The Witcher is getting the prequel treatment and the Netflix limited series has snagged its lead! Deadline reports that Jodie Turner-Smith will star in The Witcher: Blood Origin, a six-part live-action installment that’ll serve as a precursor to the popular fantasy show. 

Now, The Witcher: Blood Origin will take place in an elven world 1,200 years prior to the events in The Witcher. We’ll learn all about the first “prototype Witcher.” Additionally, the series will highlight what led to the “conjunction of the spheres.” That’s when the initially separate worlds of humanity, monsters and elves melded together to become one.

Turner-Smith will portray Éile. Her character and basic story arc are described thusly:

… an elite warrior with the voice of a goddess, who has left her clan and position as Queen’s guardian to follow her heart as a nomadic musician. A grand reckoning on the continent forces her to return to the way of the blade in her quest for vengeance and redemption.

RELATED: The Witcher Releases First Look of Anya Chalotra’s Yennefer in Season 2

Declan de Barra and Lauren Schmidt Hissrich will serve as executive producers, with the former also filling the role of showrunner. Andrzej Sapkowski, the author of The Witcher novels, will work as a creative consultant for The Witcher: Blood Origin. 

The Witcher premiered on Netflix in December 2019 to incredible fanfare, skyrocketing in popularity as one of the streaming giant’s most-watched original shows. Starring Henry Cavill, the series follows Geralt of Rivia, a “mutated monster hunter for hire” known as a Witcher. The Witcher: Blood Origin is one of two spin-offs. The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf will tell the origin story of Geralt’s mentor Vesemir (to be played by Killing Eve star Kim Bodnia in Season Two of The Witcher). 

Turner-Smith is best known for starring in 2019’s Queen & Slim opposite Daniel Kaluuya. She was in the Cinemax limited drama series Jett alongside Carla Gugino. Netflix viewers might know her from her leading role in the sci-fi thriller Nightflyers, which was based on a novella by George R.R. Martin. Turner-Smith also appeared in 20 episodes of TNT’s The Last Ship as Sgt. Azima Kandie. 

My humble opinion? I love The Witcher, and I’m so ready to see more from this universe. Turner-Smith is an excellent performer. Her character sounds fascinating. I’ve no doubt that The Witcher: Blood Origin will deliver on all fronts. 

Are you excited about Jodie Turner-Smith as Éile in The Witcher: Blood Origin? Sound off in the comments below!

 

 

Melody McCune
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