The Vikings have a new home, and Prime Video’s epic foray into this universe — the series Bloodaxe — promises to revive the grandeur and mythic appeal that made Vikings (History/Netflix) a cultural phenomenon. Created by Michael Hirst — the same mind behind Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla — in collaboration with his son Horatio Hirst, Bloodaxe not only marks the younger Hirst’s screenwriting debut but also introduces a rising Australian lead: Xavier Molyneux.

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Bloodaxe and Amazon’s Viking Legacy: A New Australian Star Rises

In yet another epic venture by Prime Video into the world of Norse legends, the upcoming series Bloodaxe promises to recapture the mythic grandeur that made Vikings (History/Amazon) a global phenomenon. Created by Michael Hirst — the mind behind Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla — in collaboration with his son Horatio Hirst, Bloodaxe not only marks Horatio’s screenwriting debut but also introduces a rising Australian lead: Xavier Molyneux.

The series will center on the legendary figure of Erik Bloodaxe, one of the most feared warriors of medieval Scandinavia. According to the official synopsis, Erik and his wife Gunnhild, Mother of Kings, battle for the throne of Norway in a time torn apart by betrayal, shifting alliances, and the looming threat of war. The sweeping narrative will involve rival Scandinavian kings and even a powerful English ruler, signaling an international scope that expands the Viking saga universe established in 2013.

The role of Gunnhild will be played by Jessica Madsen, best known for portraying the scheming Cressida Cowper in Bridgerton. Here, she takes on a historical figure remembered for her political ambition and influence in dynastic formation. The dynamic between Erik and Gunnhild promises to be a dramatic centerpiece, blending brutality, passion, and strategy in ways reminiscent of Game of Thrones and The Last Kingdom.

Xavier Molyneux: From Soap Star to Viking Conqueror

The casting of Xavier Molyneux as Erik Bloodaxe highlights Australia’s impressive track record in producing versatile actors for major historical dramas. Known primarily for his role as Byron Stone on the long-running Australian soap Neighbours — in which he has appeared in hundreds of episodes since 2023 — and for starring in Netflix’s Take My Hand (2024), Molyneux is now stepping into his first global-scale production. At 26, he joins the growing ranks of Australian talent taking on world-spanning historical epics.

The comparisons to Travis Fimmel — another Australian who shot to international fame as Ragnar Lothbrok in the original Vikings — are hard to ignore. Like Fimmel, Molyneux moves from domestic TV to a larger-than-life role steeped in myth, violence, and tragedy. Erik Bloodaxe’s story — which ends with betrayal and death after a brief and tumultuous reign — offers a rich emotional arc: strength, vulnerability, conjugal love, political ambition, and a touch of divine rage.

Legacy and Expectations

Bloodaxe isn’t just another period series. It marks Prime Video’s attempt to renew its historical storytelling with fresh creative voices and deeper emotional resonance. With the Hirsts leading the creative charge, a promising cast, and backing from MGM Television — the studio behind Vikings and Valhalla — the series is a natural successor to the franchise, aiming to dive even deeper into the tension between myth and history, love and power, and royalty and ruin.

While no official release date has been set, production is already underway, with Scandinavian locations and an ambitious production design. For those following Miscelâneas, this is one to watch: a new Viking epic is on the horizon, and with it, a new Australian star may soon claim the throne — and the screen.