Following the news of its male lead earlier this week, Prime Video has announced a second lead for its upcoming Vikings series. According to the official press release, Jessica Madsen has joined the historical drama, Bloodaxe. The series chronicles the rise of Norse royal Erik Bloodaxe.
The press release lists Madsen as playing Gunnhild, the wife of Bloodaxe, commonly known as the Mother of Kings. She joins Xavier Molyneux (Take My Hand, Neighbours), who plays her fierce companion, as they fight formidable foes for the throne.
Created, written, and executive produced by Michael Hirst (Elizabeth, Vikings) and Horatio Hirst (Vikings: Valhalla, Billy the Kid), the series is set amidst the historic battle for power among the kings of Scandinavian countries and even English rule. Based on the legendary true story, it will trace the power couple’s journey from famous raiders to rulers of Norway. The road to victory will be paved with shifting loyalties and bloody betrayals against their fiercest rivals.
Viewers may recognize Madsen from her role as Cressida Cowper in Netflix’s Bridgerton. She also appeared as Clarice in the horror film Leatherface.
The father and son showrunners are joined by additional executive producers Morgan O’Sullivan (The Count of Monte Cristo, Harry Wild), Steve Stark (The Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo), Arturo Interian (Project Blue Book, Hotel Cocaine), John Weber (The Tudors, Reign), Sheila Hockin (Penny Dreadful, Halo), and Fredy Toye (Westworld, The Good Wife).
Michael Hirst created the original series Vikings in 2013. The show ran for six seasons and starred Katheryn Winnick (Big Sky, The Marksman), Gustaf Skarsgård (Oppenheimer, Black Bag), and Alexander Ludwig (The Hunger Games, Earth Abides). After its run through 2020, spinoff, Vikings: Valhalla, aired a total of 24 episodes across three seasons. Valhalla starred Sam Corlett (Territory, He Ain’t Heavy), Leo Suter (Sanditon, Intelligence), and Frida Gustavsson (Faithless, Dampyr).