The cast for the live-action God of War series on Prime Video keeps getting bigger and more interesting. The latest addition is British actor Ed Skrein, who is set to play Baldur, the main antagonist from the 2018 video game. If Skrein looks familiar, it is because he has played some pretty intense characters before, including a Marvel villain in the Deadpool movie.
Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television officially confirmed the casting on February 23, 2026, and fans of both the game and the actor are already talking about how this could be a perfect match .
Who is Ed Skrein and Why He Fits the Role of Baldur
For those who do not know the name right away, Ed Skrein is the actor who played Francis Freeman, also known as Ajax, the main bad guy in the 2016 Deadpool movie . He was the one who tortured Wade Wilson and set the whole story in motion. That role showed he can play a cruel, physically imposing, and somewhat stylish villain with ease.
But his resume does not stop there. Skrein also played one version of Daario Naharis in Game of Thrones (season three) before the character was recast . More recently, he showed up in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon movies as the villainous Atticus Noble and appeared in last year’s Jurassic World Rebirth . He has also been in films like Alita: Battle Angel and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil .
That mix of experience playing hardened warriors, cruel officers, and physically capable fighters makes him a strong choice for Baldur. In the God of War game, Baldur is not just a generic villain. He is the son of Odin and is sent to track down Kratos and his son Atreus. What makes Baldur scary is that he cannot feel anything physically. A curse makes him immune to pain, heat, cold, or touch. This has driven him completely insane over the centuries. All he wants is to feel something, even if it is pain, which makes him a violent and unpredictable threat .
The Official Character Description for Baldur
Along with the casting news, Prime Video also released an official description for how they see Baldur in the series. It gives a clear picture of what Ed Skrein will be bringing to the screen.
“Baldur may be the youngest son of Odin, but he’s his father’s most dangerous weapon. Charismatic, unpredictable and armed with a razor-sharp tongue, Baldur lives by his own rules. As a boy, Baldur was cursed; this curse denied him the ability to feel pleasure and physical sensation. This fuels an insatiable anger and bloodlust in Baldur, who favors a brawling fighting style that blends his immense power with the raw impact of his fists. Above all else, he longs for an opponent that can truly match his prowess in battle. An opponent that can finally make him feel something” .
This description matches the game closely. In the 2018 game, Baldur hunts Kratos because he mistakes him for a giant. The fights between Kratos and Baldur are some of the most memorable in the series. They are brutal, personal, and story-driven. If the show follows the game, Skrein will have to handle both the physical side of the role and the emotional pain of a man who just wants his curse to end.
The Growing Cast of the God of War Series
Ed Skrein joins a cast that is already packed with talented actors. The show has been putting together its team over the last few months, and almost all the major roles from the Norse saga are now filled .
Here is who will be playing whom in the Prime Video series so far:
- Ryan Hurst as Kratos: The former Ghost of Sparta, now trying to live a quiet life with his son .
- Callum Vinson as Atreus: Kratos’ son, who knows he is a god but is still learning what that means .
- Ed Skrein as Baldur: The main villain of the first season, the son of Odin who cannot feel pain .
- Mandy Patinkin as Odin: The All-Father and the main puppet master of the Norse gods .
- Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor: Odin’s son and the god of thunder, known for his strength and his temper .
- Max Parker as Heimdall: The watchman of the gods, who can see everything before it happens .
- Teresa Palmer as Sif: Thor’s wife, a powerful figure in Asgard .
- Alastair Duncan as Mimir: The smartest man alive, who often travels with Kratos and Atreus as a talking head. Duncan actually voiced Mimir in the video games, which fans love .
- Danny Woodburn as Brok and Jeff Gulka as Sindri: The two dwarf brothers who forge legendary weapons, including Thor’s hammer .
The only major character left to be cast is Freya, the former queen of the Valkyries and Baldur’s mother. Since her story is deeply connected to Baldur’s curse, fans expect her casting to be announced soon .
What We Know About the God of War Series
The God of War series is being developed for Prime Video by showrunner Ronald D. Moore, who is known for reinventing Battlestar Galactica and creating Outlander . That is a good sign for fans who want a series with deep characters and serious drama, not just mindless action.
Frederick E.O. Toye, an Emmy-winning director who has worked on Shōgun, The Boys, and Fallout, will direct the first two episodes . The series is a co-production between Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios, with input from PlayStation Productions to make sure it stays true to the games .
The story will follow the plot of the 2018 game. The official logline reads:
“God of War follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human” .
The show has already been given a straight-to-series order for two seasons . This suggests the team is planning to cover both the 2018 game and its sequel, God of War Ragnarök. Pre-production is currently happening in Vancouver, Canada .
Also Read:
Global Release Info and Where to Watch
Prime Video has not yet announced an official release date for the God of War series. With filming expected to begin in 2026, a late 2026 or 2027 premiere seems likely. When it does release, it will be available globally on Amazon Prime Video.
For viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India, the show will stream exclusively on Prime Video as part of a standard membership. Viewers can expect the series to drop all at once or weekly, depending on the final release strategy. Given the scale of the production and the involvement of big names like Ronald D. Moore, this is shaping up to be one of the biggest streaming series of the year it finally arrives.
Fans are already excited to see how Ed Skrein handles the role of Baldur. The combination of his experience playing cold villains and the deep, tragic story of the character could be one of the highlights of the show. With the cast almost complete and production moving forward, the wait for Kratos and Atreus to hit the small screen is getting easier to handle.
Also Read: Naruto Live-Action Movie Just Dropped Its Most Important Update Yet From Its Screenwriter
For more updates on Hollywood casting news, streaming releases, and exclusive interviews, keep checking back with VvipTimes. We bring you the latest from the entertainment world as it happens.
