Originally Posted by Drath Malorn
And given the situation, I think that Jaheira couldn't possibly be an Origin Character. For Minsc, it's not 100% clear, but I feel he's probably not though. So I guess Larian has, implicitly, informed us that we could have non-Origin Character.
There was also a German article that said they weren’t Origin characters: https://www.pcgames.de/Baldurs-Gate...Edition-Patch-9-Panel-from-Hell-1409094/

Here is the translation (from Google):
Game Director Swen Vincke told us in an interview that Minsc (and Boo) and Jaheira can be recruited as followers, but they can't be played as Origin characters themselves like Elf Astarion can, for example.

Originally Posted by Drath Malorn
Hurray. I hope that means that folks like Halsin, Minthara, or some of the Tieflings or Druids in the Grove (Alfira, Nettie, etc), now have a higher chance of becoming Companions.
Hopefully so!!!🤞🤞🤞