After the success of the adaptation of the Witcher novels by Andrzej Sapkowski and the video games by Polish developers CD Projekt Red, Netflix has lined up a spin-off series called The Witcher: Blood Origin that will serve as a prequel to the first show. Casting has been underway on the project for quite some time, and it has now been reported that the series has cast British actress Sophia Brown in a leading role that Jodie Turner-Smith would have performed had the latter not exited due to scheduling conflicts.

Brown has an extensive resume as a bit performer in films and series, most notably Girl/Haji and the Beauty and the Beast live-action remake. She is relatively unknown and is also a newer presence in the entertainment industry, with her acting credits only dating back to 2015. Interestingly, she is trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance and can be seen in the music video for "home with you" by the singer/songwriter FKA Twigs.

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Deadline reports Brown will officially replace the Queen & Slim actress Jodie Turner-Smith for The Witcher: Blood Origin, which is set to begin filming in the United Kingdom this August. This announcement follows the exciting revelation that screen legend Michelle Yeoh has joined the cast as well, and she will also be joining Vikings alum Laurence O'Fuarain. Blood Origin will tell the story of the first prototype Witcher and show how the separate worlds of monsters, men, and elves merge to become one. Brown will be playing Éile, a warrior blessed with the voice of a goddess. The series will be a six-episode miniseries overseen by original series producer Declan de Barra.

Brown is an exciting emerging talent, and it's a joy to see her have a chance to shine in front of millions of viewers, as Netflix's The Witcher is a certified hit with ratings. As for now, between Blood Origin, the original show's next season, and the potential for new Witcher video games, it's clear that fans have a lot to look forward to.

The Witcher series is currently one of the most popular series available on Netflix, with season one being one of its most-watched releases from 2019. Although the wait for season 2 of the original series was longer than expected due to production delays caused by the pandemic (and an injury sustained by lead star Henry Cavill), the return of the series and eventual debut of Blood Origin promises to be worth it.

The Witcher: Blood Origin is expected to debut on Netflix in 2022.

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Source: Deadline