored in the magical arts by a pair of Finnish wizards. In short, she's a great choice to lead a television drama, simply because everything about her story is so darn dramatic, no matter which version of the legend you choose to believe.