We’re closing in on the release of Netflix’s live-action Witcher spinoff The Witcher: Blood Origin, and we’re finally giving us a better idea of what to expect. A new trailer was just released for the four-episode limited series over the weekend, which gives us our first look at many of the major players. That includes the bard Jaskier, played by Joey Batey.
Blood Origin is set some 1,200 years before the mothership Witcher show, during the lead-up to an event known as the Conjunction of the Spheres, when planets merged to create the Continent as we know it. Jaskier will be one of the narrators of this tale.
Showrunner Declan de Barra confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that plans had been in place for Jaskier to be included in the series for quite some time, thanks to a note from The Witcher boss Lauren Schmidt Hissrich.
“I think it was one of the first sets of notes on the pilot that I wrote. I think it was Lauren who suggested it,” De Barra recalled. “I think she made the suggestion of Jaskier in terms of having a throughline and a narrator of sorts.”
However, Jaskier was originally planned to have a much smaller role in the series. It was only during the reshoots and reported overhaul the series went through earlier this year that it was decided to expand his part in Blood Origin.
“When we got the chance to do some pickup shots, we were like, ‘Let’s make it even beefier and more poignant,'” de Barra said. “And we did. I’m just very happy.”
Joey Batey wishes he had a bigger part in The Witcher: Blood Origin
While it’s true that Jaskier is always a scene stealer (his prerogative as a flamboyant bard), The Witcher: Blood Origin is not truly his story. The bard will narrate the prequel alongside SeanchaÍ (Minnie Driver), a mysterious being who collects stories.
“The power of music and stories is at the heart of The Witcher: Blood Origin so it makes sense for Jaskier to be some kind of connective tissue between Blood Origin and the main show,” Batey told EW. “When I was asked to take a break from filming season 3 to take part in Blood Origin, I was absolutely thrilled. Despite my brief appearance, it was such a pleasure to act alongside the inimitable Minnie Driver and work with the incredible stunt team over a gruelling three-day shoot.”
The few images we’ve seen of Batey in the spinoff show him covered in blood while warriors clash in the night around him. It’s not clear what exactly he’s up to, but it doesn’t look like a good time. The Witcher: Blood Origin focuses on an almost entirely new cast of characters, so Jaskier will only appear briefly. He filmed the entirety of his scenes over the course of only three days.
“As a fan of the books, I loved watching Declan’s story unfold and I was blown away by how much energy and detail each of the cast brought to their characters,” Batey added. “If I’m honest, I’m gutted I wasn’t in it more!”
The Witcher: Blood Origin premieres on Netflix on December 25.
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