Prime Video has finally pulled back the curtain on its next great historical epic. At a packed New York Comic Con panel on October 9, the streamer unveiled the first teaser trailer and confirmed the premiere date for Bloodaxe, the Viking-age saga from Vikings creator Michael Hirst. The series premieres January 20, 2027, with all eight episodes of season one dropping at once — and, in a remarkable show of confidence, a second season is already filming in Ireland before a single episode has aired.
For fans of Norse television, this is the moment that has been a long time coming. Hirst’s original Vikings ran from 2013 to 2020 and turned semi-legendary Norse figures into some of television’s most compelling characters. Its Netflix follow-up, Vikings: Valhalla, kept the longboats sailing. Now Hirst is returning to the fjords with a brand-new saga — and this time, his co-creator is his own son.
The story: a throne soaked in blood
Set in 10th-century Norway, Bloodaxe chronicles the rise of one of history’s most feared Norse raiders, Erik Bloodaxe, and his formidable wife Gunnhild, known to history as the “Mother of Kings.” As the couple fights for the throne of Norway, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals.
As the conflict intensifies, the struggle draws in the ruthless kings of other Scandinavian countries and even a powerful English ruler — with war looming and the kingdom on the brink of chaos. The result, according to Prime Video, is a thundering, cataclysmic, compelling and utterly magical new Norse saga.
Erik Bloodaxe is a figure who genuinely walked the earth: a 10th-century king of Norway, son of Harald Fairhair — a nice piece of symmetry, since the series casts veteran actor Jesper Christensen (Spectre) as King Harald Fairhair himself.
Who is in the cast?
The first season is led by Xavier Molyneux (Neighbours) as Erik Bloodaxe and Jessica Madsen — familiar to Bridgerton viewers as Cressida Cowper — as Gunnhild, Mother of Kings. Levi Miller (Pan, Kraven the Hunter) plays Haakon, Erik’s younger half-brother.
The wider ensemble includes:
- Kārlis Arnolds Avots as Egil Skallagrimsson, the poet seeking to avenge his family
- Rod Hallett (Outlander) as King Athelstan of Wessex
- Alina Tomnikov in the dual roles of Greta and The Seer, a mystical figure with divine visions
- Sisse Marie (Rebel Moon) as Queen Thyra of Denmark
- Rune Temte (Eddie the Eagle) as King Gorm of Denmark
- Jesper Christensen as King Harald Fairhair
Behind the scenes: a family saga in more ways than one
Bloodaxe is created by Michael Hirst together with his son Horatio Hirst, who previously played Bishop Grimketel in Vikings: Valhalla and now makes his writing debut. The pair serve as showrunners and writers, and executive produce alongside Morgan O’Sullivan (O’Sullivan Productions), Steve Stark (Toluca Pictures), Arturo Interian, John Weber, Sheila Hockin and Fred Toye. The series is produced by MGM Television, a division of Amazon MGM Studios.
The project was first announced back in March 2025, followed by months of near-silence — little beyond trickling casting news. That changed this month: on October 5, Prime Video dropped 10 first-look images, and on October 9 the NYCC panel — moderated by Nerdist Editor-in-Chief Rotem Rusak, with both Hirsts and stars Molyneux, Madsen and Miller in attendance — debuted the 94-second teaser trailer and revealed the January 20, 2027 premiere date.
Perhaps the biggest headline of all: the show was renewed for a second season in June 2026, months before the first episode’s debut, with season two currently in production in Ireland. Streamers do not hand out pre-premiere renewals lightly — it is one of the strongest possible signals of internal confidence.
What it means
For Prime Video, Bloodaxe is a clear prestige-history play in a genre that has proven it can hold a mass audience. Hirst’s name alone carries enormous weight with the Norse-drama faithful, and the all-at-once eight-episode drop in more than 240 countries and territories is the launch model Amazon reserves for the titles it expects to become event viewing.
The father-son creative partnership is also a genuine story here: Hirst spent more than a decade defining how the Viking Age looks and feels on screen, and Bloodaxe is the first time he has handed the saga to the next generation — literally.
What’s next
Expect a fuller trailer in the coming weeks, as the rollout that began at NYCC continues through to the January premiere. Season two remains in production in Ireland with no date yet announced. Until then, the teaser — mist-draped fjords giving way to chaos, ships, betrayal and brutal family politics — is the clearest signal yet that the Hirst Viking era is far from over.
Frequently asked questions
When does Bloodaxe come out?
The series premieres January 20, 2027, exclusively on Prime Video.
How many episodes will season one have?
Eight episodes, all released on the same day.
Who plays Erik Bloodaxe?
Xavier Molyneux (Neighbours) plays Erik, with Jessica Madsen (Bridgerton) as his wife Gunnhild.
Is Bloodaxe connected to Vikings?
It is a brand-new story from the creator of Vikings, set in the same Norse world of 10th-century Scandinavia — think spiritual successor rather than sequel.
Will there be a season two?
Yes — Prime Video renewed the show for season two in June 2026, and it is already in production in Ireland.
Where can I watch Bloodaxe?
Exclusively on Prime Video, available in more than 240 countries and territories on release day.