Sisse Marie Holzmann Søby plays Thyra, Queen of Denmark, in the first season of the upcoming series.
As she gets ready to return for season two, she sat down with me to talk about the role. The Danish actress crossed the Atlantic to follow her dream and now finds herself playing a queen in Amazon’sViking-era drama.

Bloodaxe  is a new historical drama from Amazon Prime Video, created by Michael Hirst, who created
Vikings, and his son Horace Hirst. Set in the tenth century, the series follows the Norwegian warrior Erik Bloodaxe (Xavier Molineux) and his wife Gunnhild, known as the “Mother of Kings” (Jessica Madsen), as they fight for the Norwegian throne. Sisse Marie plays Thyra, Queen of Denmark, wife of King Gorm and mother of Toke and Harald Bluetooth. In the series, Thyra is intelligent, forceful, and determined to protect her family’s power. The first season is expected in early 2027. A second season was ordered before the first aired, and filming is scheduled to begin this summer in Dublin.

But who was the real Queen Thyra?

Thyra lived beside King Gorm the Old during the period when Denmark was becoming a united kingdom
in the tenth century. Historical accounts portray her as more than a king’s wife. She appears to have
been a strong and capable woman with influence of her own. She is remembered as a mother, a
defender of her people, and an important figure in Denmark’s early history. Sisse Marie now has the
task of bringing that complicated woman to the screen.
Sisse moves through the bright living room of her Los Angeles home, stopping to kiss her young
daughter and greet her husband. Coffee and fresh bread are on the table. Once we sit down, I begin
with the role that has brought her back to her Danish roots.

Playing the Queen of Denmark is a new chapter for you. What did you feel when you learned the role
was yours?
I was so happy when I got the role. It took a long time to reach this point, and this is honestly the kind of
part I have always wanted to play. I feel a very personal connection to Queen Thyra. She came from
Jelling, which is also where my family roots lead, according to my DNA. Before filming, I visited the
Jelling Stones and the nearby church where my great-great-grandparents are buried.
The experience felt almost unreal, but also very personal. I felt close to the character because her
history connects so strongly with my own background. I knew I could bring something specific to Thyra
that came from my heritage and my own life. In many ways, it felt as though my career had been leading
me toward this role.

Vikings are often remembered for raids and war, but women also played important parts in their
communities. Women in Viking Age Denmark could manage property, take part in trade, hold some legal
rights, and pass family traditions from one generation to the next. Queen Thyra is remembered as a
woman who helped shape the country alongside King Gorm. Something is fitting about a modern Danish
woman who built a life across the ocean now telling the story of one of Denmark’s early queens.

You have worked as a singer, television host, and actress. Which experience helped you most in
preparing for this role?
This role draws on almost everything I have learned throughout my career.
I wanted Thyra to feel like a real, complicated woman. She wants the best for her family, but she also
cares deeply about what they will leave behind. Her sons’ success matters to her, not only as a mother
but because she wants the family to have a lasting place in history.
Women had more influence in the Viking Age than they did in many later periods, but it was still largely
a man’s world. Thyra understands the limits around her and looks for every chance to use the power she
has. She works quietly behind the scenes and often shapes what happens. King Gorm may look like the
person in control, but their relationship is more complicated than that.

How are you preparing for the second season? Has your approach changed since the first?
We recently learned that a second season was approved before the first one aired. That was exciting
news and showed that the studio believes in the project.
Michael and Horace Hirst have built a strong world, and the cast has worked very hard. I am still at the
beginning of my preparation, but I already feel different going into the second season.
The biggest change is that I know Thyra now. I understand how she thinks, what she wants, and what
she may be capable of. The writers have also seen how I play her, so we have a clearer shared
understanding of the character. That gives us more room to explore both her strength and her darker
side.
I think season two gives us the chance to show more of her story. I am excited to return and see where
the character goes next. Viewers may meet a different side of Thyra.

You live in Los Angeles, far from Denmark. How do you stay connected to your identity and roots?
I have spent a lot of my life moving from place to place. For me, the main question is not where I live,
but whether I can remain myself wherever I am.
I try to ask myself how I can give more than I take, and how I can bring warmth, encouragement, and
love to the people around me.
I love being Danish, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had in America. I feel lucky to have
both. You can take the girl out of Denmark, but you cannot take Denmark out of the girl.

I also found a partner with Danish roots. Our two-year-old daughter hears and speaks Danish at home,
which means a great deal to me. She is growing up with two cultures, and I see that as a real gift.

Was there ever a time when you thought, “This is too hard”? What kept you going?
Of course. The entertainment business can be difficult and uncertain. Still, I have never seen the work
itself as a burden because I cannot imagine choosing another path.
Creativity has always been part of me. Whether I am working on a song, a character, or a story, I love
the process of making something that did not exist before. A few lines on a page can slowly become a
full person with a history and a life. That still amazes me.
There are times when I wonder whether everything will come together or whether I am moving in the
right direction. What keeps me going is simple: I genuinely love the work. Creating is what I want to do.
I am also resilient. When one door closes, I look for another way forward. I have never believed that one
rejection has to be the end of the road.

Was there ever a time when you thought, “This is too hard”? What kept you going?
Of course. The entertainment business can be difficult and uncertain. Still, I have never seen the work
itself as a burden because I cannot imagine choosing another path.
Creativity has always been part of me. Whether I am working on a song, a character, or a story, I love
the process of making something that did not exist before. A few lines on a page can slowly become a
full person with a history and a life. That still amazes me.
There are times when I wonder whether everything will come together or whether I am moving in the
right direction. What keeps me going is simple: I genuinely love the work. Creating is what I want to do.
I am also resilient. When one door closes, I look for another way forward. I have never believed that one
rejection has to be the end of the road.

What advice would you give a woman who has moved to a new country and is afraid to begin again?
I would first stop calling it “starting over.” I would call it a new beginning. That small language change
can make the situation feel more open and less frightening.
Staying connected to your roots can give you a steady base. At the same time, moving to another
country gives you a chance to learn more about who you are when familiar surroundings are gone.
Ask yourself: What are my values? What really matters to me? Who do I want to become? What would
the best and most honest version of my life look like?
The better you know yourself, the easier it becomes to face change. Listen to your own judgment and be
clear about what matters to you. With that foundation, you can build a meaningful life in many different
places.

How do you balance long filming days with raising a two-year-old daughter? Is there a secret?
The closest thing to a secret is choosing the right partner. That is one of the most important decisions
you can make.
I feel very fortunate to have Alexander beside me. He is a strong and caring partner.
He is also a wonderful father. When I am on set for fifteen hours, I can focus on my work because I know
our daughter is safe, loved, and happy with him. That peace of mind means everything.
Filming can be intense. Some days are very long, and there are stretches when I am away more than I
would like. When I am home, I try to be fully present with her and give her my complete attention.
When I miss her, I remind myself why the work matters to me. I want to tell meaningful stories and play
women with strength and depth. I hope my daughter will one day see that a woman can pursue serious
work and still be a loving, involved mother.
In that sense, I am doing some of this for her too.

Your husband is a businessman. How do you maintain a real partnership when both of you are busy?
It comes down to shared priorities and taking a sincere interest in each other’s work and goals.
We both enjoy creating and building things, so our lives do not feel completely separate. Alexander
cares about my career, and I care about what he is building. We celebrate good news together, deal
with problems together, and often talk about our work because we are genuinely interested in it.
Because of that, it feels less like two separate lives and more like one life we are building together.
We are also lucky to have grandparents who love spending time with our daughter. Their support gives
us room to work while also helping us stay connected as a family.

What has motherhood taught you that acting never could?
Being a mother is the most important role in my life. I care deeply about my career and want to do my
best work, but my daughter comes first.
She pushes me to become a better person. She has also taught me to set boundaries. I have often tried
too hard to please other people, but motherhood has made it easier to say no. When something takes
time and energy away from my daughter without a good reason, I turn it down.
She has taught me lessons in almost every part of life, and I am grateful for all of them.
Motherhood has also changed me as an actress. My work feels more honest now because I understand
emotions I did not fully understand before. I do not have to search as hard for certain feelings; they are
much closer to the surface. I believe becoming a mother has made me a better actor.

You exercise regularly and take a natural approach to beauty and wellbeing. What does a normal self-
care day look like?
My routine is fairly detailed because many different things help me feel well.
Most mornings begin with my daughter running to me, hugging me, and saying, “I want to hug
Mommy.” Starting the day with that kind of affection makes me feel grateful before I even get out of
bed.
One of the first things we do is step outside into the sunlight. I then drink a large glass of water with
electrolytes, creatine, and a few supplements. Staying hydrated is important to me.
My partner also makes protein buckwheat pancakes most mornings. I usually have them with coffee
before I go to the gym.

I do strength training four days a week and Pure Barre on the other days. I also try to walk at least ten
thousand steps each day.
Recovery is part of the routine too. I use red light therapy several times a week and spend time in my
home sauna on most days.
Our family eats a plant-based diet. I focus on foods such as tofu, edamame, beans, legumes, and other
sources of plant protein.
I recently had a biological age assessment. According to the test, some of my biomarkers were about
seventeen and a half years younger than my chronological age. I found that encouraging, while
understanding that it is one kind of health measurement.
I also enjoy riding horses, walking in nature, and spending time with people I care about. To me, health
is not only exercise and food. It also means creating a life that feels enjoyable and worth living.

Tell us about your partnership with Neurogan Health. Why did you choose this company?
I work with Neurogan Health because I have a real interest in health, wellness, and aging well.
I am curious about the habits and products that may help people feel better and stay active as they age.
Neurogan Health develops wellness products and looks at ingredients intended to support how people
feel and function.
The partnership fits my interests because I spend a lot of time reading and learning about health. It is a
subject I care about personally, not only a business arrangement.
I am glad to work with a company whose stated goal is to help people support their health at different
stages of life.

What does “looking good” mean to you? Is it mainly about appearance, or something deeper?
For me, looking good starts with feeling good.
That may sound familiar, but I believe it. When I sleep well, I usually look better. When I feel happy and
energetic, it shows naturally.
Most of what I do for my health is meant to create a strong base. I want enough energy for my family
and work, and I want to feel capable and comfortable in my own body.
Of course I like to look good, but appearance comes after health. Feeling well, steady, and balanced
matters more to me.

If you could write a letter to yourself ten years ago, what would you say?

I would say, “Girl, you are going to be all right.”
You will make mistakes, and that is normal. Some of those mistakes will teach you more than success
could.
Keep moving, even when things are hard. Do not automatically turn away from discomfort, uncertainty,
or confusion.
A lot of growth comes from facing the things that frighten you instead of avoiding them.
There will be times when you are not sure who you are or where you are going. Trust yourself and keep
going. You are more capable than you think.

Who inspires you most in your life and work?
Many people inspire me, but I would begin with my partner.
Alexander is intelligent, hardworking, and serious about his values. I respect the way he approaches life
and business, and I often ask for his advice.
I am also inspired by artists, creators, and people who dare to be themselves.
Honesty and authenticity matter to me. I admire people who choose their own path and do not pretend
to be someone else, simply to gain approval.

What do you hope your daughter will see in you when she grows up?
I hope she sees someone who did not give up on her dream.
I grew up in a small village in Denmark. Today I live in Hollywood and have a major role in an Amazon
series. I hope she sees that big goals can become possible when you work hard and keep going.
I want her to know that setbacks do not make her a failure. Life will not always follow the plan, and that
is okay. Sometimes a missed opportunity can lead you somewhere better or more fitting.
Most of all, I want her to be resilient. I want her to trust herself, trust God, and pursue what matters to
her without letting other people’s opinions control her.
I want her to understand that many limits are not fixed. When she follows her values, listens to her
heart, and treats people kindly, she will be moving in the right direction.
That is the example I hope to give her.

Interview by Yana Sanakina

Edit by Edward Goold