The Witcher (TV series)

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This article is about the Netflix TV series. For the Polish TV series also based on Andrzej Sapkowski's works, see The Hexer (TV series).

The Witcher
The Witcher Title Card.png
Genre
Created byLauren Schmidt Hissrich
Based onThe Witcher
by Andrzej Sapkowski
Starring
Composers
Season 1
  • Sonya Belousova
  • Giona Ostinelli

Season 2

  • Joseph Trapanese[1]
Country of origin
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes16 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Cinematography
  • Jean-Philippe Gossart
  • Gavin Struthers
Editors
  • Liana Del Giudice
  • Nick Arthurs
  • Jean-Daniel Fernandez-Qundez
  • Xavier Russell
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time47–67 minutes
Production companies
DistributorNetflix
Release
Original networkNetflix
Picture format
  • 4K UHDTV
  • High dynamic range
Audio format5.1 surround sound
Original releaseDecember 20, 2019 (2019-12-20) –
present (present)
Chronology
Related showsThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (animated film)
The Witcher: Blood Origin
External links
Official website

The Witcher is a fantasy drama streaming television series created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, based on the book series of the same name by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski. Set on a fictional, medieval-inspired landmass known as "the Continent", The Witcher explores the legend of Geralt of Rivia and Princess Ciri, who are linked to each other by destiny.[9] It stars Henry Cavill, Freya Allan and Anya Chalotra.

The first season consisted of eight episodes and was released on Netflix in its entirety on December 20, 2019. It was based on The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, which are collections of short stories that precede the main Witcher saga. The second season, consisting of eight episodes, was released on December 17, 2021.[10][11] In September 2021, Netflix renewed the series for a third season.[12] An animated origin story film, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, was released on August 23, 2021,[13][14] while a prequel miniseries, The Witcher: Blood Origin, will release in 2022.[15]

Synopsis[]

The show's first season follows Geralt of Rivia, Crown Princess Ciri, and the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg at different points of time, exploring formative events that shaped their characters, before eventually merging into a single timeline culminating at the battle for Sodden Hill against the invaders from Nilfgaard.

Cast and characters[]

See also: List of characters in The Witcher series

Main[]

  • Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, a magically enhanced monster-hunter known as a "witcher". Cintran princess Ciri is his "destiny".
  • Freya Allan as Ciri, the crown princess of Cintra, granddaughter of Queen Calanthe and daughter of Pavetta, from whom she inherited the Elder Blood. She is linked to Geralt by destiny.
  • Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg, a quarter-elf sorceress with a former hunchbacked appearance.
  • Joey Batey as Jaskier, a travelling bard who befriends Geralt and accompanies him on his path.
  • MyAnna Buring as Tissaia de Vries, mentor to Yennefer and the Rectoress of Aretuza, a training academy for female mages.
  • Mimî M. Khayisa as Fringilla Vigo, a sorceress who trained alongside Yennefer. She eventually leads the Nilfgaardian invasion alongside Cahir.
  • Eamon Farren as Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach, a Nilfgaardian army commander who leads the invasion of Cintra and the hunt for Cirilla.
  • Anna Shaffer as Triss Merigold, a sorceress, the court mage of Temeria and advisor to King Foltest.
  • Royce Pierreson as Istredd, an adept sorcerer and historian who befriends Yennefer at Aretuza.
  • Wilson Mbomio as Dara, a refugee elf boy whom Cirilla befriends after the Slaughter of Cintra.
  • Mahesh Jadu as Vilgefortz of Roggeveen, a charismatic sorcerer who rallies the northern mages to halt the invading Nilfgaardian army in Sodden.
  • Tom Canton as Filavandrel, the last king of the Elves (main season 2; guest season 1).
  • Mecia Simson as Francesca Findabair, an elven sorceress (season 2).
  • Kim Bodnia as Vesemir, the oldest living witcher and Geralt's mentor and father figure (season 2).
    • Theo James has a vocal cameo in Season 1 as a young Vesemir. He reprises his role in the animated prequel film The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.

Recurring[]

  • Jodhi May as Queen Calanthe, ruler of the Kingdom of Cintra and grandmother of Princess Cirilla.
  • Adam Levy as Mousesack, the court druid of Cintra and advisor to Queen Calanthe.
  • Björn Hlynur Haraldsson as King Eist Tuirseach, husband to Queen Calanthe and step-grandfather of Cirilla (Season 1).
  • Lars Mikkelsen as Stregobor, resident mage in the town of Blaviken and the Rector of Ban Ard, the academy for male mages.
  • Therica Wilson-Read as Sabrina Glevissig, a sorceress who trained alongside Yennefer.
  • Terence Maynard as Artorius Vigo, court mage from Toussaint and uncle of Fringilla.
  • Judit Fekete as Vanielle of Brugge, a sorceress and one of the mages who fought during the Battle of Sodden Hill (Season 1).
  • Paul Bullion as Lambert, a witcher at Kaer Morhen and friend of Geralt (Season 2).
  • Yasen Atour as Coën, a witcher at Kaer Morhen and friend of Geralt (Season 2).
  • Ania Marson as Voleth Meir, a demon who came to the plane with the Conjunction of the Spheres, who feeds on pain and fear (Season 2).
  • Graham McTavish as Sigismund Dijkstra, head of the Redanian Intelligence and ally of Philippa Eilhart (Season 2).
  • Ed Birch as Vizimir, the king of Redania (Season 2).
  • Chris Fulton as Rience, a renegade mage set on a hunt for Ciri (Season 2).
  • Aisha Fabienne Ross as Lydia van Bredevoort, Rience's liaison who gets him out of prison on her master's orders (Season 2).
  • Kaine Zajaz as Gage, Francesca’s brother (Season 2)

Notable guests[]

  • Emma Appleton as Renfri of Creyden, a princess-turned-bandit who leads a gang of brigands and has a bloody grudge against Stregobor (Season 1).
  • Mia McKenna-Bruce as Marilka, daughter of Blaviken's alderman (Season 1).
  • Tobi Bamtefa as Sir Danek, a Cintran commander of Calanthe's royal guard (Season 1).
  • Maciej Musiał as Sir Lazlo, a Cintran knight charged with protecting Cirilla (Season 1).
  • Natasha Culzac as Toruviel, an elven warrior serving Filavandrel (Season 1).
  • Amit Shah as Torque, a sylvan ("horned devil") who works for Filavandrel (Season 1).
  • Shaun Dooley as King Foltest, the king of Temeria, whose incestuous relationship with his sister created a daughter.
  • Julian Rhind-Tutt as Giltine, the enchanter of Aretuza who brings adepts into their perfect physical forms after they graduate (Season 1).
  • Gaia Mondadori as Princess Pavetta, the daughter of Queen Calanthe and mother of Ciri.
  • Bart Edwards as Duny, the "Urcheon of Erlenwald" / Emperor Emhyr var Emreis, Pavetta's lover, afflicted by a curse that transforms him into a hedgehog man until midnight. He is later revealed to be the White Flame, the current emperor of Nilfgaard.
  • Josette Simon as Eithne, the Queen of the Dryads of Brokilon Forest (Season 1).
  • Nóra Trokán as the Dryad General (Season 1).
  • Marcin Czarnik as Ronin Mage, an assassin sent to murder Queen Kalis and her baby daughter (Season 1).
  • Blair Kincaid as Crach an Craite, a member of a royal clan from the Skellige Isles, who was invited to Pavetta's wedding (Season 1).
  • Lucas Englander as Chireadan, a healer elf from the Redanian city of Rinde (Season 1).
  • Jordan Renzo as Eyck of Denesle, a virtuous knight (Season 1).
  • Ron Cook as Borch Three Jackdaws, a man who is actually the golden dragon Villentretenmerth (Season 1).
  • Jeremy Crawford as Yarpen Zigrin, the leader of a gang of dwarven mercenaries and friend of Geralt.
  • Ella-Rae Smith as Fola, a young sorceress in Aretuza (Season 1).
  • Francis Magee as Yurga, a travelling merchant in Sodden, rescued from monsters by Geralt (Season 1).
  • Anna-Louise Plowman as Zola, Yurga's wife who offers Cirilla sanctuary in her rural home in Sodden (Season 1).
  • Frida Gustavsson as Ma/Visenna, mother of Geralt of Rivia (Season 1).
  • Kristofer Hivju as Nivellen, an aristocrat who has been transformed into a beast through a curse (Season 2).
  • Agnes Born as Vereena, a bruxa and love interest of Nivellen (Season 2).
  • Basil Eidenbenz as Eskel, a witcher at Kaer Morhen and close friend of Geralt (Season 2).
  • Jota Castellano as Gwain, a witcher at Kaer Morhen (Season 2).
  • Nathanial Jacobs as Everard, a witcher at Kaer Morhen (Season 2).
  • Chuey Okoye as Merek, a witcher at Kaer Morhen (Season 2).
  • Kevin Doyle as Ba'lian, an elf seeking refuge in the most unexpected places of the Continent (Season 2).
  • Niamh McCormack as Lara Dorren, an extremely powerful, ancient Elven sorceress who fell in love with a human mage, Ciri's ancestor (Season 2).
  • Adjoa Andoh as Mother Nenneke, the wise High Priestess of the Temple of Melitele in Ellander and an old friend of Geralt (Season 2).
  • Simon Callow as Codringher, an investigator and partner of Fenn who helps Istredd (Season 2).
  • Liz Carr as Fenn, an investigator and partner of Codringher who helps Istredd (Season 2).
  • Rebecca Hanssen as Meve, queen of Lyria (Season 2).
  • Richard Tirado as Demavend, king of Aedirn (Season 2).
  • Edward Rowe as Henselt, king of Kaedwen (Season 2).
  • Luke Cy as Ethain, king of Cidaris (Season 2).
  • Sam Hazeldine as Eredin, king of the legendary Wild Hunt (Season 2).
  • Cassie Clare as Philippa Eilhart, a sorceress and advisor to king Vizimir of Redania, as well as Dijkstra's favored spy (Season 2).

Episodes[]

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
18December 20, 2019 (2019-12-20)
28December 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)

Season 1 (2019)[]

The first season is based on The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny.[16] A website with timelines for the show, along with in-depth summaries of events, was later created by Netflix.[17]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"The End's Beginning"Alik SakharovLauren Schmidt HissrichDecember 20, 2019 (2019-12-20)
Following Geralt of Rivia's battle with a kikimora in 1231, he enters the town of Blaviken and meets Renfri, a cursed princess-turned-bandit hunted by the wizard Stregobor, who thinks she is evil for her birth during an eclipse. Stregobor lures Geralt to his hideout, seeking to hire him to kill Renfri, but Geralt refuses. Renfri later offers Geralt a counter-proposal, but he refuses with an ultimatum: leave or die. She feigns agreement, but upon waking up the next morning, Geralt realizes Renfri will not stop until Stregobor is dead, and he rushes to stop her. After killing her men, he fights and fatally wounds Renfri, whose dying words tell him of a girl in the forest who is his destiny forever. Stregobor arrives to take Renfri's body for autopsy. When Geralt opposes, the townsfolk force him to leave, urged on by Stregobor. In 1263, the kingdom of Cintra is conquered by its southern neighbor Nilfgaard. Princess Cirilla, also known as Ciri, is sent away by her grandmother, Queen Calanthe, to escape and find Geralt. Cirilla is captured by Nilfgaardian officer Cahir, but the sight of the burning city and castle trigger her powers, allowing her to escape.
Based on "The Lesser Evil" from The Last Wish.[16]
22"Four Marks"Alik SakharovJenny KleinDecember 20, 2019 (2019-12-20)
In 1206, hunchback Yennefer from Vengerberg of Aedirn is sold to Tissaia de Vries by her father. She is taken to Aretuza for training in magic, but finds difficulty in the practice. She makes a friendship with Istredd, even revealing her quarter-elf heritage, a cause of her deformity. Unbeknownst to either, Tissaia and Stregobor were using Yennefer and Istredd respectively to spy on each other. Later, Yennefer witnesses Tissaia turning three students into eels to act as conduits powering Aretuza with magic. In 1240, Geralt is hired to investigate grain thefts in Posada and is followed by Jaskier the bard. They encounter a Sylvan named Torque, who knocks them unconscious and takes them to his mountain cave. There, Geralt meets Filavandrel, the elven king, and urges he lead his people to better lands after being banished by the humans. Instead of killing them, Filavandrel frees Geralt and Jaskier, taking the witcher's words to heart. In 1263, Cirilla encounters Dara, a boy in the woods, who guides her to a refugee camp. Dara returns to save her as the camp is attacked by Cahir's forces, and she later realizes Dara is an elf.
Based on "The Edge of the World" from The Last Wish.[16]
33"Betrayer Moon"Alex Garcia LopezBeau DeMayoDecember 20, 2019 (2019-12-20)
In 1210, Yennefer and Istredd become lovers while finishing their training. While Yennefer has the chance to transform her body into her ideal image during graduation, the Brotherhood of Sorcerers discuss the allocation of their newly initiated to their respective kingdoms. Through Stregobor's scheming, Yennefer is assigned to Nilfgaard instead of her preferred Aedirn due to her elven blood. Yennefer angrily breaks up with Istredd, knowing only he could have told Stregobor about her blood. Having missed graduation, Yennefer undergoes the painful transformation to be beautiful at the cost of her fertility. With her new body, Yennefer charms Aedirn's King Virfuril into taking her as advisor, sending Fringilla to Nilfgaard instead. In 1243, Geralt enters the kingdom of Temeria to investigate a monster, assisted by Triss Merigold, King Foltest's sorceress advisor. He identifies the monster as a Strzyga, a creature born from a curse he later discovers was placed by the courtier Ostrit who learned about the affair between Foltest and his sister, Princess Adda. Using Ostrit as bait, Geralt battles to contain the Striga until dawn, which lifts the curse. In 1263, Cirilla enters a dense forest in a trance as Dara follows to help.
Based on "The Witcher" from The Last Wish.[16]
44"Of Banquets, Bastards and Burials"Alex Garcia LopezDeclan de BarraDecember 20, 2019 (2019-12-20)
In 1240, having served Aedirn for thirty years, Yennefer escorts Queen Kalis of Lyria when they are ambushed by an assassin. The assassin follows them through multiple portals, killing Kalis. Although Yennefer escapes with Kalis's newborn daughter, she finds that the baby had died in her arms. In 1249, Geralt accompanies Jaskier to the betrothal feast of Princess Pavetta, Queen Calanthe's daughter. Urcheon of Erlenwald (also named Duny) interrupts to demand Pavetta's hand through the Law of Surprise, having saved her father years earlier. Urcheon suffers from a curse that transformed him into a hedgehog/man creature. Despite Pavetta's acceptance, Calanthe refuses and a brawl ensues. When Calanthe tries killing Urcheon, Pavetta activates her power, unleashing a maelstrom until Geralt and Mousesack intervene. Wanting her daughter happy, Calanthe marries Duny and Pavetta, which lifts Duny's curse. Duny, thankful for Geralt's aid, insists he take a reward, so Geralt jokingly invokes the Law of Surprise for something Duny has but doesn't yet know. The crowd then immediately learns Pavetta is pregnant with Duny's child, Cirilla. In 1263, Nilfgaard's forces resume their pursuit of Cirilla with Mousesack as their prisoner. Meanwhile, Cirilla and Dara encounter the dryad queen Eithne in Brokilon Forest, while Cahir and Fringilla track Ciri's location.
Based on "A Question of Price" from The Last Wish, and "Sword of Destiny" from Sword of Destiny.[16]
55"Bottled Appetites"Charlotte BrändströmSneha KoorseDecember 20, 2019 (2019-12-20)
In 1256, seven years after Pavetta's betrothal, Geralt and Jaskier discover a Djinn and accidentally release it. Initially, it seems that Jaskier is the Djinn's 'master', but then he falls seriously ill. Geralt seeks help from the nearest healer, the elf Chireadan, but since they need a mage to heal Jaskier, Chireadan reluctantly refers them to Yennefer. Although Yennefer cures Jaskier, her plan is to use him to capture the Djinn and force it to grant her wish of regaining her fertility. As Jaskier uses his last wish, nothing happens and it's revealed that it is Geralt, not Jaskier, who has actually gained the wishes. Geralt realizes the Djinn will kill Yennefer, so he uses his third and final wish to save her (but the wish itself is not revealed). The Djinn leaves. Now free and safe, Yennefer asks what his third wish was, but Geralt falls asleep without answering. In 1263, Cahir hires a doppler to assume the identity of Mousesack; the doppler copies his physical form and memories, then kills him. Later, Eithne allows Ciri to stay in Brokilon, but "Mousesack" arrives and requests Ciri and Dara leave with him.
Based on "The Last Wish" from The Last Wish.[16]
66"Rare Species"Charlotte BrändströmHaily HallDecember 20, 2019 (2019-12-20)
In 1262, Geralt and Jaskier are invited to join a dragon hunt by the adventurer Borch and his two bodyguards, Téa and Véa. Yennefer also join the party, along with a band of dwarves and Reavers, professional monster hunters. After camping overnight, the party find the Reavers have departed. The dwarves take the party to a mountain shortcut, but the bridge collapses. Borch's group sacrifices themselves rather than endanger the party. Geralt and Yennefer reconcile before reaching the dragon's den, but find it dead with Téa and Véa guarding the dragon's egg. Borch reveals himself as Villentretenmerth, a golden dragon. The five of them defend the egg from the Reavers. Geralt reveals to Yennefer his third wish bound their fates together. Believing her feelings to be artificial, Yennefer breaks up with him and leaves. Hurt, Geralt blames Jaskier for his misfortunes and hopes that they never meet again. In 1263, Dara grows suspicious of "Mousesack", so Ciri questions him and the doppler reveals himself. In the scuffle, Dara is knocked out as Ciri escapes, but is captured by Cahir. "Ciri" reveals itself as the doppler and fights Cahir before escaping. Dara frees the real Ciri, but leaves her.
Based on "The Bounds of Reason" from Sword of Destiny.[16]
77"Before a Fall"Alik Sakharov & Marc JobstMike OstrowskiDecember 20, 2019 (2019-12-20)
In 1263, with Nilfgaard poised to invade Cintra, Geralt decides to invoke his Law of Surprise and claim Ciri to protect her. Seeing through the impostor Ciri offered up by Calanthe, he is imprisoned by Eist. After visiting Istredd, Yennefer returns to Aretuza with the sorcerer Vilgefortz. When he announces his intention to rally mages to oppose Nilfgaard, she declines. The Brotherhood votes to remain neutral, but Tissaia, Vilgefortz, Triss and other mages resolve to fight. Tissaia convinces Yennefer to join. Nilfgaard invades Cintra, sacking the city and breaching the castle. Calanthe tries to send Ciri away with Geralt, but he has escaped his cell and is nowhere to be found. Ciri fends for herself after escaping Cintra. Later, she is discovered by her old friends who suddenly turn on her, and her powers activate.
Based on "Something More" from Sword of Destiny.[16]
88"Much More"Marc JobstLauren Schmidt HissrichDecember 20, 2019 (2019-12-20)
Having escaped from Cintra, Geralt defends a merchant from undead monsters, but is wounded and loses consciousness. Yennefer and the mages reinforce the strategic keep of Sodden Hill, aiming to prevent Nilfgaardian forces from invading the rest of the Northern Kingdoms. The Nilfgaardians launch their attack, with both sides utilizing magic and inflicting heavy casualties on each other. Tissaia attempts to talk down Fringilla, but Fringilla disables her. Vilgefortz fights Cahir, but loses and is thrown down a hill. When Vilgefortz wakes up, he kills a Northern sorcerer, revealing himself to be a turncoat. Nilfgaardian soldiers begin to overrun the fort, but Yennefer channels a massive stream of fire, then seemingly disappears. Ciri is awakened by the woman she met earlier and discovers the dead bodies around her. The woman takes her to her farm. Geralt dreams about his mother Visenna, who abandoned him as a child to be made into a witcher, then wakes to find himself on the merchant's cart. When they arrive at the merchant's farm, he hears the woman talk to the man about Ciri. He heads into the forest, where Ciri and Geralt finally meet and embrace. She asks Geralt who Yennefer is.
Based on "Something More" from Sword of Destiny.[16]

Season 2 (2021)[]

The second season is based on "A Grain of Truth" from The Last Wish,[18] Blood of Elves, and the beginning of Time of Contempt.[19]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
91"A Grain of Truth"Stephen SurjikDeclan de BarraDecember 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)
The Northern Kingdoms prevail at Sodden. Geralt and Ciri encounter Tissaia on the battlefield and she tells them of Yenn's sacrifice, implying she didn't survive. Geralt decides to take Ciri to the witcher stronghold, Kaer Morhen. They come across a deserted village and Geralt detours to visit a nearby friend, Nivellen, who they discover has been cursed into a beast form. Ciri encounters a young woman named Vereena hiding in the house. Geralt investigates the village further and determines it was a bruxa, a type of vampire with a powerful scream, that caused the villagers to flee. He returns to see Vereena drinking Nivellen's blood. In the ensuing fight, Vereena is killed by Geralt, lifting Nivellen's curse. Nivellen reveals he loved Vereena and did nothing during her attacks on the village. He also reveals, to Geralt and Ciri's disgust, that he was cursed because he had raped a priestess. He begs Geralt to kill him, but Geralt refuses and tells him to do it himself. In Aretuza, Tissaia tortures Cahir for information on Nilfgaard. Fringilla takes Yennefer captive and starts toward Cintra, but their party is ambushed on the road.
Based on "A Grain of Truth" from The Last Wish.[18]
102"Kaer Morhen"Stephen SurjikBeau DeMayoDecember 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)
Yennefer and Fringilla are captured by Filavandrel, who takes them to elven sorceress Francesca Findabair. Francesca wants them killed but Filavandrel argues they're useful in these woods, which are human. The elves are digging near a ruined monolith under the order of Francesca, who is having visions of a white-robed figure she believes is the elven prophet Ilthinne. Yennefer and Fringilla also dream of robed figures, red and black, respectively. They tell Filavandrel their dreams and suggest they might be able to help the elves; Filavandrel is considering this when the elves find something. A tunnel opens to an altar inscribed with an incantation. Francesca recites the incantation and the altar opens to reveal a passage leading to a magic hut in a forest. The three sorceresses are visited by the Deathless Mother, a mysterious being who takes on a different form for each -- Yennefer sees her younger self, Fringilla sees Emperor Emhyr, and Francesca sees Ilthinne -- and reveals the path each must take to achieve their greatest desire. The sorceresses are released. Fringilla joins Francesca to form an elven-Nilfgaardian alliance; Yennefer calls them fools and attempts to open a portal, only to discover she's lost her magic. Geralt and Ciri join the remaining witchers at Kaer Morhen. Eskel arrives late, carrying the severed hand of a leshy. The witchers are partying when their medallions start vibrating, indicating a monster is near. Geralt discovers Eskel was infected by the leshy and has been transformed into one, which should be impossible. Eskel says he returned seeking help, but he's unable to control the leshy side and attacks Vesemir, forcing Geralt to kill him. Realizing Kaer Morhen isn't safe, Geralt agrees to train Ciri in combat.
113"What Is Lost"Sarah O'GormanTeleplay by : Lauren Schmidt Hissrich & Clare Higgins
Story by : Clare Higgins		December 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)
Ciri continues to train in swordmanship, fitness and agility. Vesemir investigates the mutated leshy. Yennefer makes her way to Aretuza; Tissaia informs her that her absence has aroused suspicions regarding her allegiance among the Brotherhood, and implores her to lay low. Stregobor interrogates Yennefer, until Tissaia intervenes. The Council of the Brotherhood decrees that to prove her loyalty, Yennefer must execute Cahir. During the execution ceremony, in front of an audience of the Brotherhood and the Northern monarchs, Yennefer releases Cahir, and the two escape. A pregnant Francesca and the elves settle in Cintra under the protection of Nilfgaard. In Kaer Morhen, Geralt reveals to Ciri that she may have inherited magical powers from her mother. They track down the leshy; during the battle, a myriapod, a centipede-like monster, appears and kills the leshy, then pursues Ciri. Geralt kills the myriapod.
124"Redanian Intelligence"Sarah O'GormanSneha KoorseDecember 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)
Triss arrives at Kaer Morhen, having been invited by Geralt to help Ciri in magical training. Geralt, Ciri and Triss investigate the origins of the myriapod and leshy, finding that they are connected to monoliths. Ciri confesses that she toppled a monolith in Cintra. Triss portals Geralt to Istredd, known for studying monoliths. Vesemir discovers that Ciri has Elder blood, long thought as extinct, and rumored to be an ingredient in mutagens used to create witchers. Yennefer and Cahir, now wanted, escape to the city of Oxenfurt in the North, where a pogrom against elves is taking place. In Redania, Sigismund Dijkstra and Philippa Eilhart, spymaster and court mage respectively to King Vizimir, began to plot the seizure of Cintra. They recruit the imprisoned elf Dara as an informant. Meanwhile Yennefer and Cahir discover that a figure called The Sandpiper, revealed to be Jaskier, is smuggling elves to Cintra. With Jaskier's help, Yennefer, Cahir and Dara board the ship bound for Cintra, but after Jaskier leaves, Yennefer finds that he has gotten into trouble.
135"Turn Your Back"Ed BazalgetteHaily HallDecember 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)
Rience, a fire mage, is freed from prison and tasked to find Ciri by the sorceress Lydia, who is serving an unknown master. Geralt and Istredd travel to the fallen monolith outside Cintra. Yennefer, having disembarked from the ship, rescues Jaskier from Rience; they are then separated and captured by city guards. Vesemir reveals his plan to create new witchers to Ciri. Ciri agrees, but insists to be the first candidate. Investigating the ruins of the monolith, Geralt and Istredd hypothesizes that the monoliths are gateways that, when activated, allow monsters to enter their world. Geralt learns that Yennefer is alive. Triss, attempting to dissuade Ciri, conducts a ritual in hopes of discovering Ciri's source of power. They uncover Ithlinne's prophecy, which predicts that a child of the Elder blood will destroy the world. Ciri's powers activate the monolith, causing a flying monster to appear which then flies away. Geralt portals back to Kaer Morhen, stopping Ciri from taking part in the conversion. Cahir arrives at Cintra. Yennefer summons the Deathless Mother and disappears; she is tasked with delivering Ciri to a location outside Cintra.
146"Dear Friend"Louise HooperMatthew D'AmbrosioDecember 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)
Geralt takes Ciri outside Kaer Morhen; they are attacked by the flying monster Geralt encountered at Cintra. Geralt's horse, Roach, is mortally wounded, though Geralt manages to kill the monster. At Kaer Morhen, Vesemir and Triss are ambushed by Rience, who steals the mutagens and escapes. Geralt and Ciri travel to the Temple of Melitele, where Geralt hopes Ciri will learn to control her powers; they meet Yennefer. Francesca successfully gives birth to the first full elf born in years. Cahir reveals to Fringilla that Emhyr is visiting Cintra. Istredd uncovers a link between Ciri and Lara Dorren, a legendary elven warrior. Yennefer tells Geralt that Jaskier is in trouble, and being pursued by the fire mage, whom Geralt deduces is looking for Ciri. Rience appears at the temple; Geralt tells Yennefer to take Ciri while he holds Rience off. Yennefer and Ciri lock themselves in a room and Yennefer teaches Ciri to open a portal. Rience escapes and Geralt catches up with Yennefer and Ciri as they disappear through a portal. Triss tells Tissaia of Ciri's Elder blood.
157"Voleth Meir"Louise HooperMike OstrowskiDecember 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)
Yennefer and Ciri portal to the home of the woman who took Ciri in and discover the family was murdered by Rience. Geralt frees Jaskier from prison and asks for help finding Yennefer and Ciri. Jaskier tells Geralt about Yennefer's lost magic and her muttered incantation; Geralt recognizes the incantation and realizes Yennefer is in league with the Deathless Mother, or Voleth Meir, a demon that feeds on pain. The two meet up and join with Yarpen Zigrin's dwarven crew. The birth of Francesca's baby causes the elves rethink priorities, and they decide to focus on rebuilding instead of fighting for Nilfgaard. Francesca tells a concerned Fringilla that she values the bond of blood over friendship. Fringilla travels to Aretuza to ask her uncle Artorius for help, hoping their bond of blood will sway him, but Artorius dismisses her, suggesting she never had power in Nilfgaard to begin with. Frustrated with her slipping grasp on power, Fringilla assassinates four of the White Flame's generals and intimidates Cahir into vouching for her to the emperor. Yennefer continues teaching Ciri. Tissaia tells Vilgefortz about Ciri, betraying Triss. Dara quits spying for Djikstra. Ciri inadvertently reads Yennefer's mind and sees her betrayal; upset, Ciri has an outburst that alerts a nearby Nilfgaardian patrol. Geralt, Jaskier, and Yarpen arrive in time to defeat the Nilfgaardians. Geralt draws his blade on Yennefer and tells Yarpen and Jaskier to take Ciri to Kaer Morhen. Yennefer recites the incantation. In the castle, Francesca awakens to find her baby murdered. Her outburst of pain gives Voleth Meir the strength to break free; Geralt and Yennefer arrive as the demon escapes the hut.
168"Family"Ed BazalgetteLauren Schmidt HissrichDecember 17, 2021 (2021-12-17)
A possessed Ciri begins killing witchers in their sleep at Kaer Morhen. The remaining witchers, Yennefer, and Jaskier plan on expelling Voleth Meir from Ciri. Voleth Meir uses Ciri's power to uncover a monolith hidden in the hall, then portals in monsters. Geralt and Vesemir attempt to contain Ciri while the rest of the witchers battle the monsters. Blaming the Northern Kingdoms for the loss of her newborn, Francesca kills human babies in Redania. Yennefer offers herself up as a host for Voleth Meir after apologizing to Ciri, freeing the princess from its control. Then Ciri transports Geralt and Yennefer to an unknown world where Voleth Meir leaves Yennefer's body. Ciri, Geralt and Yennefer glimpse the Wild Hunt, who plan to abduct Ciri. Back at Kaer Morhen, Yennefer finds that her powers have returned. Geralt realizes Ciri cannot stay at Kaer Morhen. Deducing that Vizimir is after Ciri, the Brotherhood and the remaining Northern monarchs put a bounty on Ciri and her protectors. Istredd tells Francesca of Ciri's Elder blood and she realizes Ciri is the elves' hope. Emhyr, revealed to be Ciri's father Duny, arrives at Cintra; he discloses that he had Francesca's newborn killed, and orders Fringilla and Cahir arrested.

Production[]

Development[]

Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher book series was initially scheduled to be adapted into a standalone Netflix film, but Kelly Luegenbiehl, Vice President of International Originals at Netflix, dissuaded the producers. She recalled asking them, "How can you take eight novels and just turn it into a film? There's so much material here. Through a number of conversations, the producers got really excited about the idea of using the source material for a longer-running series."[20] In May 2017, Netflix announced the start of production on an English-language drama TV series based on the books.[21][22]

In December 2017, it was reported that Lauren Schmidt Hissrich would serve as showrunner on the show.[23] In April 2018, Schmidt Hissrich revealed that the script for the pilot episode was finished, and the first season would be eight episodes long.[24] In 2017, it was reported that Andrzej Sapkowski would serve as a creative consultant on the show, but in January 2018, Sapkowski denied any direct involvement.[25] However, he met with Schmidt Hissrich in April 2018[26][27] and in May 2018 she stated that Sapkowski was on the creative team of the project.[28] In August, Andrew Laws was revealed as production designer.[29] In December, Radio Times reported directors Alik Sakharov and Charlotte Brändström had joined the project.[30]

Netflix announced a second season on November 13, 2019,[31] under the working title "Mysterious Monsters",[32] with production set to begin in London in early 2020, for a planned release in 2021.[33] In April 2021, Netflix's co-chief executive officer and chief content officer Ted Sarandos confirmed that the second season is expected to premiere in Q4 2021.[34][35] In July 2021, it was announced that the second season would premiere on December 17, 2021.[11] On September 25, 2021, Netflix announced that the series had been renewed for a third season.[12]

Writing[]

The first season was told in a non-linear manner, spanning different time periods. Hissrich said this was inspired by Christopher Nolan's 2017 film Dunkirk.[36] She pointed out that Yennefer's story covers around 70 years and Ciri's only about 2 weeks.[37] Hissrich also said that Yennefer and Cirilla were given more prominence to allow the viewers to understand them better. By showing their backstories, along with Geralt's, "we get down to the soul of the story. It's the story of a broken family. It's a story of three people who are on their own in the world, really orphans all living in the margins of society who are determined to not need anyone, and yet of course they do."[38]

Hissrich said the story for the second season will build on the foundations of the first season, becoming more focused; the characters will interact with each other more frequently.[39] "When I talk about The Witcher, I always talk about how these three characters coming together — Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer — they come together as a family. It's the most important part of the series for me," Hissrich said. "And when you start to imagine someone's family, you also need to understand their family of origin. For Geralt, it's his brothers, it's the brotherhood of the witchers. So I'm really excited to get back in and meet Vesemir, his father figure, for the first time and all of these men that he was raised with since he was seven years old."[40]

Casting[]

Freya Allan, Henry Cavill and Anya Chalotra at the 2019 San Diego Convention for The Witcher

In September 2018, Netflix announced that Henry Cavill would play Geralt of Rivia.[41][42] He was selected from more than 200 actors;[43] Cavill actively campaigned for the role, being a long-time fan of the video game adaptations.[44] In October 2018, Freya Allan and Anya Chalotra were cast as Princess Cirilla and Yennefer of Vengerberg respectively, while Jodhi May, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Adam Levy, MyAnna Buring, Mimî M. Khayisa (then known as Mimi Ndiweni), and Therica Wilson-Read also joined.[45] More casting was announced later that month, including Eamon Farren, Joey Batey, Lars Mikkelsen, Royce Pierreson, Maciej Musiał, Wilson Radjou-Pujalte, and Anna Shaffer.[46]

In February 2020, Netflix announced Kim Bodnia had been cast as Vesemir, an experienced witcher and a mentor to Geralt.[47] Other additions included Kristofer Hivju, Yasen Atour, Agnes Born, Paul Bullion, Thue Ersted Rasmussen, Aisha Fabienne Ross, and Mecia Simson.[47] In September 2020, it was announced that Basil Eidenbenz would replace Rasmussen in the role of Eskel.[48] In November 2020, Rebecca Hanssen was announced for the role of Queen Meve.[49] In March 2021, Kevin Doyle was cast as Ba'Lian, an original character who does not appear in the novels. Cassie Clare, Adjoa Andoh, Liz Carr, Simon Callow, Graham McTavish and Chris Fulton were cast as Philippa Eilhart, Nenneke, Fenn, Codringher, Dijkstra and Rience, respectively.[50]

Filming[]

In April 2018, Schmidt Hissrich revealed that the show would be filmed in Central and Eastern Europe.[51]

Principal photography for the first season began on October 31, 2018, in Hungary.[46] Much of the series was filmed at Mafilm Studios near Budapest; the outdoor set included the exterior of wizard Stregobor's household. The hall in Cintra was constructed at Origo Studios on the outskirts of Budapest. Fort Monostor (Monostori Erőd), and the nearby forest was used for some exterior scenes in Cintra. The Battle of Marnadal was filmed in the hills of a village in Hungary, Csákberény. The village that was Yennefer's original home was filmed at the Skanzen Village Museum, an open-air site near Szentendre some 30 kilometres (20 mi) north of Budapest; this location was also used in scenes with Ciri in an area with a windmill. The production used the exteriors of Burg Kreuzenstein, a castle near Leobendorf, Austria, for the abandoned fictional castle Vizima, but the interiors were filmed at Origo Studios.[52]

In March 2019, production commenced on Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands, Spain. Some scenes were to be shot on the islands of La Palma and La Gomera, as well.[53] Scenes of the Sorcerers' Aretuza Academy (Tower of the Gull) were shot on Roque de Santo Domingo in Garafía, an islet, and enhanced with CGI. The interiors, however, used for the graduation ball were at the Kiscelli Museum in Óbuda. The museum was a monastery in the 18th century. This location was also used for the conclave of the Northern Mages. The Barranco de Fataga area on Gran Canaria island was used for some scenes of arid landscapes. Scenes of Ciri traveling in the desert were filmed in the Natural Dune Reserve of Maspalomas on Gran Canaria. Most of episode six was filmed on La Palma island.[54]

Filming of the first season concluded in Ogrodzieniec Castle in Poland. The ruins of this medieval castle, dating from the 1300s, were the backdrop for scenes including the fictional Vilgefortz of Roggeveen and Triss Merigold. The ruins were also included when shooting the Battle of Sodden Hill in the final episode of Season 1.[54][55] Filming for the first season wrapped in May 2019.[56]

Filming for the second season began in London in early 2020, but was halted for two weeks in March due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic[57] and actor Kristofer Hivju's confirmation that he tested positive for COVID-19.[58] Then, in May 2020, film and television productions that were filming in the UK were given permission to resume filming, including season two of The Witcher.[59] The show resumed pre-production in July and officially resumed filming on August 12, 2020,[60][61] with filming for the second season expected to extend into early 2021.[62] On November 7, 2020, production was halted again after a number of crew members had tested positive for COVID-19.[63] Production resumed two weeks later on November 24, 2020, and continued in December despite Cavill's on-set injury.[64] Filming for the second season wrapped on April 2, 2021.[65]

Filming locations for the second season were all in the UK and included Cathedral Cave and Hodge Close Quarry in the Lake District[66], Low Force Waterfall in the North Pennines[67] and Bourne Wood in Farnham[68].

Music[]

The original song "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher", composed by Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli and sung by Jaskier (Batey) in the second episode, became a viral hit shortly after the series's release.[69] Users have created mods to patch the song into the video game adaptions of The Witcher.[70] All violin solos, for the entire series, were performed by Lindsay Deutsch.[71]

Marketing[]

A mural advertisement banner of The Witcher in Łódź, Poland

Netflix released the first teaser for the series at San Diego Comic-Con on July 19, 2019.[72][73] The first full trailer was revealed at Lucca Comics & Games on October 31, 2019.[74][75] Netflix released a final trailer on December 12, 2019.[76] On October 29, 2021, Netflix released the official trailer for season 2.[77][78][79]

Release[]

In April 2019, Netflix's Ted Sarandos told investors in an earnings call that the series would be released in late 2019.[80] The series premiered on December 20, 2019.[75] The second season premiered on December 17, 2021.[81]

Specials[]

On August 26, 2020, a making-of about the first season of the show titled Making The Witcher was released on Netflix.[82] On September 2, 2020, the making-of series The Witcher: A Look Inside the Episodes premiered on Netflix.[83]

With the release of the second season, Netflix released on December 17, 2021, Making the Witcher: Season 2,[84] The Witcher Bestiary Season 1, Part 1,[85] The Witcher Bestiary Season 1, Part 2,[86] The Characters of the Continent,[87] and The Witcher: Fireplace.[88][89]

Reception[]

Critical reception[]

For the first season, Rotten Tomatoes collected 91 reviews and identified 68% of them as positive, with an average rating of 6.26/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Though the world of The Witcher at times feels only half-formed, Henry Cavill brings brawny charisma to a series teeming with subversive fantasy elements and dark humor."[90] Metacritic calculated a weighted average score of 53 out of 100 based on 17 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[91]

In a positive review of the first season, Erik Kain of Forbes wrote, "If you're looking for an original dark fantasy with some horror elements, some bare skin and plenty of blood and gore (and monsters) look no further.",[92] while James Whitbrook of io9 said, "if you are willing to sit through those trudging opening episodes, punctuated by a cool fight here or an intriguing character scene there, The Witcher slowly but surely finds itself a fantastical slice of bloody, schlocky fun."[93] Conversely, Entertainment Weekly critic Darren Franich said, "my destiny is to never watch this borefest ever again", awarding the first season an F rating.[94] Franich drew criticism when he confessed to watching only the first, second, and fifth episodes.[95]

Author Andrzej Sapkowski commented favorably on the show, stating, "I was more than happy with Henry Cavill's appearance as The Witcher. He's a real professional. Just as Viggo Mortensen gave his face to Aragorn (in The Lord of the Rings), so Henry gave his to Geralt — and it shall be forever so." Sapkowski added, "I shall be happy if the viewers — and readers — take anything away, anything that shall enrich them in some way. Also, I sincerely hope to leave the viewers — and readers — hot. In every sense. Not tepid, not lukewarm."[96]

The second season received positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 94% approval rating with an average rating of 7.9/10, based on 47 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads: "The Witcher's second season expands on its first in all the best ways—and most importantly, it remains a whole lot of fun."[97] Metacritic calculated a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 based on 21 critics, indicating “generally positive reviews".[98]

Audience viewership[]

According to Parrot Analytics, The Witcher, in its US debut, was the third most "in demand" original streaming series, behind Stranger Things and The Mandalorian.[99] Parrot's process measures "demand expressions", which is "its globally standardized TV-demand measurement unit that reflects the desire, engagement, and viewership of a series weighted by importance."[100] On December 31, 2019, Parrot Analytics reported that The Witcher became the most-in-demand TV series in the world, across all platforms.[101]

On December 30, 2019, Netflix issued a number of official lists, including the Most Popular TV Shows of 2019. The series was among the most viewed in the U.S. market, where The Witcher was ranked second among series.[102] On January 21, 2020, Netflix announced that the first season had been viewed by over 76 million viewers on its service within its first month of release.[103] Netflix had recently changed its viewership metric, from 70% of an episode under the previous metric, down to two minutes under the new metric. The new metric gives viewing figures 35% higher on average than the previous one.[104] The 76 million views in its first month based on the new metric (at least two minutes or more) is the largest for a Netflix series launch since the introduction of the new viewership metric.[105][106]

The Witcher was, until the release of Bridgerton and Squid Game, Netflix's most watched original series launch at the time, with 541 million hours viewed in the first 28 days of release.

Sales of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in December 2019 were 554% greater than those from December 2018, attributed to renewed interest in the series due to the show.[107]

Accolades[]

Accolades for The Witcher
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2020 Webby Awards Video - Trailer People's Voice Lucy Bond, Jed Finkelstein, Oleg Loginov and Rebecca Salt Won [108]
British Society of Cinematographers Best Cinematography in a Television Drama Gavin Struthers Nominated [109]
Dragon Awards Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series Lauren Schmidt Hissrich Nominated [110]
2021 Hollywood Music In Media Awards Best Main Title Theme – TV Show/Limited Series Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli Nominated [111]
Best Original Song in a TV Show/Limited Series Sonya Belousova, Giona Ostinelli, and Jenny Klein Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Fantasy Television Series The Witcher Nominated [112]
Best Actor on Television Henry Cavill Nominated
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series Freya Allan Nominated
BMI Film & TV Awards BMI Streaming Series Award Sonya Belousova Won [113]

Spin-offs[]

Films[]

In January 2020, Netflix announced an animated spin-off film titled The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, focusing on the origin story of Geralt's mentor and fellow witcher Vesemir. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich and Beau DeMayo are working on the film, with production by Studio Mir.[114] It was released on August 23, 2021.[115]

On September 25, 2021, a second animated feature film was announced.[12]

TV series[]

A live-action prequel limited series, The Witcher: Blood Origin, was announced by Netflix in July 2020. Set 1200 years before Geralt's time, this would show the origin of the Witchers. Hissrich will develop the prequel as executive producer, and Declan de Barra will serve as showrunner.[116] In January 2021, Jodie Turner-Smith was set to star in the series.[117] In March 2021, Laurence O'Fuarain joined the cast as a lead role.[118] In April 2021, Turner-Smith left the series due to scheduling issue.[119] In July 2021, Michelle Yeoh and Sophia Brown joined the cast. Filming was scheduled to begin in August 2021 in the United Kingdom,[120][121] with Lenny Henry, Mirren Mack, Nathaniel Curtis, Dylan Moran, Jacob Collins-Levy, Lizzie Annis, Huw Novelli, Francesca Mills, Amy Murray and Zach Wyatt joined the cast.[122]

On September 25, 2021, a family-friendly animated series was announced.[12][123]

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