‘Bloodaxe’ Is Michael Hirst’s New Norse Series Following ‘Vikings’

Few television creators have influenced modern perceptions of the Viking Age quite like Michael Hirst. The writer and executive producer is the mastermind behind ‘Vikings,’ the Canada and Ireland co-production that aired on the History Channel for six seasons from 2013 to 2020.

That series became a cultural phenomenon, significantly boosting the popularity of legendary Norse seafarers in mainstream entertainment, leading to the follow-up series ‘Vikings: Valhalla’ on Netflix, which ran for three seasons. Now, Hirst is preparing to revisit that universe with a project he insists is entirely distinct.

Amazon’s Prime Video has officially greenlit ‘Bloodaxe,’ a series that will chronicle the rise of Viking warrior Erik Bloodaxe and his wife, Gunnhild, known as the Mother of Kings. The historical drama is co-written by Hirst and his son, Horatio, marking the younger Hirst’s debut as a writer.

Filming took place in Ireland and Iceland, and the series is currently in post-production, with its release anticipated on Amazon Prime Video. A second season is already in the works, indicating strong confidence from the production team.

Speaking to Variety at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, Hirst confirmed that the first season has already been filmed and described it as “spectacular,” emphasizing that while it shares some DNA with ‘Vikings,’ it is “a new world.” He clarified that although ‘Vikings’ fans will likely be attracted to it, the show stands apart, noting that he had no involvement in ‘Vikings: Valhalla’ and that ‘Bloodaxe’ tells a completely new story set 100 years later with an entirely new cast.

Erik Bloodaxe, whose real name was Eric Haraldsson, was a Norwegian king who ruled from 932 to 934 and was also twice King of Northumbria. Hirst described the show’s third central character, Egil, as a “killer and a poet” and “a gift from the gods,” full of contradictions that make him endlessly intriguing. The first season will focus on the conflict between Erik and Haakon, with Egil serving as the wild card at the heart of the narrative.

The cast features Xavier Molyneux as Erik Bloodaxe and Jessica Madsen as Gunnhild, alongside Levi Miller as Haakon, Karlis Arnolds Avots as Egil, and a supporting ensemble that includes Jesper Christensen and Rune Temte. MGM Television, a division of Amazon MGM, is producing, with several key producers from the original ‘Vikings’ returning in executive producer roles.

Hirst also shared insights at Monte-Carlo about his long-held dream project, a story rooted in medieval France. This project is based on a book that explores the conflict between the Cathar sect, viewed as heretics by the Catholic Church, and the Inquisition, set in a small village in the Pyrenees.

Hirst described the book as leaving him “spellbound” and elaborated on his enduring fascination with magical realism, which will also be a feature of ‘Bloodaxe,’ connecting real history to a world where gods and mythology intertwine with the daily lives of its characters.

With ‘Bloodaxe’ ready to carve its own legacy on Prime Video, the question now is whether Hirst has another epoch-defining hit on his hands. Are you prepared to follow a new generation of Norse warriors into battle, or does your loyalty still lie with Ragnar Lodbrok and the world of the original ‘Vikings’?