BRIDGERTON Actress Jessica Madsen Cast as Gunnhild in Prime Video’s Viking Drama BLOODAXE
Jessica Madsen, best known for her role as the sharp-tongued Cressida Cowper in Bridgerton, is stepping into entirely different territory, as she has been tapped to play the fierce and powerful Gunnhild, wife to the legendary Norse raider Erik Bloodaxe, in Prime Video’s upcoming series Bloodaxe.
She will star opposite Xavier Molyneux, whose casting as Erik was confirmed earlier this week.
Bloodaxe is the latest historical epic from Vikings creator Michael Hirst, this time teaming up with his son Horatio Hirst. The duo will co-write, showrun, and executive produce the series, which they describe as a high-stakes, emotionally charged saga set during a brutal time in Norse history.
The story follows Erik and Gunnhild as they fight to claim the throne of Norway, all while the kingdom is fractured by rival warlords, unstable alliances, and looming war.
“The land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals. With war looming and chaos consuming the kingdom, drawing in the ruthless Kings of other Scandinavian countries, and even a powerful English ruler, the stage is set for a thundering, cataclysmic, compelling and utterly magical new Norse Saga.”
Production kicks off this summer in Ireland and Iceland, and the series is being produced by MGM Television, now under Amazon MGM Studios.
While comparisons to Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla are inevitable, especially with the same studio backing the project, Bloodaxe is carving out its own narrative.
It takes place decades after the events of the original Vikings and decades before Valhalla, making it a standalone saga rather than a direct continuation.
I’m excited to see what this series delivers!
Source: Deadline