Creator of Vikings TV series sets his sights on Eric Bloodaxe

The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Michael Hirst, the creator of the acclaimed TV series Vikings, is set to return to the Norse world for his latest venture. 

The show Bloodaxe will focus on one of the most legendary figures of the Viking Age and will air on Amazon Prime. 

A new adventure 

First released in 2013, Vikings was an immediate hit show for the History Channel. 

It eventually stretched to six seasons and 89 episodes, telling the dramatic tale of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok and the feats of his famous sons. 

Across three seasons and 24 episodes, the follow-up Vikings: Valhalla portrayed the lives of Harald Sigurdsson alongside Leif Eriksson and his sister, Freydis. 

Now, Amazon Prime Video has given the go-ahead for a new Viking drama, Bloodaxe. 

Although details are still thin on the ground, the streaming network has confirmed that the creative team will be headed by Michael Hirst and his son, Horatio Hirst. 

Michael Hirst was responsible for the Vikings series and also worked as an executive producer on Vikings: Valhalla. 

It has been confirmed, however, that the new series will not be related to either of the two previous shows. Instead, early reports indicate that it will depict the lives of the Norse king Erik Bloodaxe and his wife, Gunnhild, known as the Mother of Kings. 

So, what can history tell us about these two figures? 

Eric Bloodaxe's story is a mix of history and legend, with few reliable records of his reign. Illustration: The Viking Herald

Who was Eric Bloodaxe? 

There is much mystery and legend surrounding the story of Eric Bloodaxe. 

Much of what we know about Bloodaxe is derived from the Icelandic sagas – which, of course, cannot be considered reliable historical documents – some written accounts recorded centuries after his death, and a few isolated archeological finds. 

However, that is not to say that Bloodaxe was an entirely invented figure. 

There is, for example, a silver penny believed to have been minted in his name in York, England. At the same time, some versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle refer to an Eric who ruled the northern English region of Northumbria in the 10th century. 

What is less clear, however, is whether this is the same Eric Bloodaxe who ruled over Norway from 932 to 934 CE and is, in some instances, said to be the son of Harald Fairhair and the half-brother of Haakon the Good. 

We also cannot be sure whether Bloodaxe's reported wife, Gunnhild, Mother of Kings – also known as Gunnhildr Gormsdóttir – was of Scandinavian or British/Irish descent. Indeed, some historians have questioned whether she existed at all.

In the sagas, however, Gunnhild stands alongside Eric Bloodaxe as he reigns over Norway, Jórvík (York), and the Orkney Isles in Scotland.

Early historical records present her as a member of the Danish royal family, whose union with Bloodaxe helped unite the two Scandinavian nations. 

Michael Hirst is expected to blend historical fact with artistic license in "Bloodaxe", just as he did in "Vikings." Source: Netflix, screenshot (Copyright, fair use)

The latest saga is set to begin 

With Michael Hirst at the helm, the uncertainty around the historical details of Eric and Gunnhild's lives may actually be an advantage in terms of storytelling. 

Just as he did with Ragnar Lothbrok, Bjorn Ironside, Lagertha, and Ivar the Boneless in Vikings, Hirst can be expected to lean on historical fact but also enjoy plenty of artistic license. 

At the time of going to press, however, very few details remain on what we can expect from the new show. 

It will be produced by MGM Television – also responsible for Vikings, The Handmaid's Tale, and Wednesday – while Horatio Hirst will be involved in writing the story, his first such opportunity. 

As of yet, there is no information about when the series will eventually be released. 

"I feel blessed and deeply excited that Amazon has given me the opportunity to return to the fantastic world of the Norse sagas and the men, women, and gods of the Viking world who have come to mean so much to me," commented Michael Hirst to The Hollywood Reporter. 

"Horatio and I intend to open your eyes to incredible new characters and unbelievable stories, all of which happen to be true and many of which changed the course of history."

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