Prime Video’s Answer to Game of Thrones Arrives in Less Than 3 Months Away

A Viking story comes soon

Bloodaxe is set in the 900s and centers on the real-life Viking warrior and political figure Eric Bloodaxe. Xavier Molyneux plays the title character, while Jessica Madsen portrays his wife, Gunnhild.

The pair face rival kings and tribes in a struggle for control of Norway. The cast also includes Levi Miller and Rune Tente, and Michael Hirst, who worked on Vikings, is a producer on the series.

A different path from fantasy

Bloodaxe is a historical drama rather than a high-fantasy series. It will not include the fantasy conventions seen in Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon or A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

The article suggests that avoiding extensive fantasy elements could help the production keep costs below those of shows that rely more heavily on CGI. It notes that high-fantasy series including The Wheel of Time were shorter-lived, while Vikings ran for six seasons.

Renewal signals confidence

Bloodaxe has already been renewed for a second season before its arrival. That decision points to Prime Video’s confidence in the series and its potential to continue. The Last Kingdom ran for five seasons and was followed by the 2023 film Seven Kings Must Die. Bloodaxe’s historical-action approach could offer Prime Video a different kind of long-running alternative to Game of Thrones.