The world ofThe Witcheris getting another Netflix series, but Geralt of Rivia won’t be slaying monsters in this iteration of the dark fantasy franchise.
The Witcher: Blood Originwill be set 1,200 years before Geralt first entered the world of magic and monsters — based on the series of novels by author Andrzej Sapkowski. Netflix announced thesix-part prequel seriesin July.
Here’s everything we know aboutThe Witcher: Blood Originso far.
Premiere date
Netflix has not announced a specific premiere date forThe Witcher: Blood Originat this point. Withseason 2 ofThe Witcherstill in production and many other projects delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, there’s no official word on when we can expect cameras begin rolling onBlood Originor when it will arrive on the streaming service.
Plot details forThe Witcher: Blood Originare scarce, but Netflix indicated the six-part series will followthe first witcherwho was created to hunt monsters and supernatural creatures. The show is expected to explore the events that led to the feud between humans and elves, and what brought many of the monstrous creatures to the world that keep Geralt and his fellow witchers busy in the Netflix series and other projects based on Sapkowski’s work.
Behind the camera
The Witcher: Blood Originwas co-created byDeclan de Barra, who wrote the season 1 episode ofThe WitchertitledOf Banquets, Bastards and Burials(in which Geralt and the bard Jaskier attend a royal banquet).The Witchershowrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich is the other co-creator ofBlood Origin, and will serve as an executive producer on the prequel series as well as continuing as showrunner on the original series.
There have been no casting announcements forThe Witcher: Blood Originso far, and with many productions still in limbo due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s uncertain when actors will be able to audition for roles in the series. With few details available at this point, it’s also uncertain which characters will be cast in the series.
It’s worth noting that Vesemir, Geralt’s mentor, is one of the oldest living Witchers in Sapkowski’s novels — so there’s a reasonable chance that he could play a role in the prequel series. According to the novels, Vesemir wasactive as a witcheraround 160 years after the first witchers were created.
