For fans who mourned the end of Vikings, the wait for a worthy successor is nearly over. Michael Hirst, the mastermind behind that epic saga, returns with Bloodaxe, a new Norse drama that promises to plunge viewers back into the treacherous world of medieval power struggles. Prime Video has officially announced that the series will premiere on January 20, 2027, with all eight episodes of its first season dropping at once—a binge-watcher's dream.
The announcement came during a lively panel at New York Comic Con, where stars Jessica Madsen and Levi Miller treated fans to the first teaser trailer and key art. The show will be available exclusively on Prime Video across more than 240 countries and territories, ensuring a global audience can dive into the saga simultaneously. And for those already hooked, there's more good news: a second season has been greenlit and is currently filming in Ireland, so the story will continue beyond the initial batch.
At the heart of Bloodaxe is a couple whose ambition could ignite a kingdom. Xavier Molyneux stars as Erik Bloodaxe, a legendary Norse warrior, while Jessica Madsen portrays his wife, Gunnhild, known as the Mother of Kings. Together, they set their sights on the throne of Norway, but their path is anything but smooth. Rival claimants, shifting alliances, and betrayals lurk at every turn, making the acquisition of power as perilous as holding onto it.
The stakes extend far beyond Norway's borders. Scandinavian kings and a formidable English ruler are drawn into the conflict, turning a domestic power struggle into a geopolitical chess match. This broader canvas allows the series to explore how a couple's personal ambitions can ripple across nations, a theme that Hirst handles with the same nuance he brought to Vikings. The relationship between Erik and Gunnhild is the emotional core, and their partnership—both romantic and political—will be tested in ways that could fracture their bond or forge it stronger.
Hirst, along with his son Horatio Hirst, serves as writer, showrunner, and executive producer, ensuring a continuity of vision that fans will appreciate. The supporting cast is equally impressive, featuring Karlis Arnolds Avots, Rod Hallett, Alina Tomnikov, Sisse Marie, Rune Temte, and Jesper Christensen. With such a talented ensemble, the series promises to deliver the complex characters and moral ambiguity that made Vikings a cultural phenomenon.
One of the most exciting aspects of Bloodaxe is its release strategy. By dropping all eight episodes at once, Prime Video allows viewers to immerse themselves in the story without waiting week to week. This approach has become a hallmark of streaming, and it's particularly well-suited to a serialized drama where cliffhangers and twists are best experienced in rapid succession. Meanwhile, production on Season 2 is already underway, though no premiere date has been set yet—so fans will have to savor the first season while they wait.
For those eager to get a taste of what's to come, the teaser trailer offers a glimpse of the epic scale and visceral action that await. The series also arrives amid a wave of exciting Prime Video offerings, including the heist thriller that recently topped the charts and the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie. But for fans of historical drama, Bloodaxe is the one to mark on the calendar.
With its focus on a power-hungry couple, Bloodaxe offers a fresh angle on the Viking saga, blending political intrigue with personal drama. As Erik and Gunnhild navigate a world where loyalty is fleeting and betrayal is commonplace, viewers will be drawn into a story that asks how far one will go for a crown—and what it costs to keep it. Mark January 20 on your calendars; this is one journey you won't want to miss.
