Michelle Yeoh Breaks Down Her The Witcher: Blood Origin Character
Michelle Yeoh discusses her The Witcher: Blood Origin character. The upcoming Netflix series is a prequel to the popular fantasy-drama The Witcher, itself a fantasy show based on a series of books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Starring Man of Steel’s Henry Cavill as the titular character, Geralt of Rivia, The Witcher follows the enchanted monster hunter as his life becomes intertwined with Princess Ciri (Freya Allen), the powerful sorcerer Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), and lively bard Jaskier (Joey Batey).
Set 1200 years before the events of original show, The Witcher: Blood Origin will be a four-episode miniseries set to deepen the world and follow new characters. Similar to other recent fantasy prequels like House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Blood Origin will explore major events from within Sapkowski’s saga, such as the creation of the very first Wticher and the lead-up to the Conjunction of the Spheres. Created by Witcher writer Declan de Barra, the prequel show will star Yeoh in a lead role of Scian. Rounding out the cast is Clique star Sophia Brown as Éile and Rebellion star Laurence O’Fuarain as Fjall.
In a recent interview with EW, Yeoh shares new details regarding her The Witcher: Blood Origin character. Scian was a member of the Ghost Clan of elves until her tribe refused to fight for the King of Xintrea. In an act of retribution, he sent the Dog Clan to kill her people. Yeoh reveals that « [Scian] was saved by Raven Clan, who adopted me and I became the sword mother of Éile, who is the Lark, and that was our bond. » Yeoh adds, « Unfortunately for the Queen of Pryshia, I taught Éile more than swordsmanship. » When Blood Origin starts, Scian is in a very unique place as a hermit in the Black Sands, as Yeoh explains:
« It is totally her choice because this is where she finds peace, she communicates with her ancestors to find out what the future holds. »She is very spiritual.This existence is only interrupted because Éile has come looking for her. »
Yeoh’s comments describe a warrior with a past full of pain and loss, as well as an elf filled with integrity and a strong sense of honor. Such a complex, strong, and physical character demands the likes of a performer such as Yeoh. Her long career in the Hong Kong martial arts industry makes her perfect for the role. Plus, as seen with recent hits like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Everything Everywhere All At Once, Yeoh isn’t opposed to dipping her toes into genre projects.
Since the mid-1980s, Yeoh has consistently starred in action and martial arts roles despite a lack of any proper training. Roles in such films as Police Story 3: Super Cop, The Heroic Trio, and Wing Chun cemented her as an action star and lead to dramatic roles in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha, and The Lady. Those parts gave Yeoh the needed experience to play Scian, a warrior whose life is steeped in trauma and is unmatched in her skills with a sword. With The Witcher: Blood Origin’s release set for Christmas, audiences do not have to wait much longer to see Yeoh in action once again.
Source: EW
