New Teaser for Netflix's ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’

New Teaser for ‘The Witcher’ Prequel Series ‘Blood Origin’

The new, limited series stars Michelle Yeoh, Lenny Henry, Sophia Brown and Minnie Driver and promises to explore the past of the fantasy world.

There was bombshell news for fans of ‘The Witcher’ last weekend, as it was announced that Henry Cavill would be hanging up his swords as Geralt of Rivia, handing over the role to Liam Hemsworth.

But in case you think this spells doom for the entire franchise, take heart because it keeps expanding. Case in point: the teaser for limited series prequel spin-off ‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’.

Unlike animated adventure ‘Nightmare of the Wolf’, this live-action adventure will fully connect to the ‘Witcher’ universe already established, though it’s set in an elven world 1200 years before the world of the main show. ‘Blood Origin’ will tell a story lost to time – the creation of the first prototype Witcher, and the events that lead to the pivotal conjunction of the spheres, when the world of monsters, men, and elves merged to become one.

The four-part series is being overseen by showrunner and writer Declan de Barra, with Sarah O’Gorman and Vicky Jewson sharing directing duties. ‘Witcher’ developer and showrunner Lauren Hissrich is an executive producer here.

A definite highlight is having Michelle Yeoh as Scían, a sword master, the last of her tribe, who is key to the story. And with the star of ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ – who has a long history in action movies to go with her dramatic side – leading the cast, this is a series we’re looking forward to.

Michelle Yeoh as Scian in Netflix's '‘The Witcher: Blood Origin.'

Sophia Brown and Laurence O’Fuarain, meanwhile, play Éile and Fjall, two warriors estranged from their opposing clans. Mirren Mack is Princess Merwy, Francesca Mills appears as Meldof, Zach Wyatt and Lizzie Annis are celestial twins Syndril and Zacaré, while Huw Novelli is Brother Death.

More intriguing are Lenny Henry (with the British actor having quite the time in fantasy between this, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’, a voice cameo in ‘The Sandman’ and next year’s upcoming ‘Anansi Boys’) as Chief Sage Balor and Minnie Driver as a Seanchai, a shapeshifting collector of old lore with the abilities to travel between time and worlds. In other words, she’s a tour guide of sorts for those who might need more of an introduction to the ‘Witcher’ universe.

Other supporting cast members include Amy Murray as Balor’s apprentice Fenrik, Mark Rowley as King Alvitir, Daniel Fathers and Faoileann Cunningham as Osfar and his daughter Ryl. Kim Adis is Merwyn’s handmaid Ket, Nathaniel Curtis portrays Brían, Dylan Moran is Uthrok One-Nut and Hebe Beardsall is the lowborn Catrin. Ella Schrey-Yeats portrays the young prophet Ithlinne and her mother Aevenien is played by Claire Cooper.

‘The Witcher: Blood Origin’ arrives on Netflix on December 25th, so it’ll count as a holiday gift to fans of the show.