Netflix has announced the casting of its lead for the upcoming prequel to the successful seriesThe Witcher. Actress Jodie-Turner Smith will be starring in the six-part limited series entitledThe Witcher: Blood Origin, set in an elven world 1200 years before the world of the Henry Cavill series.
The Witcher: Blood Originwill follow the creation of the first prototype Witcher and the events that lead to the worlds of monsters, humans, and elves merging into one. Jodie Turner-Smith will be playing an elven warrior named Eile, who has left her clan and her position as a guardian of the Queen to become a nomadic musician. She becomes forced to return to her former ways as she seeks vengeance and redemption.
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Jodie Turner-Smith is a highly acclaimed and in-demand actress. She received critical recognition forher role in the filmQueen and Slimand is set to star as iconic queen Anne Boleyn in an upcoming mini-series for the U.K.’s Channel 5.The Witcher: Blood Originwill not be Turner-Smith’s first time on a Netflix series, as she previously starred in theNightflyersseries. She can also be seen in shows such asThe Last Ship,Mad Dogs, andTrue Bloodas well as upcoming filmsAfter YangandWithout Remorse.
Declan de Barra, writer onThe Witcher, will serve as showrunner forBlood Origin. Andrzej Sapkowski, the author of the books on which the shows are based, will serve as the creative consultant for the prequel series.Blood Originwill not be the only offshoot of the popular original series. Netflix will also be releasingThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, an animated spin-off film focusing on the origin story of Geralt’s mentor Vesemir.
Filming on season two ofThe Witcherwas originally delayed due to COVID-19. Production resumed but was later suspended again when Cavill suffered a leg injury shortly before filming went on break for Christmas.While filming recently resumed again, it’s unclear how Cavill’s interrupted training and the caution around his injury will impact production going forward. Showrunners still hope to release the second season in late 2021.
The Witcherseason one is now available on Netflix whileBlood Originhas no announced release date.
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