Bridgerton actress Jessica Madsen to play female lead in Bloodaxe

British actress Jessica Madsen (Bridgerton) has landed the female lead opposite Xavier Molyneux in Bloodaxe, a new historical drama series from Prime Video. Bloodaxe was officially ordered in March and is being produced by MGM Television, part of Amazon MGM Studios. Filming begins this summer in Ireland and Iceland. The series is created, written and executive produced by Michael Hirst (of Vikings fame) along with his son Horatio Hirst.



Jessica Madsen (pictured) plays Gunnhild, the wife of Erik Bloodaxe (Xavier Molyneux), also known as the 'Mother of Kings'. The series follows the rise of legendary Norse raider and warlord Erik Bloodaxe and his formidable wife Gunnhild.

As they fight for the throne of Norway, the country is torn apart by rivals, shifting loyalties and bloody betrayals. The battle threatens to escalate into a devastating war, involving other Scandinavian kings and a powerful English ruler.

Although Bloodaxe shares the same creative roots as the series Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla, it is not a direct spin-off. The new saga takes place decades after the original Vikings and decades before Vikings: Valhalla.

Jessica Madsen is best known for her role as the villainous Cressida Cowper in Bridgerton, one of the most watched series in Netflix history. She received two SAG Award nominations for this as part of the ensemble.