BLOODAXE: The Creator of VIKINGS Returns With a Brutal New Norse Saga

The first teaser trailer for Prime Video’s BLOODAXE has arrived, promising a bloody battle for Norway’s throne, Viking rivalries, and a warrior determined to carve his name into history.

If you thought the Viking age had already given us enough bloodshed, betrayal, and ambitious warriors, think again. BLOODAXE, the upcoming historical drama from VIKINGS creator Michael Hirst and his son Horatio Hirst, has officially unveiled its first teaser trailer, taking viewers into a world where the fight for power can turn family, faith, and loyalty into deadly weapons.

The series will premiere on Prime Video on January 20, 2027, with all eight episodes of its first season arriving at once. And here’s the part that makes this announcement even more interesting: Season 2 has already been confirmed and is in production in Ireland. That is a serious vote of confidence before audiences have even seen the first episode.

Watch the First BLOODAXE Teaser Trailer

The first footage introduces a brutal world of competing kingdoms, shifting alliances, and warriors willing to risk everything to claim the Norwegian throne. Rather than focusing exclusively on battlefield spectacle, BLOODAXE sets up a larger struggle involving ambition, political power, and the people caught in its path.

For fans who remember the intensity of VIKINGS, the creative team behind this new series should immediately grab their attention. Michael Hirst returns to the historical drama territory he helped make compelling, bringing another chapter of Norse history to the screen.

Watch the teaser and see what awaits the next generation of Viking warriors.

Who Is Erik Bloodaxe?

At the center of the story is Erik Bloodaxe, played by Xavier Molyneux. Inspired by the historical Norse ruler Erik Haraldsson, the character rises through a dangerous political landscape where the crown of Norway is anything but secure.

Erik’s ambitions bring him into conflict with rival claimants and powerful rulers whose interests extend far beyond a single kingdom. As alliances shift and tensions escalate, the struggle for the throne threatens to plunge the region into chaos.

But Erik won’t be fighting alone.

Jessica Madsen, known for Bridgerton, plays Gunnhild, Mother of Kings, his formidable wife. Her character is a major force in the story, making the relationship between the two leaders an essential part of their pursuit of power.

Together, Erik and Gunnhild stand at the center of a saga where political calculation and personal ambition can be just as dangerous as an axe on the battlefield.

A Fight for Power, Not Just Another Viking Raid

One of the most promising elements of BLOODAXE is its focus on succession and the struggle to unite—or dominate—a divided Norway.

The story unfolds as King Harald Fairhair’s position becomes increasingly vulnerable, setting the stage for a contest involving rival rulers, competing loyalties, and the threat of war. Erik’s Christian half-brother, Haakon, played by Levi Miller, adds another complication to an already volatile political landscape.

The series also features Karlis Arnolds Avots as Egil Skallagrimsson, alongside Jesper Christensen as King Harald Fairhair and Rod Hallett as King Athelstan.

With Scandinavian kingdoms and English powers drawn into the conflict, the story has room to explore more than individual battles. It can examine how kingdoms are shaped by bloodlines, belief systems, strategic marriages, and the willingness to seize an opportunity before an enemy does.

And that’s where a historical drama like this can become particularly compelling: the most dangerous character in the room isn’t always the one holding the biggest weapon.

From the Creator of VIKINGS

Michael Hirst serves as co-creator, writer, showrunner, and executive producer alongside Horatio Hirst. The project is produced by MGM Television for Prime Video.

Naturally, comparisons with VIKINGS are inevitable. That series built its appeal around larger-than-life historical figures, personal rivalries, religious conflict, and the collision between Norse culture and the wider world.

BLOODAXE revisits similar historical territory, but its central story follows Erik Bloodaxe and Gunnhild as they pursue their own place in the political order.

For longtime fans, Hirst’s return is a major reason to pay attention. For newcomers, the series offers another entry point into the turbulent history of the Viking age.

One important distinction, however: BLOODAXE is a new historical drama, and viewers shouldn’t automatically assume that it is a direct continuation of the original VIKINGS storyline.

When Does BLOODAXE Premiere?

Here’s what you need to know before adding the series to your watchlist:

• Title: BLOODAXE
• Platform: Prime Video
• Premiere date: January 20, 2027
• First season: Eight episodes, released together
• Creators: Michael Hirst and Horatio Hirst
• Cast: Xavier Molyneux, Jessica Madsen, Levi Miller, Karlis Arnolds Avots, Jesper Christensen, and Rod Hallett
• Season 2: Confirmed and in production in Ireland

Should VIKINGS Fans Be Excited?

A new Viking series from Michael Hirst is already enough to get our attention, but BLOODAXE has another advantage: its story revolves around a real historical figure whose rise to power provides plenty of room for ambition, betrayal, and brutal political maneuvering.

The challenge will be balancing historical drama with the larger-than-life mythology that audiences expect from this kind of story. Spectacular battles can draw viewers in, but complicated characters and conflicts with real consequences are what make a saga worth following.

The first teaser gives us a glimpse of that world. Now we need to see whether Erik Bloodaxe can become another unforgettable figure in television’s long history of Viking warriors.

BLOODAXE arrives on Prime Video January 20, 2027. Sharpen your axes, Viking fans. The fight for Norway is about to begin.

Would you rather see another series like VIKINGS, or do you want BLOODAXE to take a darker, more historically grounded approach to the Norse world? Let us know in the comments.