Title cut: Reason for eliminating two episodes from The Witcher: Blood Origin prior to its release, explained by the showrunner

The much-anticipated miniseries, The Witcher: Blood Origin, is set to premiere on Christmas Day with just four episodes. This, however, was not the original plan, as the show was initially intended to have six episodes.

Declan de Barra, the showrunner, revealed that two episodes were cut to ensure that the narrative would not feel drawn out or tedious. He wanted the miniseries to maintain a close-ended point, providing creative freedom and allowing for a more focused storytelling.

In the initial discussions about the show, there were no guidelines regarding the number of episodes. The showrunner had free reign in the creative division during the editing process. Despite this, he initially considered doing two "movie-ish" type episodes to maintain the intensity and pace of the story.

The miniseries, set 1200 years before the parent series, delves into the origin of the first Witcher and the fall of the Elven civilization. It is inspired by road tales and revenge stories, such as Seven Samurai or 13 Assassins.

The star-studded cast includes Sophia Brown, Michelle Yeoh, and Lenny Henry. Fans of The Witcher seasons 1-2, currently streaming on Netflix, can catch The Witcher: Blood Origin on the same platform.

Meanwhile, production for Season 3 of The Witcher is in full swing, promising more adventures in the fantastical world of The Continent. As we eagerly await the premiere of The Witcher: Blood Origin, let's remember that sometimes, less can indeed be more, especially when it comes to compelling storytelling.