In May 2015, ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ was released. It concluded the acclaimed game franchise based on the novel series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Two years later in 2017, Netflix announced it would bring its own spin on Sapkowski’s works.
On the 19th of May 2015, ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ was released. It concluded the acclaimed game franchise based on the novel series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Two years later in 2017, Netflix announced it would bring its own spin on Sapkowski’s works. Here is everything we know about the awaited Netflix’s ‘The Witcher’ so far.
Let’s start from the beginning; what even is ‘The Witcher’? Starting publication in 1993, ‘The Witcher’ is a fantasy book series following the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter with amnesia. Andrzej Sapkowski’s works have since gone on to gain cult status in many Eastern European countries. It is these books that the Netflix show shall be adapted from, not the games.
In December last year, it was confirmed that Lauren Schmidt Hissrich had been hired as head writer and executive producer. Hissrich is no stranger to Netflix having written episodes for both ‘Daredevil’ and 'The Defenders’.
On the 8th of May, Hissrich announced on her Twitter account that the writers’ room had “opened”. Scripts were well into the writing process prior to this, with Hissrich having completed a draft of the pilot.
Andrzej Sapkowski has also been brought on board as a creative consultant. “Several [other] Polish people” have also been hired. It is appropriate to assume that the show will be filmed in Eastern Europe.
The casting process has caused some controversy to say the least. Geralt was announced to be portrayed by Henry Cavill on the 4th of September. Many speculated this meant he had given up his role as Superman in the DC films. Warner Bros. confirmed Henry Cavill will no longer be playing the 'Man of Steel' on the 12th of the same month.
Ciri - a princess and Geralt’s former apprentice - is to be played by Freya Allan. It was initially believed that Hissrich and Netflix were looking for a BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) actress for the role. With their alternative casting choice, it has caused some backlash with activists who stand for equal representation in casting decisions.
Allan is a white actress so it is unclear if the BAME casting call was false or if Netflix caved to the pressure. Either way, Ciri is sure to be Allan’s breakout role.
The rest of the cast will be rounded off by Anya Chalotra, Jodhi May, Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson, Adam Levy, MyAnna Buring, Mimi Ndiweni, Therica Wilson-Read and Millie Brady.
The eight-episode, first season, is expected to be released in late 2019. So, make sure to mark your calendars for what could be the next ‘Game of Thrones’,