For the past several years, networks and streaming services have been desperate to find their own “Game of Thrones”-esque series. Over at Amazon, you have the forthcoming “Lord of the Rings” TV series, for example. And Netflix appears to have found its own fantasy series, with the hit show, “The Witcher.” And wasting no time, whatsoever, the streaming service is already casting its first spinoff of the Henry Cavill-starring show.
According to Deadline, Jodie Turner-Smith has nabbed the lead role in “The Witcher: Blood Origin.” The first spinoff in the ‘Witcher’ universe, ‘Blood Origin’ takes place 1,200 years before the Cavill series and follows a former warrior turned nomadic musician, Éile. However, her dreams of playing music and not using her weapons come to an end when there’s a disturbance on the continent that forces her to go back to her warrior ways. The story will explain the origin of the Witcher and how the “conjunction of spheres” came about, which combined the worlds of monsters, elves, and men.
Turner-Smith is probably best known for her role in the acclaimed film, “Queen & Slim.” However, before that, she’s had her fair share of genre TV work, as the star of the short-lived series, “Nightflyers,” and the HBO vampire series, “True Blood.” She also appeared in “The Last Ship” and “Mad Dogs.” Turner-Smith’s future roles include the highly-anticipated A24 film, “After Yang,” and opposite Michael B. Jordan in the action thriller, “Without Remorse.”
As mentioned, “The Witcher” was a huge hit for Netflix during its first season. The series was so much of a hit that Netflix quickly began development on ‘Blood Origin,’ as well as a new animated series that is also being put together now.
The six-part ‘Blood Origin’ doesn’t have an expected release date yet and it’s unclear when the show might go into production. However, clearly, this is something ‘Witcher’ fans will be very pleased with, as the show is finally coming together.