Netflix has announced that Michelle Yeoh (Crazy Rich Asians) has officially signed on to join their forthcoming limited series The Witcher: Blood Origin, which will be serving as a prequel story to the Henry Cavill-led main series. The acclaimed Malaysian actress is set to portray the role of Scían, who is being described as the very last member of the nomadic tribe of sword-elves. No one can come close to her artistry with the blade, and no one carries as much loss within their heart. When a chance presents itself to retrieve a stolen sacred sword, taken from her fallen tribe by nefarious means, she launches herself into a deadly quest that will change the outcome of the Continent.
This marks Yeoh’s latest major TV project after her departure from the Star Trek: Discovery last year as Captain Philippa, a character she has played since 2017. She will next be seen in a number of high-profile features including the all-star female-led action thriller Gunpowder Milkshake; Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings; Paul Feig’s The School for Good and Evil; and James Cameron’s long-in-development Avatar sequels.
Michelle Yeoh is joining the cast of THE WITCHER: BLOOD ORIGIN as the sword-elf Scian, whose deadly quest to retrieve a stolen sacred sword will lead her on a journey that will change the outcome of the Continent. pic.twitter.com/YzTo3yvTic
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) July 6, 2021
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Set in an elven world 1,200 years before events of the main series, The Witcher: Blood Origin tells the 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 worlds of monsters, men, and elves merged to become one.
Yeoh’s casting comes after three months since Jodie Turner-Smith’s exit from the project due to scheduling conflicts. She was originally slated for the role of Éile, a character 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.
The six-part limited series will also star Vikings alum Laurence O’Fuarain who has been cast for the role of Fjall, a character who comes from a clan of warriors sworn to protect a King. In his quest for redemption, Fjall will find himself fighting beside the most unlikely of allies as he carves a path of vengeance across a continent in turmoil.
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The Witcher: Blood Origin will be executive produced by Declan de Barra, who also serves as the showrunner. The Witcher showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich will also executive produce along with Hivemind’s Jason Brown and Sean Daniel, and Platige Films’ Tomek Baginski and Jarek Sawko. Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski will serve as a creative consultant on the series.
