The Witcher prequel series has lost its leading actor before filming has even begun.
Back in January this year, The Witcher: Blood Origins, the prequel to the main Netflix series cast its first leading star.
The star in question was Jodie Turner-Smith, who is perhaps better known for her roles in Queen and Slim, Jet and Nightflyers.
Turner-Smith was cast in a leading role alongside Laurence O’Fuarain, and she was set to play Éile.
Éile is described as “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 was set to begin filming at Arborfield Studios in the UK very soon. But now it seems that production will be temporarily put on hold until a replacement to play Éile can be found.
The reason it seems that Jodie Turner-Smith has left her role is due to a scheduling conflict with other projects.
A statement on Turner-Smith’s departure was provided to Deadline:
“Due to a change in the production schedule for The Witcher: Blood Origin limited series, unfortunately, Jodie Turner-Smith will no longer be able to continue on in the role of Éile.“
The official description by Netflix for Éile described that she: “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 Witcher: Blood Origin will be a six-episode production for Netflix and is set around 1,200 years before the main series starring Geralt of Rivia.
It will be interesting to see who Netflix will now cast as the new Éile and if I was to take a guess, they’ve probably already got someone lined up.
Are you disappointed that Jodie Turner-Smith will no longer play Éile in The Witcher: Blood Origin? Let us know across our social media channels.
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