Vikings fans around the world rejoiced at the recent release of the teaser trailer for creator Michael Hirst's next series, Bloodaxe. Much like Hirst's previous show, Bloodaxe promises to be a bloody good time, filled to the brim with historical battles, Norse mythology, three-dimensional characters, and an edge-of-your-seat conflict for the throne.
The trailer premiered at a Bloodeaxe panel at New York Comic Con, which featured several special guests involved in the series. Cast members Xavier Molyneux (Erik Bloodaxe), Jessica Madsen (Gunnhild), and Levi Miller (Haakon) were joined by the series' creators, Michael Hirst and his son Horatio Hirst, to discuss their upcoming show and clue eager audiences in on what to expect from Bloodaxe.
Is Bloodaxe a Vikings sequel?
While Bloodaxe is written by the same showrunner as Vikings and touches on similar settings, topics, and themes, Michael clarified that Bloodaxe is NOT "Vikings Part 2." The series will serve as a new, original show, telling its own stories. This is a departure from the previous Vikings show, Vikings: Valhalla, on which Michael served as an executive producer, which acts as a direct follow up to the original series.
Bloodaxe will take place around 100 years after the conclusion of Vikings. Despite this being the same time gap between A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Game of Thrones, Vikings and Bloodaxe are allowed less direct connection simply due to the genre. Given that both shows are historical dramas, they are inherently set in the same world: The real world. Bloodaxe will feature real historical figures brought to life by the Hirsts' talented cast.
Who's who in Bloodaxe?
Bloodaxe is set to follow the conflict for the succession of the Norse throne, with the main contenders being Molyneux's Erik Bloodaxe and Miller's Haakon the Good, half brothers representing opposite sides of the same coin. Erik stands for traditional Norse values, believing in paganism, while Haakon, who was raised outside of Norway, has become a devout Christian whose reign would represent a major change for the kingdom.
In addition to their beliefs, Erik and Haakon live, fight, and act entirely differently. Erik is a physical specimen, whose axe Molyneux describes "as a pet you need to feed now and then." Molyneaux also discusses how Erik lacks the patience for more mental challenges, claiming, "He doesn't play the chess board, he flips the table."
In contrast, Haakon, per Miller is a more cerebral character in a world of warriors. As such, the actor says that, "Erik represents everything Haakon detests." Additionally, Haakon has come to resent his half brother, wondering why Erik was allowed to stay in Norway while he was sent away.
The brothers' rivalry seems like one of the most compelling elements of Bloodaxe. Per Molyneux, Erik loathes Haakon as well, thinking he doesn't deserve the throne Erik has actually worked towards. This conflict for the throne not only represents who these characters are at their core, but where the future of Norway will be headed.
Erik's most loyal supporter in his campaign for the throne is his wife, Jessica Madsen's Gunnhilde. Described by the showrunners as "medieval Bonnie and Clyde," Gunnhild truly loves her husband, which Madsen described as "a pure love in an impure love." Unlike most couples of the time, Erik and Gunnhilde married for love, not for political gains.
During the panel, Madsen teased Gunnhild's supernatural abilities, taking pride in her nickname, "witch wife." While magic may seem out of place in a historical series, the showrunners clarified that "If our characters could see these things, we should as well," teasing some mystical elements of Norse mythology. Madsen refused to answer what Gunnhild's favorite physical weapon throughout the series will be, since she claims it will spoil the show! Madsen also clarified that while Gunnhilde is a warrior emotionally, she will not be a shield maiden.
Michael and Horatio Hirst also discussed several other characters played by actors who were not present at the panel, including Greta the shield maiden (Alina Tomnikov), King Gorn of Denmark (Rune Temte), nicknamed "Gorm the Old" and "Sleepy Gorn," and Egil (Karlis Arnolds Avots), described as a "psychopath, poet, lady's man, murderer." Michael assured audiences that, despite his detestable debut, they would quickly fall in love with Egil.
What to expect from Bloodaxe
The Bloodaxe creative team emphasized the series' action, which is sure to be one of its stronger elements. The show's naval combat scenes were shot on the ocean, and Molyneux discussed an epic sounding five-minute-long "oner" in which Erik fights three different enemies. Additionally, the mood-setting "Viking techno" score is sure to be a series highlight. Finally, Bloodaxe has already been renewed for season 2, which bodes well for the first season.
Make sure to catch Bloodaxe's premiere on January 20, 2027 on Amazon Prime.
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