The Witcher: Blood Origin: Laurence O’Fuarain to lead prequel series

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Sharpen your swords and be sure to study your bestiary because Irish actor Laurence O’Fuarain has landed the lead role in Netflix's The Witcher: Blood Origin.

O’Fuarain, who you'll recognize from series like Vikings and Game of Thrones, will step into the role of Fjall. Born into a clan of warriors sworn to protect a King, Fjall carries a deep scar within, the death of a loved one who fell in battle trying to save him. A scar that won’t let him settle, or make peace with himself or the world around him. 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.

O’Fuarain joins Jodie Turner-Smith in the prequel series based on the novels behind the popular videogame franchise. Turner-Smith plays Éile, an elite warrior blessed with the voice of a goddess, who has left her clan and position as Queen’s guardian to follow her heart as a nomadic musician.

The Witcher: Blood Origin takes place 1,200 years before The Witcher, which chronicles the adventures of monster hunter Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill). The new series tells of the creation of the 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.

The Witcher: Blood Origin will consist of six parts with Declan de Barra acting as showrunner. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich will executive produce with Andrzej Sapkowski acting as a creative consultant. Jason Brown and Sean Daniel from Hivemind, and Tomek Baginski and Jarek Sawko from Platige Films will also serve as executive producers.

Netflix appears to be making good on their promise of going all-in on The Witcher franchise. Seeing as the first season of Henry Cavill's The Witcher was a major hit with fans as well as newcomers, it makes total sense to expand the world and tell new stories. I'm completely on board with this initiative as I love high fantasy action dramas. Especially ones that are filled with monsters and mayhem. Bring it on!