Author Andrzej Sapkowski published the last book in The Witcher world 2013 with Season of Storms. That book was a standalone prequel of sorts set between The Witcher short stories and The Last Wish and told the story of one of Geralt’s monster-hunting contracts that went wrong. To be fair, most of his contracts seem to go wrong in one way or another. Anyway, it turns out Season of Storms is not the end of Sapkowski’s writings in the Continent. Sapkowski said in a livestream with Fantastic Talks that he’s been working on a new Witcher book “quite diligently.” He said that finishing the book should take him around a year, but no longer.

We first saw this news at Polygon (with translation from Redanian Intelligence). Sapkowski has said more than once the main Witcher series ended with The Lady of the Lake (published in 1999). He won’t write additional books about those events after the series’ conclusion. Then Season of Storms came in 2013. We heard in 2020 that the author had plans for a new Witcher, but this has been the most concrete update since.

Given what Sapkowski has said about the main Witcher series being done, we don’t expect a continuation of that story. The Lady of the Lake wraps Ciri’s story, with the character jumping to the world of Camelot. Yes, that Camelot. Given that, Sapkowski likely will leave the series as is. Perhaps we’ll get another short story collection or another standalone tale about one of Geralt’s many adventures.

If Sapkowski’s new Witcher book does publish in 2024 or 2025, we hope the English translation won’t take too long to follow. It’s kind of fitting to have this new Witcher novel on the horizon as Netflix is on the precipice of a major change in its adaptation. Season three of the series recently ended, and season four will see Liam Hemsworth take the place of Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia.

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Henry Cavill’s time on The Witcher has come to an end, but Geralt of Rivia’s has not. Liam Hemsworth will take over the role when the Netflix fantasy series returns for season four. How will the show transition from its original star to its newest? There was reason to think we might get more than just an answer to that question during Cavill’s final few episodes. It seemed possible Hemsworth would actually debut as Geralt.

Did we see him? Did the show at least reveal how they’ll explain Geralt’s new appearance? Or are we still completely in the dark about how The Witcher will introduce a new White Wolf? Here’s what we learned from the end of season three about Liam Hemsworth’s upcoming arrival as Geralt.

Did Liam Hemsworth Appear as Geralt in The Witcher‘s Third Season?

Liam Hemsworth did not appear as Geralt of Rivia during The Witcher‘s third season. Henry Cavill played the titular monster hunter until the season’s final scene, with nary a nod to the fact he will soon look like a different person. Hemsworth won’t make his series debut until season four.

How Will The Witcher Explain Geralt’s New Appearance in Season Four?

Prior to the conclusion of The Witcher‘s third season, executive producers Steve Gaub and Tomek Baginski promised viewers the show will deliver a “flawless” and “lore accurate” transition from Cavill to Hemsworth. The show does not plan on simply ignoring the change.

How will they address it? Baginski told Yahoo UK the switch will be “very, very close to the meta ideas which are deeply embedded in the books, especially in book five.” While the two refused to offer specifics and spoil anything, their comments led to plenty of speculation among fans. (That included speculation Hemsworth would appear near the end of the third season.)

Of the many theories proposed, author Andrzej Sapkowski’s fifth book, The Lady of the Lake, offers three intriguing options that qualify as meta to explain the transition.

What Are Possible Lore-Accurate, Meta Explanations for Geralt’s New Face in Season Four?

We have three excellent explanations for why Geralt will look totally different in season four that would all qualify as both meta and lore-accurate based on the fifth novel. The first is that The Witcher is technically a multiverse story and Ciri can travel between them. Multiverse stories give writers incredible leeway to canonically explain anything and everything.

The second is that Ciri is powerful enough she can change reality and history simply by telling stories. By recounting her experiences—maybe to her new friends, the Rats—she could potentially alter Geralt’s actual face with no one on the Continent noticing, not even him. (Though she might need to get her recently renounced powers back to do so.)

The third is that The Lady in the Water is told by an unreliable narrator. In the book, that turns out to be Geralt himself. If the show adopts a similar approach he or the narrator of their choice could simply have described the witcher’s appearance incorrectly before, or might start to.

If the show plans to use any of those three reasons we won’t find out until season four when Geralt’s appearance actually changes. But the end of season three disproved some other fan theories while also raising more possibilities for how it will explain the shift.

What The Witcher Season Three Revealed About the Switch From Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth

Geralt’s defeat at the hands of Vilgefortz comes straight from the books. That encounter on the show left him and his face badly injured and Geralt at death’s door. But while some thought that showdown might be used to explain why Geralt will eventually look different (possibly via a resurrection), it did not lead to him getting a new face.

Neither did any of the many potions, medicine, spells, or other magic used on him. Geralt kept his original face right up until he vowed to get Ciri back from Emperor Emhyr during Henry Cavill’s final moments on the show. However, everything that followed his violent encounter with Vilgefortz hinted at other ways the show help explain Geralt’s new face when the series returns.

Why Could Geralt’s Injuries Result in Him Having a New Face?

Neither the sorceresses of Aretuza or Brokilon Forest could completely heal Geralt’s injuries. His wounds were too severe to save him from (what appeared to be) certain death. He could barely walk until he created his own potion, an inferior version of a strong concoction made by his mentor, the witcher Vesemir.

That substandard potion kept him alive for now. (And possibly long enough to allow his body to heal on its own.) But it could eventually explain why Geralt ends up with a new face. Potions and elixirs are an exact science. When you start playing around with the formula and ingredients it can lead to unintended consequences.

Also plausible is that the combination of his own potion, all the magic performed on him, and his injuries will transform his body entirely. That could mean a new face or even a scarred one that will need to be replaced or covered up. We’ve already seen that happen on the show. The now-deceased Lydia badly disfigured her face with a serum that contained Ciri’s powerful blood. She then needed magic to create the appearance of a normal face. Could something similar await Geralt?

No matter the specifics, his battle with Vilgefortz could ultimately explain Hemsworth’s arrival. Or it might not be nearly as complicated.

Will Jaskier Explain Away Geralt’s New Face With a Joke?

Joey Batey’s Jaskier is the closest thing The Witcher has to a self-aware character. He constantly points out the absurdity of situations and makes light of otherwise serious events. He did just that when Milva said he’ll turn Geralt’s death into a song. (He’ll get at least three songs out of it, thank you very much.) Was that foreshadowing of how the show will also explain away a new Geralt?

Whether a Jaskier joke about his friend looking different would qualify as book accurate is up for debate. But it would certainly qualify as meta. It will probably qualify as funny, too.

One thing is for certain, though: we’ll have to wait for season four to find out for sure. The Witcher‘s third season belonged entirely to Henry Cavill’s Geralt. The future alone belongs to Liam Hemsworth’s.

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It is almost that time. Volume 2 of The Witcher season three will release on July 27. And this time, concluding the season of The Witcher doesn’t just mean we’ll get to the end of another epic chapter. No, the conclusion of The Witcher season three comes with another ending; it marks the end of Henry Cavill’s time as Geralt on the show. Henry Cavill will leave the show after Volume 2 of The Witcher season three. And beginning with The Witcher season four, Liam Hemsworth will replace Cavill as Geralt. Of course, everyone is wondering how the show will handle Geralt, its main character, changing actors. Will it acknowledge or ignore? The truth is, we can’t know yet. But the trailer for Volume 2 of The Witcher season three certainly teases there could be an ending of sorts for Geralt as we know him.

Take a look at The Witcher trailer below.

“There’s no coming back from this,” Geralt whispers as the trailer draws to a close. And for Henry Cavill’s Geralt, there certainly won’t be any coming back from this. But the question of the character is more complicated. Meanwhile, aside from the meta dramas brewing, war looms inevitable in the world of The Witcher, as it always does. And the forces of evil are relentlessly hunting Ciri. There’s fire, blood, and a lot of fighting in the Volume two trailer for The Witcher season three.

Of course, if evil wants Ciri, they’ll have to get through her powerful family. And Jaskier promises that the war is nothing compared to what Geralt would unleash to protect his daughter. A fact we fully believe. We can’t wait to see how all of The Witcher season three threads come together in its last episodes.

The logline for The Witcher season three shares:

As monarchs, mages, and beasts of the Continent compete to capture her, Geralt takes Ciri into hiding, determined to protect his newly-reunited family against those who threaten to destroy it. Entrusted with Ciri’s magical training, Yennefer leads them to the protected fortress of Aretuza, where they hope to uncover more about the girl’s untapped powers; instead, they discover they’ve landed in a battlefield of political corruption, dark magic, and treachery. They must fight back, put everything on the line – or risk losing each other forever.

Henry Cavill’s last turn as Geralt is almost here. The Witcher season three will release Volume 2, episodes six-eight, on July 27.

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The Witcher‘s third season packed a whole lot of intrigue into its first five episodes. From secret villains and covert political scheming, to the all-out hunt for Ciri and a horrifying monster made of kidnapped girls, it’s impossible to know what most people even want let alone who (if anyone) to trust. With the show giving us more questions than answers, these are the biggest The Witcher has to answer in the second half of season three.

Who Is the Mysterious Mage Lydia Works for? Who Is the Real Villain Inside the Brotherhood?

Geralt and Yennefer thought Stregobor was the mysterious mage Lydia (and indirectly Rience) is working for. Then they realized it was actually Vilgefortz behind everything. But are they right this time?

There’s plenty of reason to think Tissaia is ultimately behind everything. She might be the powerful mage overseeing the creation of dark portals, hunting down Ciri, working with Nilfgaard, turning half elven apprentices into a horrible monster, and trying to kill Yennefer.

Why Doesn’t Nilfgaard Know About Rience?

Lydia represented Nilfgaard at a meeting in Redania. According to Philippa, though, Nilfgaard knows nothing about Rience, the fire mage hunting Ciri down on behalf of Lydia’s secret boss. How is that possible when Lydia’s lord is working “with” Nilfgaard, not “for” the kingdom?

Why is the mystery mage working with Nilfgaard keeping Rience a secret from their collaborators? How will their goals eventually split from that of Emperor Emhyr, who is also seeking his daughter Ciri?

What Is Rience’s New Demand for Lydia’s Mysterious Boss?

Someone has Rience on a “leash,” but he has demands of his own. He wants something from Lydia’s boss, whom he still has yet to meet. What is his new demand? And what will it mean for everyone involved in this complex scheme?

What Did Dijkstra and Philippa Attack Aretuza in The Witcher?

Dijkstra and Philippa have big plans for themselves and Redania. They also had big plans for the conclave, and they seemed to come to fruition during episode five’s final moments. Screams from the Great Hall indicated an attack was underway moments before Dijkstra put a knife at Geralt’s throat.

We know the spy master wants Ciri to marry King Vizimir and strengthen Redania’s status in both the North and the Continent. We also know he’s aware of traitors in the Brotherhood who are already working with Nilfgaard, which hopes to conquer the whole world. But what exactly do Dijkstra and Philippa have planned in Aretuza? Why risk so much around so many dangerous people? Who are they after specifically and what do they hope to achieve with this attack when an alliance of Northern kingdoms seem so close?

Who Killed Dijkstra’s Messenger and Why?

Part of Dijkstra’s plan involved having a navy of reinforcements arrive at Aretuza for the conclave. Except his messenger Aplegatt never delivered that order. Someone killed him with an arrow on his journey. Who shot Applegatt is a big question that The Witcher Volume 2 needs to answer. We need to know why. Meanwhile, what will Aplegatt’s death mean for Dijkstra’s attack? And why were boats already disappearing along the coast before all of this?

What Does Philippa Know About the Brotherhood? What Happened Between Philippa and Tissaia?

Philippa told Yennefer the Brotherhood is a “sinking ship,” but that the two of them are different. She also had a falling out with Tissaia, whom she was once very close with. What happened with Philippa and her former mentor? Why does she think the Brotherhood is doomed? And what does all of this have to do with her and Dijkstra’s own plan?

What Is Emhyr’s Plan?

The White Flame revealed how he took back his kingdom of Nilfgaard years ago, but not why he failed to return to his daughter Ciri. Why did he let Ciri believe he is dead? And why conquer entire kingdoms to get her back?

Emhyr wants his daughter. He burned away all memories of his past life except her. But his grand plans and goals remain total mysteries.

What Is Radovid Planning?

Prince Radovid only acts like a fool so others underestimate him, but he’s more than capable of scheming his way around the royal court. But why the ruse? What does he have planned for himself? Is he working for or against his brother? What does he actually want? (Besides Jaskier, that is.) Maybe we will find out the answer to these questions in The Witcher‘s next volume.

Why Did the Mysterious Mage Make a Monster From Young Girls?

It’s one thing to hate elves and human kids with elf blood. It’s another to kidnap them and turn them into a chimera-like monster. Why did Lydia, Rience, and the mysterious mage do that? Was it simple cruelty? Or was it something else related to their plans for Ciri? We don’t want to think about those poor girls’ heads pleading for their life, but there’s so much we don’t know about why they were made to suffer.

What Was the Secret Mage’s Plan for Teryn?

The only kidnapped student we know survived their ordeal was Teryn. Instead someone with immense power used an ancient elven spell to give her Ciri’s memories. Geralt said the secret mage wants to manipulate Ciri, but how did Teryn factor into those plans? Was she meant to die so the Northern kingdoms would be satiated? To fool Nilfgaard into thinking she’s the real Ciri? Why bother making a fake Ciri?

Is Geralt’s Mother Really Dead?

Geralt’s mother Visenna appeared and cared for him during his illness in season one. That did not end his pain over her sending him to Kaer Morhen, as she did not provide him any answers as to why. It now seems he’ll never get a chance to hear her explain why she did after her friend revealed Visenna died a year ago. But did she really? We didn’t see her die, and she is a sorceress. She could have faked her own death or simply asked her friend to lie for her. If she did, though, we have no idea why. The questions list for this next installment of The Witcher continues to grow.

What Are Fringilla’s Plans Now?

Fringilla escaped a lifetime of imprisonment tasting Emhry’s wine for poison and went straight to carousing at a tavern. But her ears perked up when she heard about those missing boats along the coast. Why does she care about that? Did she kill Aplegatt? And where will she go now that Nilfgaard is no longer home and she turned her back on Aretuza? Fringilla is smart, talented, dangerous, and on her own, so what comes next for her?

What’s the “Ambitious” Mission Emhyr Sent Cahir on with Francesca?

Now that he proved his loyalty to Emhyr by killing his friend Gallatin, Cahir is back in the Emperor’s good graces. That’s why Emhyr entrusted Cahir to embark on a mission the general called “ambitious.” It involved recruiting Francesca and her elven forces to join Nilfgaard’s war. She agreed to do so after seeking the secret mission Emhry sent with Cahir. What is that mission? The answer could have huge ramifications for every elf and human alike.

Why Does Cahir Keep Seeing Visions of Ciri?

Cahir keeps seeing visions of Ciri, both in his dreams and in reality. He thinks it means Ciri wants him to find her, but that seems unlikely. So why do they keep happening? Is is because he’s heard her scream and witnessed her power? Is she simply his obsession? Guilt over failing her father? Or is something more important going on? Visions are no small matter in a world of magic, especially for someone so prominently involved in Ciri’s life.

Why Did the Wild Hunt Only Show Up Briefly?

If Ciri left open a door between her world and The Wild Hunt’s, why aren’t they already taking over the Continent? Why did they only appear briefly in this world to tell Ciri she is “death itself?” What do they ultimately want, both from her and for themselves? And what are they waiting for?

We might not get answers to all these questions when the second half of The Witcher season three debuts on July 27, but we know we’ll definitely get some of them. And they’ll change the Continent forever.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at  @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Part one of The Witcher‘s third season saw the Continent’s most powerful figures hunting down Ciri. However, Geralt and Yennefer did some hunting of their own, too. Rience the fire mage and Lydia the telepath are just pawns in a bigger game of villains on The Witcher. They’re working for a far more dangerous sorcerer. The White Wolf and Yennefer thought they knew who that was. But in the show’s fifth episode, Geralt realized they’d been targeting the wrong member of the Brotherhood. Who did they think the dangerous mysterious mage was, and who did it turn out to be?

Those might not even be the right questions to ask. The Witcher season three’s true villain and mysterious mage might be hiding in plain sight. So let us examine all the candidates and determine who the ultimate villain of The Witcher is at the end of Volume One.

Why Did Geralt Think Stregobor Was the Secret Villain During The Witcher Season 3?

Rience is hunting down Princess Cirilla of Cintra on behalf of the sorceress Lydia. Rience does not know who the silent Lydia is working for. But her boss is a member of the Brotherhood who is far more powerful than either of them.

This mysterious villain has been opening dark, untraceable portals that are unlike any other on The Witcher. They’ve also been kidnapping half-elven girls from Aretuza and using them as part of monstrous experiments. One was even made to believe she is Ciri via ancient elven sorcery. (Such a spell would take many lifetimes to learn.) This shadowy mage wants to manipulate Ciri for their own goal. Istredd believes that goal is to banish all elves from the Continent. They would be able to do that via the Book of Monoliths they stole before Istredd could. Or they could do it by using Ciri, who can herself open doors to other worlds.

This secret mage also used an illusion of Geralt to try and kill Yennefer when they sent her through a dark portal to the edge of a cliff. (The very same stalactite from that oceanside cliff ultimately led Istredd and Triss to locate the missing book.)

The one member of the Brotherhood who hates both elves and Yennefer is Stregobor. He’s a very old, very powerful mage who has a history experimenting on young girls. When Istredd found the Book of Monoliths in Stregobor’s safe (along with a laughable amount of incriminating evidence related to the missing apprentices), it all but confirmed Stregobor’s guilt on The Witcher and his title of ultimate villain.

Except, Geralt and Yennefer realize Stregobor was but a patsy for a greater evil, the mage they now believe is truly behind everything.

Who Is The Witcher Season 3’s Villain According to Volume One?

At the pre-conclave ball, Philippa warned Yennefer the Brotherhood is a sinking ship and that the two of them aren’t like the other mages. Philippa also said Tissaia—whom she was once very close with—is in danger of being “in love with the poison that kills you slowly,” same as Lydia. And she tried to alert Yennefer about the traitors in the Brotherhood who are already working with Nilfgaard, which we know the mysterious mage is doing thanks to an earlier conversation Lydia had with Rience.

Only, none of the accusations made against Stregobor involved Nilfgaard in any way. (Plus, Nilfgaard has not only been relying on elves and keeping them safe, Emperor Emhyr’s daughter Ciri has Elder Blood. He wouldn’t want Ciri sent away.) And there was no obvious reason for Philippa to bring up Lydia in the context of Tissaia. So why did she?

That mystery made Geralt recall that Lydia’s earrings at the ball matched the bracelet Vilgefortz gave Tissaia as “protection.” Each is made of scarlet ammonite, which is only found in the mines of West Redania. That’s where Geralt found Rience’s secret hiding place and those poor girls.

The Witcher and Yennefer then also realized “The First Landing”—Vilgefortz’s favorite painting about the event that led to the Brotherhood’s founding—showed the same location the mysterious mage sent Yennefer to die. That is also located in West Redania. Combined with the fact that Vilgefortz told Geralt about “the battle to come” despite speaking of peace all night, and the two came to the same conclusion: Stregobor isn’t Lydia’s employer. Vilgefortz, the person who assured Yennefer of safe portal passage, is. There we have it; according to volume one, the villain of The Witcher season three is Vilgefortz.

But that doesn’t mean he’s ultimately the mage Geralt and Yennefer are looking for. There’s reason to believe someone is pulling his strings. So then, who is the true evil villain of The Witcher season three? Here’s how the story unfolds.

Why Tissaia Is the Real Villain of The Witcher Season 3

During the ball, the Valdo Marx’s troupe sang “All Is Not As It Seems.” That song foreshadowed Geralt and Yennefer’s secret plan. But the group might have been right in ways the show has yet to reveal, because the real villain probably isn’t Vilgefortz. No, it seems the real villain of The Witcher is the woman he loves and trusts, Tissaia.

Long before the conclave, Yennefer wouldn’t rule out the possibility the rogue mage they were seeking on The Witcher was a woman. She also described her mentor Tissaia as someone who knows “everything” and “one of the most powerful sorcerers” on the Continent. And Tissaia’s failure to fulfill her promise to the North’s monarchs that she’d find and kill Ciri has only splintered those kingdoms further, making them more vulnerable to Nilfgaard. Not that Tissaia actually wanted to kill Ciri to unite the North. Tissaia scolded Yennefer for thinking her goals were “so basic.”

Against Philippa’s advice, Tissaia was also the one who encouraged Yennefer to unleash her chaos at the Battle of Sodden Hill, which robbed Yennefer of her magical powers for a time. Tissaia knew there would be huge ramifications for Yennefer when she performed those actions on The Witcher, indeed villainous behavior. Tissaia was also the one who taught Yen that magic always has a source, and fire magic’s source is the person themselves. Teryn, the kidnapped apprentice from Aretuza made to believe she is Ciri, also echoed those words during her ranting. She repeated, “Always a source.” Why did Tissaia have someone she cares about so much risk everything just to win a single battle in a war that will not be ending anytime soon?

Tissaia also showed no concern for Teryn and her other missing students. When Triss warned Tissaia about the blood in the lost girls’ chambers, Tissaia brushed it aside and said there was nothing to worry about. Tissaia turns her failed apprentices into eels to power Aretuza’s magic, so she isn’t afraid to use kids for her own needs. But until then, she looks after them to see what kind of promise they show. It’s why she engenders such respect and admiration from her successful students, like Yennfer.

In some ways, that’s how Tissaia manipulates the sorceresses she once mentored, something we saw on display when she first met Ciri. She demanded Ciri stare at her just as she had once done with a young Yennefer. And the mysterious mage also seeks to manipulate the Princess for her own goals.

What are the shadowy, older, powerful mage’s goals exactly? And why are they working “with” Nilfgaard and not “for” it? We don’t yet know, but they involve the Book of Monoliths. Tissaia was all too happy to take it from Stregobor for “safe keeping” lest it end up in “the wrong hands again.” The secret mage’s plans also involve Ciri, who Tissaia is ready to welcome at Aretuza.

All circumstantial evidence, yes, but a mountain of it. Far too much to ignore, especially when you rewatch that performance of “All Is Not As It Seems.”

It spoke of a beautiful maid who becomes a beast with sharp fangs at night. And who did Valdo just happen to walk by and smile at when he sang those lyrics? Tissaia de Vries, the woman who knows everything. She’s the beautiful mage Vilgefortz worships on The Witcher. The woman who used the victory of Sodden Hill to help the two of them take leadership over the Brotherhood. The sorceress who has long seen how little the mages can control the squabbling kingdoms of the North all while she has controlled the young women entrusted to her.

Vilgefortz might be as guilty as Geralt and Yennefer believe him to be. He probably is. But that doesn’t mean he’s the villain and mage they’re looking for on The Witcher. He might be just another puppet, same as Rience and Lydia, under Tissaia’s control.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at  @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Henry Cavill is leaving The Witcher, but his time on the Continent isn’t over just yet. The show’s third season will mark his final time playing Geralt of Rivia. The show’s creator describes his exit as an “heroic sendoff” for him. What awaits him, Ciri, and Yennefer as they traverse a world of monsters, men, and mages? And who will bring their story to life on Netflix?

Here’s everything we know about The Witcher season three so far.

The Witcher Season 3 Plot

Netflix shared an official synopsis for The Witcher‘s third season when production began in early April 2022. Here’s how the streaming site describes what awaits its main characters:

As monarchs, mages, and beasts of the Continent compete to capture her, Geralt takes Ciri of Cintra into hiding, determined to protect his newly-reunited family against those who threaten to destroy it. Entrusted with Ciri’s magical training, Yennefer leads them to the protected fortress of Aretuza, where she hopes to discover more about the girl’s untapped powers; instead, they discover they’ve landed in a battlefield of political corruption, dark magic, and treachery. They must fight back, put everything on the line – or risk losing each other forever.

Recently, we also got our first good look at Henry Cavill’s final season of the show. We wonder how this farewell will go. For now, everything is looking very intense.

Entertainment Weekly also revealed season three would bring viewers to an important locale book readers have long waited to visit: Shaerrawedd. Showrunner Lauren Hissrich says the ruined elven castle is “one of the biggest” sets ever created for the show. She has also said this year is the closest one-to-one adaptation of a book the series has done yet. It will remain close to the events in author Andrzej Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt.

The prequel mini-series Blood Origin revealed important information from the past that completely reframed The Witcher. And Netflix gave fans the episode titles for season three, volume one of The Witcher. The first volume will consist of five episodes. The titles of these episodes are Shaerrawedd, Unbound, Reunion, The Invitation, and The Art of Illusion. We can’t wait to more fully learn what each of these episodes has in store for us and what their titles truly mean.

pic.twitter.com/4qipwIHoV6

— The Witcher (@witchernetflix) June 15, 2023

Behind the Scenes

Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich also serves as an executive producer alongside Tomek Baginski, Jason F. Brown, Sean Daniel, Mike Ostrowski, Steve Gaub, and Jarosław Sawko. 

Stephen Surjik, Gandja Monteiro, Loni Peristere, and Bola Ogun will handle directing duties. Episode writers include Mike Ostrowski, Tania Lotia, Haily Hall, Rae Benjamin, Clare Higgins, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Matthew D’Ambrosio, and Troy Dangerfield.

The Witcher Season 3 Cast

In addition to returning stars like Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Joey Batey, season three will also introduce new faces to the Continent. That includes Robbie Amell as Gallatin, Meng’er Zhang as Milva, Hugh Skinner as Prince Radovid, and Christelle Elwin as Mistle. Netflix also shared information about each character:

• A born fighter, Gallatin leads an army of guerrilla Scoia’tael fighting on behalf of Nilfgaard. Unafraid to speak his truth, Gallatin’s loyalty to his people ultimately leads him on a collision course with Francesca over power.
• A human adopted by the dryads of Brokilon Forest, Milva is a fierce and talented huntress. Exact archery skills coupled with a stone-cold aptitude for survival make her a formidable adversary in the unforgiving Continent – those that cross her, do so at their peril.
• Royal playboy and younger brother to King Vizimir, Radovid finds himself suddenly a man on the inside of the Redanian Intelligence. With his good looks and drunken charm, Radovid amazes with how incisive he can be in political affairs, but it’s all games until someone gets hurt.
• Mistle is a member of The Rats, a gang of misfit teenagers who steal from the rich and give to themselves – and sometimes the poor. She is street hard, suspicious of everyone and out for revenge, until a chance meeting that will change everything.

The show will also mark the return of cast members MyAnna Buring, Tom Canton, Jeremy Crawford, Eamon Farren, Mahesh Jadu, Terence Maynard, Lars Mikkelsen, Mimî M Khayisa, Royce Pierreson, Wilson Mbomio, Anna Shaffer, Therica Wilson-Read, Cassie Clare, Mecia Simson, Graham McTavish, Bart Edwards, Simon Callow, Liz Carr, Ed Birch, and Kaine Zajaz.

The Witcher Season 3 Release Date

The show will return during the summer 2023. But it won’t return the same way as usual. Like Stranger Things 4, The Witcher season three will return in two parts. Volume 1 will include episodes 1-5 and will release on June 29. Meanwhile, Volume 2 will include episodes 6-8 and will arrive on July 27.

Originally published in 2022.

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Netflix’s The Witcher is a sprawling land of monsters, magic, mayhem, and political machinations. With so much going on it’s a lot to keep track of. But like a charming bard, we’re here to help get you ready for the show’s third year. (No, sorry, not in song form.) Here’s everything you need to remember about The Witcher season two, along with a few other things to know.

Before you start, though, make sure you read Everything You Need To Remember From Season One. Players and events from the show’s first year are guaranteed to have major implications during its third.

IMPORTANT CHARACTERS AND EVENTS

Geralt

Geralt brought Ciri to Kaer Morhen, the witchers’ home and training grounds, to keep her safe. When he realized more deadly monsters had suddenly appeared on the Continent he set out to learn why. Together with the mage Istredd, Geralt discovered Ciri had opened doors to other worlds when she destroyed a monolith with her deadly scream in season one.

(The Blood Origin prequel mini-series explained where those ancient, powerful monoliths came from. You can read about that and all the other major connections between the two shows here.)

Geralt nearly executed Yennefer because she betrayed him and Ciri. Yennefer was going to hand Ciri over to a demon witch (the Deathless Mother) in exchange for getting her powers back. He didn’t forgive Yennefer, but ultimately left Kaer Morhen with her and Ciri to go into hiding.

Yennefer

After unleashing her “chaos” (an ocean of fire) to win the Battle of Sodden Hill, a presumed dead Yennefer lost her magic. She was also initially a prisoner of Nilfgaard before being taken by elves. When she returned to Aretuza, though, the Brotherhood branded her a spy instead of a hero. To prove her loyalty she was ordered to behead the captured Nilfgaard general, Cahir. Instead she ran off with him in front of an audience of Northern kings.

Yennefer, herself part elf, redeemed herself in season two’s finale. She was willing to sacrifice herself to save the possessed Ciri from the killer witch. Yennefer then ended the season with her powers back.

Ciri, Princess of Cintra

In addition to possessing magical abilities, Ciri also has Elder blood. Her blood is different from others who also have elvish ancestors. It can grow life, but a single drop can also be very dangerous. It’s also possible it can be used to create more witchers, which Ciri herself began training to become. (Witcher mutagen hasn’t been made since Geralt was a kid, as explored in the animated prequel movie Nightmare of the Wolf.)

Some believe Ciri is the prophesied Child of Elder Blood who will save all elves. Others fear she will bring about the end of the world.

Jaskier

“The Sandpiper” was helping smuggle elves to freedom when he encountered Yennefer and Cahir on the run. He aided them, only to then need Yen to save him from the fire-wielding mage Rience. Jaskier also reunited with his old friend Geralt, who broke Jaskier out of prison. He’s one of the few people the White Wolf trusts to help keep Ciri safe.

Jaskier still sings on occasion, too.

Cahir

After making his way back to Nilfgaard, Cahir once again worked with the mage Fringilla to try and expand the White Flame’s stead. But despite his loyal service, Cahir was imprisoned along with Fringilla after the Emperor caught them lying.

Fringilla

The captured Fringilla forged an alliance with the elves’ new leader, Francesca, after the two were lured in by the Deathless Mother’s promises. Fringilla offered a home and safety for all elves in exchange for their army.

Emperor Emhyr

The mysterious White Flame, the Emperor of Nilfgaard desperately seeking Ciri and hoping to conquer the entire Continent, finally revealed himself. He is Ciri’s father “Duny,” long thought dead. He was the porcupine knight Geralt saved decades earlier, which prompted Geralt to claim the Law of Surprise that ended up being Ciri.

Emhyr knew Cahir and Francesca lied to him about ordering the death of Francesca’s baby because he was the one who had it killed.

Francesca

The new elven leader found her people refuge in the Nilfgaard-controlled Xin’trea (aka Cintra, Ciri’s home). That’s also where the sorceress gave birth to the first elf child in generations, just as the Deathless Mother promised. But tragedy struck after Francesca said her soldiers would not fight Nilfgaard’s war for them. Her and Filavandrel (the former elf leader) found their baby murdered. They blamed the Northern kingdom of Redania, returned their people to the woods, and swore vengeance.

Francesca learned from the elf-friendly mage Istredd about the prophecy of Ciri, which is why she’s so desperate to find the powerful princess. She believes Ciri is the ultimate weapon to help elves defeat humans.

Tissaia

Yennefer’s mentor tortured Cahir during his imprisonment at Aretuza. During season two Tissaia also took leadership over the Brotherhood of Sorcerers along with her lover, the militaristic mage Vilgefortz.

Tissaia also alerted the Northern kingdoms about Ciri and Geralt, putting a target on the Princess they all thought dead.

Vilgefortz

Tissaia convinced Yennefer, the real hero of Sodden Hill, to let Vilgefortz take credit for the victory for political reasons. That helped him take control of the Brotherhood along with Tissaia. He also believes Ciri has the ability to end all war forever.

Triss

After surviving severe wounds at Sodden Hill, Triss answered Geralt’s call to come to Kaer Morhen and train Ciri in magic. (He did not answer her call to spend the night together, though.) Triss left the keep in fear after reading Ciri’s mind and almost dying during Ciri’s attack while in a trance.

Triss returned to Aretuza and informed Tissaia that Ciri has the power to either destroy the entire world or save it, but grew angry when Tissaia shared that news with Vilgefortz.

Istredd

Yennefer’s former lover remains committed to studying monoliths. He also worked to help elves leave Cintra.

Stregobor

He lost his seat of power on the Brotherhood along with his closest ally Artorius, but the untrustworthy Istredd remains a powerful and dangerous force among sorcerers.

Philippa

The mage of Redania can shape-shift into an owl and works intimately with the kingdom’s chief spy Dijkstra.

Dijkstra

The closest advisor to the unimpressive but ambitious King Vizimir II of the northern kingdom Redania alerted the Brotherhood about Francesca’s baby. He also wants to find Ciri so she can marry Vizimir. He could then claim Cintra and lead the Continent’s most powerful kingdom.

Dijkstra also ordered Phillipa to find “the Bard” so Jaskier could pay back his “benefactor,” as Dijkstra was the one funding Jaskier’s efforts to save elves.

Dara

The elf who once helped Ciri escape Nilfgaard’s clutches worked as a spy in Redania for Dijkstra. He confessed to Francesca after her baby’s murder and she accepted Dara into her service.

Rience

The deadly, fire-wielding mage who’d been a prisoner of Queen Calanthe of Cintra was freed by the sorceress Lydia. She tasked him with locating Ciri for her unknown boss. He didn’t manage to take the Princess, but he did steal a vial of witcher mutagen containing Ciri’s dangerous blood from Kaer Morhen.

Lydia

The mage badly disfigured her own face while examining the vial she got from Rience. She now speaks through telepathy. Lydia is still trying to make her mysterious employer happy by getting Ciri.

The Wild Hunt

Some believe the Wild Hunt will usher in the end of days. Ciri then encountered the ghastly group of mystical black riders on the home world of the Deathless Mother. (The witch also rejoined the group once she left Yennefer’s body.) The Wild Hunt called out to Ciri, “the starry-eyed Daughter of Chaos” to take her place with them before Ciri portaled her, Geralt, and Yennefer back to the Continent.

Blood Origin revealed the Wild Hunt consists of soldiers from the Continent abandoned on that desolate world.

Now that you know everything you need to from season two, you can get ready for season three. Here’s what you need to do that. Once you’re all caught up we’ll see on the Continent. We won’t be the ones singing.

The Witcher Readies For All-Out War In Tense Season 3 Trailer
Everything We Know About The Witcher Season 3
The Witcher Shares Epic Season 3 Trailer, Images, And Release Date
The Witcher Showrunner Explains Why Series Will Continue Without Henry Cavill

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The Continent might be full of literal monsters, but those terrifying creatures are not the ones Ciri needs to worry about in The Witcher‘s third season. The Princess of Cintra’s greatest enemies are humans, mages, and elves. And they are everywhere, as everyone and every group seeks to control Ciri’s awesome power. With Geralt of Rivia determined to keep her safe, that will surely lead to some incredible showdowns during Henry Cavill’s last year on the show. But we don’t have to wait for the season to debut to see just how epic they will be. Netflix has released a new scene from The Witcher that shows a magical showdown turning into an all-out war.

Netflix’s yearly TUDUM celebration is back, and among its many goodies was an action-packed moment from our favorite land of magic and monsters. Season two’s fire-wielding mage Rience is back and hunting down Ciri. (Who isn’t!) But as this clip reveals, she’s no damsel in distress. Ciri can more than hold her own in a fight thanks to Geralt’s training.

It’s still nice to have friends, though. Especially when they’re as powerful as Yennefer of Vengerberg and the White Wolf. It’s also good they have friends, as this battle goes from a small affair into a big one fought across multiple locales by multiple groups.

This is our best look yet at the show’s third season. But to find out how this battle ends, we’ll need to wait for The Witcher to return to Netflix. We’ll rejoin the White Wolf and his new family for season three’s first five episodes on June 29. We’ll then have to wait even longer to see how it all ends. The final three episodes will follow on July 27. That is unless someone opens a portal that brings us to a world where season three is already available in its entirety.

Know any mages who can do that? (Preferably ones who don’t use fire magic.)

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Henry Cavill is leaving the Continent, but not before he has one more adventure with Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Joey Batey. The Witcher‘s third season will be the final time the show’s stars perform together on the fantasy series. That will make for a bittersweet installment, but based on Netflix’s latest trailer their swan song might also be their best. Monsters and magic are just two of the many problems this complicated family will face. Everyone and everything is out to find Ciri, and neutrality is no longer an option for the man sworn to protect her.

That might be the best trailer in show history, which is really saying something because The Witcher promos always deliver. From Ciri’s father and his deadly army, to rogue mages and the Wild Hunt, this latest look at season three shows why the Continent has never been more dangerous. (Though there’s always still time for at least some fancy clothes and dancing.)

That’s why it will be important for Geralt and Yennefer to do more than just protect the most powerful person in the world. They need to teach young Ciri how to fight for herself. Here’s season three’s official synopsis from Netflix:

As monarchs, mages, and beasts of the Continent compete to capture her, Geralt takes Ciri of Cintra into hiding, determined to protect his newly-reunited family against those who threaten to destroy it. Entrusted with Ciri’s magical training, Yennefer leads them to the protected fortress of Aretuza, where she hopes to discover more about the girl’s untapped powers; instead, they discover they’ve landed in a battlefield of political corruption, dark magic, and treachery. They must fight back, put everything on the line — or risk losing each other forever. 

In addition to its returning stars, season three will also feature newcomers. Robbie Amell, Meng’er Zhang, Hugh Skinner, and Christelle Elwin are joining the show. You can learn more about who they’re playing here.)

After a trailer this good we’re glad we don’t have to wait long to watch the actual show. The Witcher‘s first five new episodes arrive at Netflix on June 29. The last three, and the end of Henry Cavill’s time in the Continent, will follow on July 27. It will be a bittersweet farewell, but it also should be an incredibly entertaining one, too.

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Are you starting to get the feeling people really love visiting the Continent? Yeah, us too! There aren’t many mediums left for Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy world of magic and monsters to conqueror. First it was a successful book series, then a wildly popular video game franchise, and now it’s a hit Netflix show. But just in case you needed anymore proof fans can’t get enough of Geralt of Rivia, CD Projekt RED has provided some irrefutable hard numbers. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt just crossed the 50 million copies sold threshold, making it one of the most successful games ever.

The third—and best—Witcher video game is now in some rarified air. First released in May of 2015 and rereleased in December of 2022, the studio behind the Wild Hunt announced during an earnings report call that the game has sold more than 50 million copies. That would place it in the top ten games of all-time. That’s more than Super Mario Bros. and roughly around the same number as Red Dead Redemption 2.

What makes the highly-rated The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt‘s sales number especially impressive is its staying power. Part of that longterm success is partly due to the ’22 rerelease and the Netflix series, but that’s just a small part of the reason. The biggest belongs to to the game itself, which provides a robust open world experience. (And sure, the playable hanky panky doesn’t hurt, either.) That’s why Wild Hunt‘s popularity transcends the rest of the franchise. According to CD Projekt RED’s own announcement, the first two installments have sold “only” 25 million copies combined. Clearly the third game stands on its own merits.

With success like that we’re tempted to wish good luck to the the fourth installment when it finally hits stores some day. But we doubt it will need any. People really can’t get enough of the Continent. And that’s before you factor in all those Wild Hunt replays they get to do for free.

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Netflix’s latest preview of the The Witcher‘s upcoming third season says the show’s next installment will focus on its newfound family. When viewers return to the Continent they’ll find Geralt, Yennefer, Ciri, and “Uncle” Jaskier are a unit—one that will face dangers they’ve never encountered before. But off-screen The Witcher family is splitting up. Season three will also be Henry Cavill’s last. It won’t be Geralt of Rivia’s, though. Liam Hemsworth will pick up the White Wolf’s mantle when the show comes back for future years.

With its wildly popular star leaving, why not simply end the show entirely rather than try and replace him? Or at least kill off Geralt and replace him with another witcher entirely? Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has provided a very good reason for fans wondering why they opted to recast the role: Geralt’s story is far from over.

GamesRadar shared Total Film‘s exclusive interview with The Witcher‘s Hissrich. In it she addressed the obvious questions raised by replacing Cavill with The Hunger Games’ Hemsworth. After saying everyone on the show has “been mourning” Cavill’s departure in their “own way,” she explained why they opted to not only keep going without him but why they’re keeping Geralt around. “There’s just too many stories left to tell,” she said.

But why not tell those stories with a different witcher entirely so your new star doesn’t have to live up to the old one? “If we replaced Geralt with another witcher, we would be going fully away from the books,” she said. “And I don’t think that’s what anyone wanted either.”

While she acknowledges Hemsworth has some pretty big monster-killing shoes to fill, she says he’s up for the challenge. As are the rest of the people who make the show. Hissrich says because they love The Witcher they’re “gonna keep going.”

We bet that’s what Geralt would want, too. Every Geralt.

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Henry Cavill’s departure from The Witcher will loom over the show’s third season. How could it not? He’s the witcher in the title and a huge star. More importantly, he’s been a tremendous Geralt of Rivia. But that’s exactly why we plan to enjoy his final year with the show rather than focus on his exit. If The Witcher season three’s first trailer is any indication, that will be easy to do. Because before Cavill departs the Continent forever he has a new family to keep safe. He’ll just have to do that while understanding real fear for the first time in his life.

For a short teaser that reveals so little this still pacts quite a punch. The dread and dangers that hangs over Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri is palpable. (The Wild Hunt has that effect.)

This The Witcher trailer is also our first look at Shaerrawedd. That’s a location book readers have been waiting for the show to visit and it looks like the wait will be more than worth it. But what else is going on? Here’s The Witcher‘s official season three synopsis from Netflix:

As monarchs, mages, and beasts of the Continent compete to capture her, Geralt takes Ciri of Cintra into hiding, determined to protect his newly-reunited family against those who threaten to destroy it. Entrusted with Ciri’s magical training, Yennefer leads them to the protected fortress of Aretuza, where she hopes to discover more about the girl’s untapped powers; instead, they discover they’ve landed in a battlefield of political corruption, dark magic, and treachery. They must fight back, put everything on the line — or risk losing each other forever. 

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In addition to Cavill, season three will also mark the return of Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Joey Batey. Also joining them once again are: MyAnna Buring, Tom Canton, Jeremy Crawford, Eamon Farren, Mahesh Jadu, Terence Maynard, Lars Mikkelsen, Mimî M Khayisa, Royce Pierreson, Wilson Mbomio, Anna Shaffer, Therica Wilson-Read, Cassie Clare, Mecia Simson, Graham McTavish, Bart Edwards, Simon Callow, Liz Carr, Ed Birch, and Kaine Zajaz.

Robbie Amell, Meng’er Zhang, Hugh Skinner, and Christelle Elwin will also get in on the magic and monsters fun this season. Learn more about who they’re playing.

The Witcher season three will air in two parts. Volume 1 with episodes one-five premieres on June 29. Volume 2 with episodes six-eight premieres on July 27.

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The Witcher is here. Geralt of Rivia himself, famed monster slayer and hero of The Witcher universe, has arrived on Fortnite as part of the Chapter 4 Season 1 Gaming Legends Series. Players can now officially unlock the character. So if you feel restless because you’re out of The Witcher games to play and you’ve rewatched all of Netflix’s The Witcher series available so far, this is the perfect gift for you.

Alongside Geralt’s outfit, Fortnite is offering all kinds of The Witcher-themed goodies. These include the Igni Sign Emote, the Steel Sword Pickaxe, and “Weapons of the Witcher Back Bling.” (That just sounds like a lot of fun.) These can all be unlocked by completing in-game quests.

In addition, all players can attend Fortnite’s School of Llama. There they can train to become a witcher and earn in-game rewards. These challenges contain four paths that feature trails and community-created challenge maps. All of the above draw inspiration from “witcher signs and iconic Witcher-world locations.” The School of Llama challenges will also allow players to unlock more witchery rewards. Path 1 of the School of Llama training is available to play. Paths 2, 3, and 4 will unlock on February 14, 21, and 28, respectively.

So get ready. The time has come for you to become a witcher.

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The Witcher: Blood Origin took viewers back 1,200 years to the moment that changed the Continent forever. But the Conjunction of the Spheres wasn’t the only major event to take place during that era. The prequel mini-series introduced the first prototype witcher, the origins of the Wild Hunt, Chaos magic, and the start of a new bloodline. All of these Blood Origin reveals and more will have huge ramifications for the main Witcher series. With so much going on, though, you might have needed a time-traveling mage to explain everything to you. But we can do it, too. Here’s everything we learned from Blood Origin and what it means for The Witcher.

The Conjunction of the Spheres in The Witcher Universe Brings Men and Monsters to the Continent

In The Witcher: Blood Origin, we learn that the cataclysm which brought both humans and monsters to the Continent was not a natural event. But how did the Conjunction of the Spheres come to be? It happened when the mage Syndril connected both himself and the Chief Sage Balor—imbued with chaos magic—to the main dwarf monolith in Xin’trea. It was the only way Syndril could stop Balor and close the portals between worlds.

Syndril’s plan worked, but the resulting energy blast “shattered” space and time itself. That caused the “fragile veils” between those worlds to open for a moment. The violent cosmic event caused planes of existence, and even night and day, to attack each other. The Conjunction of the Spheres ended with a reseeding of The Witcher‘s Continent, as confused humans and terrifying creatures from other dimensions arrived.

The Witcher: Blood Origin Introduces the First Prototype Witcher

One monster already called the Continent home before the Conjunction of the Spheres. Balor controlled a giant flying leviathan from another world. The beast could instantly turn elves into bloody mists. With no one strong enough to stop it, Fjall Stoneheart underwent a painful transformation led by the mages Snydril and Zacaré. They used magic and the heart of another monster (which followed them from another world to the Continent) to combine Fjall with the creature’s energy and power. The transformation nearly killed him.

Fjall came out of the procedure fundamentally changed, becoming more monster than elf. His senses increased, as did his strength and rage. Ultimately his body grew pale and oversized, his eyes discolored. Through Fjall, Blood Origin introduced us to the first prototype witcher. Without the more refined process developed by later mages (almost certainly using Zacaré’s information) for humans like Geralt of Rivia, though, Fjall was a risk to everyone and everything. He couldn’t control himself and began attacking allies and friends. Éile’s song helped him regain control briefly, but she still had to kill him. Fjall’s strange new bloodline did not die with him, though.

The Connection Between Ithlinne’s Blood Origin Prophecy and Ciri’s Bloodline in The Witcher

According to her mother, all of young Ithlinne’s prophecies come true. That proved to be the case in The Witcher: Blood Origin. But Ithlinne’s most important prophecy is still 1,200 years in the making. Éile ended the show pregnant with Fjall’s child, a baby conceived after his transformation. When Ithlinne touched Éile’s belly, she foresaw the most important figure in the history of the Continent, a powerful descendant with magical monster blood. Here’s what Ithlinne said in her fugue state:

The time of the spheres is upon us. Aen Seidhe (elves of the Continent) lost across the skies. Cast adrift in time. Ever searching for love…lost. And left behind. The Lark’s seed shall carry forth the first note of a song that ends all times…

Minnie Driver’s Seanchaí finished that prophecy. She told Jaskier, “And one of her blood shall sing the last.”

Blood Origin reveals that The Witcher‘s Ciri is the descendant of Éile and Fjall. The prophecy about the end of all times speaks of her. She doesn’t just have Elder (elf) blood. Ciri also carries the magical blood of the first witcher. (That explains why it appears her blood could make it possible to create new witchers.) Blood Origin is about the origin of Ciri’s unique blood, and her story is the story of all witchers. Why she will end all times remains to be seen in The Witcher‘s main universe. Itlinne’s most important prophecy still has much to reveal. But we’re sure it will come true. They always do.

The Witcher: Blood Origin Reveals the Origins of The Witcher‘s Wild Hunt

Ciri and witchers aren’t the only ones whose stories date back to the Conjunction of the Spheres. That’s also when the Wild Hunt, that dark group of seven riders from another world seeking Ciri and her powers, also began their journey. Blood Origin reveals that the leader of the Wild Hunt was the elf known as Captain Eredin. Balor banished him and six of his men to a desolate world. There Eredin found a skull mask and began his transformation into the Wild Hunt. Ciri has the power to move between worlds, and they have long been stuck far from theirs. No wonder they seek Ciri, who they called the “starry-eyed child of Chaos.” For 1,200 years, their lives have been nothing but chaos.

The Celestial Voice and the Power of Chaos

Chief Sage Balor sacrificed his apprentice to gain chaos magic. He was the first to bring that power to the Continent. Like The Witcher‘s Yennefer more than a millennium later, chaos magic gave Balor the power to wield fire on Blood Origin. But what exactly was that being who gave it to him? Blood Origin didn’t reveal exactly what that voice was, but it did appear as an ephemeral blue mist, which looked exactly like the chaos magic that entered Balor’s body.

The Celestial Voice, which fed off death and suffering, might have been Chaos itself. And we haven’t seen the last of it.

Avallac’h Unlocks the Secrets of Time Travel in The Witcher: Blood Origin

The apprentice mage Avallac’h (who appeared as Minnie Driver to Jaskier) unlocked the secrets of time travel from The Book of Monoliths. It allowed him to go to the future to look after Ciri, as seen in The Witcher: Blood Origin‘s mid-credits scene. Avallac’h has been “there” since the start of The Witcher, just out of our sight. But the mage may now properly step into The Witcher‘s main storyline. Time travel is also how he was able to tell Jaskier about the story of the Seven, which Avallac’h hopes will give elves hope during these dark days.

Of course, Blood Origin also showed how elves did to dwarves what humans did to them. On a Continent where new powers bring pain to the old ones—and where the crossing of worlds brings pain to every dimension—-maybe the only hope any race has is for Ciri to end the world as everyone knows it.

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There are many ways to channel your inner Geralt of Rivia. You could grunt, curse, or slay, just to name a few option. Now you can also show off your fandom with clothing and accessories inspired by the hit Netflix show. BlackMilk just dropped everything from dresses, leggings, robes, capes, and more to help you give White Wolf vibes wherever you go. The 32-piece collection also includes apperal and accessories inspired by Yennefer of Vengerberg, Ciri of Cintra, and Triss Merigold. So go ahead and toss a coin to this enchanting Witcher collection, which ranges from $45-120. Maybe you’ll even catch the attention of your very own demon-slaying dreamboat or silver-tongued bard.

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Whether you’re looking for something called a sorceress strapped up maxi dress, warrior harness, or basilisk overalls, BlackMilk’s Witcher collection has something for everyone. The “School of the Wolf” print shows off Geralt’s symbol and swords. The bomber jacket (pictured below, on the left) also includes the Medallion Tree at Kaer Morhen that honors fallen witchers. There’s also the beautiful “Continent Map” print with symbols from each episode of the first season (below, on the right). There’s even a few pieces left from last year’s clothes based on the video game. Every item is a limited edition and may sell out fast and destined never to return.

BlackMilk also has clothing and accessories collections for Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Matrix, and Stranger Things, among other geeky gear. We’ll have to check back to see if the company decides to update this collection with Liam Hemsworth’s face once season four substitutes him in as the White Wolf. Even though the prequel series isn’t even out yet, we’re confident that we would also love outfits inspired by Michelle Yeoh’s character in the upcoming show The Witcher: Blood Origin.

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth. 

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The Witcher: Blood Origin star Mirren Mack (Merwyn) and showrunners Lauren Hissrich and Declan de Barra sit down with Nerdist’s Michael Walsh (@burgermike) to discuss the new season, the history of elves in the Witcher universe, and the importance of telling this origin story on today’s episode of Nerdist Now!

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The cast of The Witcher: Blood Origin (Joey Batey, Larry Henry, Zach Wyatt, Lizze Annis) introduce us to their characters, the history of The Witcher, what it was like exploring Continent, and maybe a hint or two as to what Jaskier is doing in this series as well?

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Henry Cavill is out as Geralt and Liam Hemsworth is in. What that fully means for The Witcher remains to be seen. But no matter how good the show’s new star might be that won’t change how much we’ll miss the series’ original White Wolf. We do know what will help us deal with Cavill’s surprise departure though: a spinoff starring Michelle Yeoh. She leads Netflix’s upcoming special prequel event The Witcher: Blood Origin. The show’s fantastic new trailer brings us to a time long ago, when the Continent saw the creation of the first witcher.

“Starring Michelle Yeoh” is really the only promotion this four-part special needs, but we’re not complaining about getting this trailer. We don’t care what era we visit the Continent during, we just want to spend more time there. For this series that will be when elves still wielded incredible power. Here’s Blood Origin‘s official synopsis from Netflix:

Set in an elven world 1200 years before the time of Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri, The Witcher: Blood Origin will tell a tale lost to history: the creation of the first prototype Witcher, and the events that led to the pivotal Conjunction of the Spheres, when the worlds of monsters, men, and elves merged to become one.

The series will seemingly tell a tale not even Geralt knows about, even though it influenced his life immeasurably. The original series references the “conjunction of the spheres” all the time. And learning the true origin of witchers could reframe everything we know about the group.

The Witcher: Blood Origin also stars Minnie Driver, Lenny Henry, Laurence O’Fuarain, Sophia Brown, Mirren Mack, Lizzie Annis, Francesca Mills, Zach Wyatt, and Huw Novelli. The only bad news we have to wait until December 25 to see it. But a show starring Michelle Yeoh is a fantastic present. Especially since we just lost the gift of Henry Cavill as Geralt.

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In the words of Geralt of Rivia, “F***.” In a truly stunning development, Netflix has announced Henry Cavill is leaving The Witcher after season three. The show isn’t ending with his departure, though. The Hunger Games‘ Liam Hemsworth will replace Cavill as the White Wolf on The Witcher. Netflix also officially confirmed season four of the show with its announcement that Liam Hemsworth will take the helm.

Just a week after formally returning to the role of Superman in Black Adam, Henry Cavill is saying goodbye to another famous role. The avowed fan of The Witcher, Cavill, who once begged Netflix for the part, will not return as Geralt when The Witcher does in season four. The upcoming third season will be his last. This news of Cavill’s departure from The Witcher comes despite his previously stated commitment to doing seven seasons.

“My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4,” said Cavill in a statement about his departure from The Witcher. “In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam’s take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men. Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find.”

While the news of Cavill’s Witcher recast is certainly surprising, all of the speculation on social media that has followed is not. Fans want to know why this happened. Without an official answer, The Witcher fans are trying to make sense of the recasting news. Some have said Cavill has simply decided to focus on making movies. (And his return to the character of Superman could mean he has no time for a TV series.) Others think it’s an issue of money. And some believe fundamental disagreements with the show’s direction and depiction of Geralt led to his departure. Whatever the cause, Cavill is out on The Witcher, and Liam Hemsworth is in, and he has a mighty white wig to fill. But while Hemsworth knows that, he sounds excited for the challenge of playing Geralt.

“As a Witcher fan, I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia,” said Hemsworth. “Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I’m honored that he’s handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the White Wolf’s blades for the next chapter of his adventure. Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you brought to this beloved character. I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world.”

As huge fans of the The Witcher, Cavill, and his portrayal of Geralt, this is obviously disappointing news. But we’re still going to give Hemsworth a chance. The Witcher is a great show. We want it to succeed and continue entertaining us. And besides, the Continent still has plenty of monsters running around. Someone needs to fight them.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Season three of Netflix’s smash hit series The Witcher will not hit our screens until sometime in 2023; however, the streaming platform is diving even deeper into the fantastical world with a limited prequel series. The Witcher: Blood Origin’s announcement comes as the franchise dives deeper into witcher lore and the brotherhood. The upcoming spinoff is set more than a century before the flagship series, in the Elven world before human intrusion.

Here’s everything we know about The Witcher: Blood Origin.

Title

The title of this series is The Witcher: Blood Origin.

The Witcher: Blood Origin‘s Plot

Set 1200 years before Geralt of Rivia’s adventures throughout the continent, The Witcher: Blood Origin explores the long-forgotten tale of the first witchers. From the official Netflix logline:

“Set in an elven world 1,200 years before the world of The Witcher, Blood Origin will tell a story lost to time – the origin of the very first Witcher, and the events that lead to the pivotal “conjunction of the spheres,” when the worlds of monsters, men, and elves merged to become one.”

Blood Origin creator and writer Declan de Barra told Entertainment Weekly the story takes place in a pre-colonized world. It’s really about what that world would look like for elves before humans brought civilization to them. Executive producer Lauren Schmidt Hissrich adds the world at that time was much more of a Golden Age than what we see in the The Witcher, set hundreds of years later.

We got the first teaser trailer for the series in December 2021 and it really amped up the action. With the show only a few months away, a proper trailer should be on the horizon.

Recently, also learned that Minnie Driver would come aboard this prequel series. Minnie Driver will play Seanchaí, a teller of stories, in The Witcher: Blood Origin. Fans speculate that Driver’s character could be key in connecting the world of Blood Origin with the main The Witcher series.

Behind the Scenes

Declan de Barra is the showrunner and executive producer alongside The Witcher‘s Lauren Schmidt Hissrich and Sean Daniel. The writing team features a host of names, including Alex Meenehan, Aaron Stewart-Ahn, Tania Lotia, Kiersten Van Horne, Declan de Barra, and Tasha Huo. Andrzej Sapkowski, who wrote the The Witcher books, will consult on the series. The series will also boast two directors, Sarah O’Gorman and Vicky Jewson.

The Witcher: Blood Origin‘s Cast

Vikings actor Laurence O’Fuarain will lead the series. O’Fuarain, whose casting we learned about at Deadline, will play a warrior named Fjall. In a pair of tweets, The Witcher‘s official Twitter account described Fjall as a warrior carrying “a deep scar within.” Starring beside O’Fuarain will be the great Michelle Yeoh, whose casting was announced in July. Yeoh will play a character named Scían; details below:

“Scían is the very last of her nomadic tribe of sword-elves. No one can come close to her artistry with the blade, and no one carries as much loss within their heart. When a chance presents itself to retrieve a stolen sacred sword, taken from her fallen tribe by nefarious means, she launches herself into a deadly quest that will change the outcome of the Continent.”

On the heels of Yeoh’s casting, Variety reported that Sophia Brown would be joining the cast as Éile. (Queen & Slim star Jodie Turner-Smith was cast as Éile in January, but Deadline reported in April that she left the project due to scheduling issues.) Netflix describes Éile as “a fierce warrior with the voice of a goddess.”

The Witcher: Blood Origin also shared the rest of its cast. Per Deadline, UK comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry, Mirren Mack, Nathaniel Curtis and Dylan Moran are among the 10 casting additions. Henry, who is also starring in the upcoming The Rings of Power, will play a character called Balor. Mack will be voicing Merwyn, Curtis will be voicing Brían, and Moran will be voicing Uthrok One-Nut. Also joining the cast are Jacob Collins Levy, Amy Murray, Lizzie Annis, Huw Novelli, Francesca Mills, and Zach Wyatt. They will be playing Eredin, Fenrik, Zacaré, Brother Death, Meldof, and Syndril, respectively.

The Witcher: Blood Origin‘s Release Date

All four episodes of The Witcher: Blood Origin will hit Netflix on December 25.

Originally published on July 27, 2020.

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But who is joining the cast of The Witcher? Well, for now, here are the newest members of the show: Robbie Amell as Gallatin, Meng’er Zhang as Milva, Hugh Skinner as Prince Radovid, and Christelle Elwin as Mistle.

Happily, Netflix also shared more about each character, revealing the following:

A born fighter, Gallatin leads an army of guerrilla Scoia’tael fighting on behalf of Nilfgaard. Unafraid to speak his truth, Gallatin’s loyalty to his people ultimately leads him on a collision course with Francesca over power.

A human adopted by the dryads of Brokilon Forest, Milva is a fierce and talented huntress. Exact archery skills coupled with a stone-cold aptitude for survival make her a formidable adversary in the unforgiving Continent – those that cross her, do so at their peril.

Royal playboy and younger brother to King Vizimir, Radovid finds himself suddenly a man on the inside of the Redanian Intelligence. With his good looks and drunken charm, Radovid amazes with how incisive he can be in political affairs, but it’s all games until someone gets hurt.

Mistle is a member of The Rats, a gang of misfit teenagers who steal from the rich and give to themselves – and sometimes the poor. She is street hard, suspicious of everyone and out for revenge, until a chance meeting that will change everything.

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What does kikimora taste like? Which part of a basilisk has the most flavor? And what’s the best way to prepare leshy? Don’t turn to any chef in this world for answers. Those terrifying creatures only exist on the Continent. But soon you’ll be able to enjoy whole meals inspired by that land of magic and monsters. The Witcher is getting an official cookbook. And it will let you take an authentic culinary trip through that fantasy world’s many lands.

The Witcher Cookbook (which we first heard about at IGN) features 80 recipes inspired by the video game series. The book come from bloggers Anita Sarna (Nerds’ Kitchen) and Karolina Krupecka (Witcher Kitchen). Penguin Random House says each recipe is based on “The Witcher’s expansive settings, characters, and lore.” And put together they reflect the types of foods a monster-hunter might encounter as he travels the Continent looking for coin. From the publisher:

These dishes celebrate local and seasonal ingredients while adding unique twists that form a culinary map of the Continent and beyond. Warm up over a bowl of fragrant stew or juicy baked fruit from the namesake trees of White Orchard; end a hard journey to Velen with a hearty, rustic meal at the local tavern; enjoy an aromatic snack as you stroll the markets of Oxenfurt; sample dishes from near and far in the diverse port city of Novigrad; dine onfreshly-caught fish and mulled drinks on the islands of Skellige; feast on rich dishes in the sun-drenched climates of Toussaint and Beauclair; or forage on the perilous road to Kaer Morhen to learn the edible secrets of the witcher’s keep.

The 240-page hardcover book also includes photos of the meals. You can pre-order your copy now ($35) from Penguin Random House, or from any major book seller. It arrives in stores and in your kitchen  on October 25, 2022.

And just in case it does tell you how best to prepare leshy, make sure you get your tree meat from a witcher and not a butcher.

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Destiny brought them together on the Continent. Now Netflix has reunited our favorite trio to begin production on a new season of The Witcher. The streaming service shared a behind-the-scenes image of Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, and Anya Chalotra sitting near a frozen lake on the very cold set of season three. This photo doesn’t reveal much about the plot, only that making this show is a lot harder than watching it. But Netflix did provide a synopsis of what to expect when it does. This is The Witcher season three’s first official plot summary.

As monarchs, mages, and beasts of the Continent compete to capture her, Geralt takes Ciri of Cintra into hiding, determined to protect his newly-reunited family against those who threaten to destroy it. Entrusted with Ciri’s magical training, Yennefer leads them to the protected fortress of Aretuza, where she hopes to discover more about the girl’s untapped powers; instead, they discover they’ve landed in a battlefield of political corruption, dark magic, and treachery. They must fight back, put everything on the line – or risk losing each other forever.

It’s no surprise that everyone wants Ciri and her power. Her father has waged a holy war to get her. Kings with grand ambitions seek her out. And those monsters from another world are on a wild hunt to claim her. What is surprising is that Yennefer is willing to bring Ciri to Aretuza. The last time Yennefer returned to her own personal house of horrors she technically committed treason when she freed Cahir rather than execute him. She has powerful allies at the magical school and headquarters. But she has just as many enemies who believe her a traitor. And friend or foe, they’ll all want a piece of Ciri to further their own agenda.

But when that’s true of every person and place on the Continent—and beyond it too—all your options are bad. We can’t wait to learn more about The Witcher season three as filming unfolds.

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One of my favorite things about The Witcher on Netflix is that the show never slows down to explain anything. There’s too much going on to hold viewers’ hands, so you just have to figure stuff out as it happens. (Or hope your favorite pop culture site does it for you.) That includes where places actually are. The location of kingdoms, towns, and keeps are only spoken of in general terms. Nilfgaard can be found in the south, while Aedirn is one of the northern realms. However, the actual distance between places is nearly impossible to discern. But if you’re like me and only know of the franchise through the show, you now can learn exactly where everything is, how many people live there, and what kind of land it rests on. Students at Warsaw University have created a highly-detailed scale map of The Witcher‘s Continent.

Ciri wasn’t just far from her home of Cintra in season two of The Witcher. She was as far away as possible. Kaer Morhen is on the complete opposite side of the Continent from her native kingdom. A harsh reality I did not fully appreciate before seeing this map made by Warsaw University students. (Which we first learned about at IGN.)

But this highly-detailed map does more than show you how far apart places are. In addition to borders and distances, the map also denotes population density and topography. Unless a mage lets you portal somewhere, traveling most place in this world requires a long and tiresome trek.

This accurate map also serves as an ominous reminder of what awaits Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri in The Witcher season three. This world might be massive, but there’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Not when every kingdom is looking for you.

Of course, considering what we saw of another world in the season two finale, the Continent might still be the safest place for Ciri. Well, at least until The Wild Hunt arrives.

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Ciri, Yennefer, and Geralt rid the Continent of the Deathless Mother. But The Witcher‘s season two finale wasn’t a total win. When they returned that demon to her own world the three came face-to-face with an even more dangerous enemy. The Wild Hunt has finally arrived to Netflix’s hit series. And they’re so terrifying that the show’s official concept art even scares us. As these images serve as an ominous reminder of the nightmare that awaits our favorite found family.

The Witcher‘s Twitter account shared the show’s formal concept art for the Wild Hunt. Prior to season two’s last episode the show only mentioned them in worried tones prior to the outbreak of war. Why the group is a harbinger of death and destruction is clearly on display in these drawings. Each member (and their horse) is a vision of hell come to life. Nothing good can follow their arrival. Stare at these pictures too long and you’ll have no one to blame but yourself for the awful dreams you’ll have tonight.

The sinister group manifested from nothing when Ciri portaled herself, Yennefer, and Geralt to another world. Book readers and gamers know the Wild Hunt well. But even newcomers to the Continent got a taste of why they’re so frightening. As this concept art highlights, their appearance alone is enough to scare anyone. They have obvious Ringwraiths/Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse energy. However, what they said is even more chilling. Through a fit of laughter they said, “Child of the Elder Blood, starry-eyed Daughter of Chaos, join our Hunt. Your place is among us. You are ours.”

Don’t like that. Don’t like that one bit. Somehow, though, they’re even worse than they look. The Witcher‘s showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich previously told IGN the Wild Hunt is the series’ answer to Thanos. But like the Mad Titan, they’ll become more complex as viewers get to know them. They have their own origins and purpose. Hissrich says the show is “going to get a little bit deeper into them so they’re not just the evil skeletal bad guys.”

Okay. But they do make great/horrible evil skeletal bad guys.

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When one sets out to fight evil, they should always look their best. I don’t make the rules. As The Witcher activity heats up in December, BlackMilk clothing is launching a new The Witcher collection designed to help you do precisely this. The collection comes in collaboration with CD PROJEKT RED. And let me tell you, neither monsters nor errant mages stand a chance against this powerful fashion.

BlackMilk shares that the line celebrates “this renowned video game franchise set in the universe created by Andrzej Sapkowski in his series of books.” And it features “more than 35 printed and designer pieces drawing on the world of The Witcher and its most famous characters, including Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, Triss Merigold, and the bard Dandelion.” The line is very clever. It subtly weaves in nods and allusions to characters and events that will please even the most die-hard The Witcher fans. But it also does so in such a way that for those not in the know, the fannish nature of the clothing may go unnoticed. We love an inside joke with our fandom.

The Witcher BlackMilk collection also features a variety of items, including bodysuits, overalls, dresses, robes, and more. (Yes, we said robes. We know we need fashion robes, stat.) Every fan can find their perfect quest attire and ideal Witcher fashion with so many options.

We can’t preview the whole collection, given it includes 35 pieces in total. But we can help you dip your toe in the bathtub. Here are some of our favorite The Witcher fashions.

Geralt Armour Velvet Long Sleeve Bodysuit

BlackMilk shares, “A witcher is always well protected. This chainmail armor print, complete with Geralt’s iconic School of the Wolf medallion, will keep you safe on all of your monster-hunting adventures.”

We don’t know how protected this will keep you, but it sure will keep you stylish.

Team Yen Shooter

“Who is your favorite sorceress?” BlackMilk asks, “Whether you’re Team Triss or Team Yen, you can rep your choice with this sporty Shooter.”

We love a subtle jersey, and the font on this one slays us.

Butterfly Spell Short Overalls

According to the brand, “This pretty artwork was inspired by the Triss: Butterfly Spell card in GWENT: The Witcher Card Game, depicting a powerful spell cast by sorceress Triss Merigold. It’s perfect for those who want a more subtle way to celebrate their love for The Witcher universe – or even those who just like to wear a cloud of fluttering butterflies all over their bod.”

You had us at overalls. And these ones are just beautiful. Again, low-key fandom fashion, and we are here for it.

Triss Merigold Slinky Playsuit

The brand shares, “This stunning print is based on the beautiful colors and filigree patterns of Triss Merigold’s alternative outfit from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.”

This playsuit really brings the magic of the franchise to life. It feels modern but fantastical, all at once. A sleek vision of The Witcher world.

School of the Wolf Robe

We said “fashion robe,” didn’t we? BlackMilk notes, “Kaer Morhen is home to the witchers of the School of the Wolf, known as prolific monster slayers – and amongst its most notable members is Geralt of Rivia. This robe celebrates the School’s iconic emblem alongside the magical signs used by the witchers who trained there.”

The Witcher x BlackMilk Collection

The Witcher x BlackMilk collection has many other pieces for you to explore. Including, yes, a celebration of our favorite bard. You can take a full look here starting right now. Make your wishlists now because the collection drops on December 13 at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT (the 14 at 7 am AEST).

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(Note: We’re only using the events of the show as a guide. Not the books or the games, which might potentially provide answers to our questions about the Netflix series.)

Who is the main villain in The Witcher Universe?

The main antagonistic force in The Witcher season one is the empire of Nilfgaard. Much of The Witcher’s world once considered Nilfgaard a “shitty backwater.” But that changed after (the unseen) Emperor Emhyr claimed the throne of the empire. Also called the “White Flame,” Emhyr garnered fierce loyalty from his subjects, who view him as a messiah. 

This blind devotion extends so far a Nilfgaard soldier claimed he was “already saved” right before Geralt killed him. Emhyr is also seen as a religious figure. Fringilla the Mage mentioned in season one that “The White Flame made me who I am, gave me a higher power.”

Despite promising salvation, Nilfgaard is ruthless in its quest to control the entire Continent. It slaughters the innocent, young and old alike. It employs dark, forbidden magic and makes its new subjects’ lives so miserable they gratefully accept the meager tokens given by their cruel rulers.

In season one, we see Nilfgaard begin conquering other kingdoms of the South for Emhyr. The Emperor is also obsessed with locating Ciri. He believes she is the key to Nilfgaard’s true purpose, which could lead to the end of the world. With the help of Fringilla the Mage and the Knight Cahir, he moves to capture her. Ciri narrowly escapes Nilfgaard’s clutches several times in season one. But Cahir is still determined to find her.

Who is The Witcher’s Ciri, and What Are Her Powers? 

Ciri was an important character before she was born. Geralt inadvertently claimed her as his charge in a moment of destiny via the Law of Surprise. The ancient custom states that if you save someone’s life, they owe you a boon. But the nature of the boon is unknown. In Geralt’s case, it was a child whose destiny became entwined with his own. At the time, though, Geralt had no wish for a child. Nor did he believe in destiny. So he left Ciri and his responsibilities behind for years, in direct conflict with the wishes and demands of destiny. A dangerous proposition in this world.

Geralt knew about this destiny even longer, though. Years before he claimed his Law of Surprise, Princess Renfri told him “the girl in the woods” was his destiny. 

Ciri also inherited a powerful family “gift,” one referred to as a “primal power.” Her screams can destroy and kill; they can crack open the earth itself. Sometimes she also hears voices calling out to her. And without trying, she can enter into a trance when they call to her, or she’s in danger. It’s a gift her late mother shared, but one her grandmother, who raised her, does not possess. However, neither mother nor daughter showed an ability to control their deadly power. 

Ciri and The Witcher’s Prophecies

Cahir wants to use Ciri to spread his Emperor’s supremacy throughout the Continent. With Ciri’s powers, Nilfgaard might be unstoppable. That would make for a dangerous future. Cahir said, “The time of the sword and the ax is nigh.” And Ciri echoed those ominous words during a spell where she went into a trance. She spoke Elder and killed three attackers and a horse after saying the following:

“Verily, I say unto you, the era of the sword and the ax is nigh, the era of the Wolf’s Blizzard. The Time of the White Chill and the White Light is nigh….the Time of Madness and the Time of Contempt.”

But Ciri might be even more dangerous to the Continent than that. Season one introduced a major prophecy that foretells mankind’s demise. Stregobor the Mage told Geralt about it when explaining why Princess Renfri had to die.

Have you ever heard of the Curse of the Black Sun? First full eclipse in 1,200 years. It marked the imminent return of Lilit, demon goddess of the night sent to exterminate the human race. According to the wise mage Eltibald, Lilit’s path was to be prepared by 60 women wearing gold crowns who’d fill the river valleys with blood.

If Ciri, who can’t yet control her power, is the prophesied Lilit, she could destroy the entire human race. All hope is not lost, though. Destiny “is a double-edged sword.” Ciri might just as easily save mankind than destroy it. (Plus, Stregobor is wrong all the time. That guy is the worst.)

Yennefer’s Quest For a Child 

To become a powerful witch, Yennefer gave up her ability to have children. A choice she sought to correct throughout The Witcher season one. Her yearning led her to take huge risks. She attempted many cures over the years, including trying to become the vessel for a djinn and hunting for a dragon’s heart. But the golden dragon Borch (in human form) told Yennefer she “will never regain her womb.”

Though these quests were unsuccessful, they did lead to her becoming inextricably entangled with Geralt. During their encounter with the djinn, Geralt’s final wish was to never lose Yennefer. When she learned about the wish, though, it made her believe nothing about their relationship was real.

Yennefer will surely continue her quest for a child in season two of The Witcher. Perhaps exploring how Geralt’s mother, Visenna, also a sorceress, was able to have a child on her own will lead to answers. Geralt’s mother has appeared on the show twice, though neither stands as an entirely reliable appearance. The first was during Geralt’s fever dream in a vivid memory when she gave him up. The second also came during Geralt’s delirious fever dream, which may or may not have been real.

It remains to be seen whether an answer lies with Visenna and how she connects into Geralt and Yennefer’s story. It is also possible an answer lies with the elves, who were nearly wiped out previously. 

Where did The Witcher Season One leave our main characters? 

Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Princess Cirilla (“Ciri”) of Cintra, The Witcher’s main characters, each followed their own timeline for much of season one. With Ciri’s beginning long after the other two. All three stories came together in the present during the final two episodes. Season two of The Witcher will take place in just a single timeline.

Season one’s last major event was the Battle at Sodden, when Yennefer stopped another attack by the empire of Nilfgaard. She unleashed pure chaos—another word for magic—as her fire swept over Nilfgaard’s soldiers. However, she was not seen after her incredible display.

In The Witcher season one’s final moment, Geralt and Ciri finally find one another in the woods. Despite never meeting her, Ciri asked Geralt who Yennefer was as Ciri heard Geralt calling out for her while dreaming. In the season one finale, Geralt also said he needs to go “home,” a.k.a to Kaer Morhen, a place he grew up and trained to be a witcher, and he will in season two.

Netflix’s great anime prequel movie, Nightmare of the Wolf, introduced us to Kaer Morhen and showed the events that led to an eventual attack on it. It also focused on Geralt’s teacher and mentor, Vesemir. All while providing valuable insight into why humans fear witchers and often hate them. The movie also filled in gaps on the role of monsters, mages, and magic on the Continent. This all helps frame season two of the show, in which an older Vesemir will play a major role.

Other Characters and Their Fates

Tissaia

Though badly hurt by Frangilla during the Battle of Sodden, she remained standing after Yennefer burned the Nilfgaardian army. Tissaia ended season one calling out for Yennefer. The two had only recently shared their affection for one another after a long and difficult relationship.

Triss Merigold

Triss suffered a terrible burn during the Battle of Sodden but barely remained among the living at season one’s conclusion. She was also correct that King Foltest would answer her call to defend the North. He arrived with his forces after Yennefer stopped Nilfgaard. Foltest trusted Triss because years earlier, she hired Geralt to save Foltest’s daughter from her curse as a striga.

Vilgefortz

The only mage with military experience pushed for the members of Aretuza to defend Cintra. They voted him down. But Vilgefortz convinced a small group of mages to defend Sodden. He fought Cahir in single combat during the battle but ignored Yennefer’s warnings and used up his magic in the fight. Cahir bested him, but Vilgefortz lived. When he woke, he brutally slaughtered an ally for reasons that remain unclear.

…But What About Jaskier

Our favorite bard and chief hype man for the White Wolf gave us more than “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher,” one of pop culture’s best ditties ever. He gave us so many laughs in season one. Unfortunately, his season one story ended on a sad note, with some truly hurtful words from his friend. Geralt told Jaskier all he wanted from life was to be free of the bard. A dejected Jaskier (who accidentally never aged over more than two decades during the first season) went off never to be seen again.

But don’t worry! Trailers show he’ll be back in season two. And it seems Geralt will once again need his old friend’s help.

The post THE WITCHER Season 1: Everything You Need to Remember appeared first on Nerdist.

Henry Cavill turned grunting into an art form during season one of The Witcher on Netflix. With nothing more than an exasperated sigh he also captured the weariness that comes with hunting monsters. And he conveyed all the anger and aggravation a witcher feels with nothing more than a perfect F-bomb. But don’t expect the White Wolf to be as quiet in season two. Cavill says Geralt of Rivia will talk far more often when the fantasy series returns. And that will make him more like the character readers know and love.

GamesRadar has an excerpt from Total Film‘s interview with Cavill. The famous nerd spent the pandemic doing exactly what lots of others did. He re-played The Witcher games on their hardest settings. He said it was a lot more stressful than he remembered. But unless we’re getting The Witcher 4 anytime soon our focus is on the next season of Netflix’s live-action adaptation. And Cavill says when it arrives at the streaming site on December 17 it’s going to bring us a much more loquacious version of the character.

“This season, I really wanted to make sure that we represented the book’s Geralt more accurately, and that we saw him speak more,” said Cavill on getting Geralt to open up. “I pushed really, really hard for that.”

Don’t worry though. A talkative White Wolf won’t mean a happy one. Cavill says his character won’t be any cheerier. “He’s still Geralt of Rivia, but he’s definitely coming across as more of an intellectual,” he said. “It’s a hard life, monster hunting…I wouldn’t recommend it.”

No worries! We weren’t considering it as a profession anyway. Not even because we’re very, very afraid of monsters. We just don’t know if we can capture the difficulty of the job with a single grunt or a well-placed curse word. Killing creepy creatures is hard. But doing that is an art.

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Netflix

The Witcher’s Season Two Plot

Season two of The Witcher is getting a little more family-focused… on Geralt’s family, that is. One of the season’s primary focuses is on Geralt keeping Ciri safe by bringing her to his childhood home. So yep, we’re meeting a bunch of new witchers. As for Yennefer, she’s alive, if not wholly safe at the moment.

Here’s the official season two logline from Netflix:

“Convinced Yennefer’s life was lost at the Battle of Sodden, Geralt of Rivia brings Princess Cirilla to the safest place he knows, his childhood home of Kaer Morhen. While the Continent’s kings, elves, humans and demons strive for supremacy outside its walls, he must protect the girl from something far more dangerous: the mysterious power she possesses inside.”

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 Behind the scenes

Season two consists of eight episodes, with Stephen Surjik, Sarah O’Gorman, Ed Bazalgette, and Geeta Patel each directing two episodes. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich returns as showrunner and executive producer. Season two debuts more or less two full years after the series premiered. After several COVID delays, the series finally wrapped production in April 2021.

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The Witcher Season Two Cast

You can’t have The Witcher without Geralt of Rivia. Henry Cavill is, of course, reprising his role as the titular witcher. Joining him are the rest of the principal quartet: Anya Chalotra as sorceress Yennefer, Freya Allan as Princess Ciri, and Joey Batey as the beloved bard Jaskier. Other returning members of the large ensemble cast include MyAnna Buring, Tom Canton, Lilly Cooper, Jeremy Crawford, Eamon Farren, Mahesh Jadu, Terence Maynard, Lars Mikkelson, Mimi Ndiweni, Royce Pierreson, Wilson Radjou-Pujalte, Anna Shaffer, and Therica Wilson Read.

Season two also boasts a lot of new characters, including several witchers. Killing Eve star Kim Bodnia is playing Vesemir, legendary witcher and father figure for Geralt. Game of Thrones alum Kristofer Hivju joins as Nivellen, who features in the short story “A Grain of Truth,” which the series is adapting. In addition, actors Paul Bullion and Yasen Atour will play a pair of witchers named Lambert and Coën.

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 Other new additions include The Danish Girl’s Aisha Fabienne Ross as Lydia, Basil Eidenbenz (Victoria) as Eskel, Agnes Bjorn as Vereena, and newcomer Mecia Simson will play Francesca. Unlike many characters previously featured in Andrzej Sapkowski’s books or the video games, Dolittle’s Carmel Laniado’s Violet and Kevin Doyle’s Ba’lian are original characters. 

Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh will play Nenneke, a priestess from Melitele and longtime ally of Geralt’s, while Outlander and Preacher alum Graham McTavish is Redanian intelligence leader Dijkstra. The detective agency Codringher and Fenn is also making its debut during season two. Simon Callow, best known for Four Weddings and a Funeral and another Outlander alum, is the former, while Liz Carr, in a gender-swapped casting, is Fenn. Chris Fulton will play Rience, who, in the books, is a powerful mage on the hunt for Ciri, while Cassie Clare will play Redanian sorceress Phillippa Eilhart.

Release Date 

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The Witcher season two premieres on December 17, 2021.

Any News Beyond Season Two?

Going into the series, viewers knew they’d get at least two seasons of Henry Cavill battling monsters in a gorgeous silver-white wig. But fear not, we’re already promised more. (In addition to the Blood Origin spinoff.) During Netflix’s Tudum event, the streaming platform confirmed season three is on the way. This is perfect as Hissrich has apparently mapped out seven seasons’ worth of storylines.

Originally published on November 19, 2019. 

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I loved season one of The Witcher. I loved it so much I’ve wondered if the show’s sophomore season can possibly live up to my expectations. Well, I’m no longer worried about that. Because the newest trailer for The Witcher season two is so good, I’m ready to run outside and fight monsters myself. That seems reasonable after this intense look at what promises to be an even more action-packed, emotional story.

But don’t worry, our favorite bard is still around to lighten things up.

Yeah, I’m ready to go full Barney Gumble. Just hook this show to my veins after this perfect The Witcher season 2 trailer. It features a phenomenal song and impeccable pacing. Most importantly, though, it doesn’t give too much away while also feeling full and rich. There’s plenty of insight and intrigue into what we can expect from the series’ major characters following the battle that ended season one. Yet you’d be hard-pressed to predict exactly where the story is going. We just know a whole lot is going to be happening. With plenty of monsters to fight, both fierce magical creatures and humans alike.

The show’s official synopsis does provide more information for where Geralt is going and why. From Netflix:

Convinced Yennefer’s life was lost at the Battle of Sodden, Geralt of Rivia brings Princess Cirilla to the safest place he knows, his childhood home of Kaer Morhen. While the Continent’s kings, elves, humans and demons strive for supremacy outside its walls, he must protect the girl from something far more dangerous: the mysterious power she possesses inside.

Netflix

Kaer Morhen is the home of all witchers. It’s where Henry Cavill’s Geralt trained. If you haven’t watched Netflix’s anime prequel, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, do that right now. Not only does it show Kaer Morhen, but it also provides essential backstory to the Continent and why people are leery of witchers.

I’m going to rewatch it myself. I need to direct all this energy from the trailer somewhere, and I’m not really qualified to go outside and fight monsters. Unfortunately, Kaer Morhen didn’t accept me as a student. Fortunately, Jaskier didn’t get in either. This is probably why he’s a lot less grim than Geralt and will provide the necessary laughs we need during what should be an incredibly tense season.

I can’t wait. But I’ll have to. The Witcher season two debuts December 17 on Netflix.

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Tu…Dah! Netflix’s recent Tudum fan event had plenty of exciting news for fans of The Witcher. From new The Witcher season two first looks (and a trailer) to the announcement of The Witcher season three, the event was chock full of magical happenings for the fantasy show.

First, to highlight season two more broadly, Netflix offered an extensive “The Witcher: Road to Season 2″ trailer. This trailer teased many of the main characters and conflicts the season intends to explore. It also offered fans a look back at season one while introducing new footage into the mix.

From Ciri to Yennefer to, of course, Geralt, the trailer gave everyone a moment in the proverbial sun. (Although much of the trailer was shrouded in darkness.) Its main focus? The idea of monstrosity. As the official description shares, “You can’t escape the monster within.”

From the looks of this trailer, season two will spend a lot of time on this theme. The season will center questions like, what is evil? What does it mean to be a monster? And can one be forgiven for what’s inside of them or what they’ve done? We’ll have to tune in for the premiere of The Witcher season 2 on December 17 to find out.

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In the meanwhile, Netflix shared two The Witcher first looks to whet our appetite. These first looks both focus on two of Geralt’s relationships. First up, Geralt reconnecting with his old friend, Nivellen.

Fantasy fans may recognize Nivellen, played by Kristofer Hivju. Hivju famously portrayed Tormund Giantsbane in Game of Thrones. Though Tormund was unlucky in his quest for Brienne of Tarth’s affections in Game of Thrones, he did acquire a bro in the form of Jon Snow. Now it looks like Hivju finds himself in another snarky bromance on The Witcher. 

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Nivellen seems to have no issue cutting right to the heart of Geralt, gently teasing him about issues he doesn’t want to confront. But, The Witcher official account warns he has a big secret. And, “There’s more to Nivellen than meets the eye.” This first look does end somewhat ominously, with Geralt accusing Nivellen of cheating him in a game. A bit of foreshadowing, perhaps?

In the second The Witcher season two first look, fans catch a glimpse of Geralt and Ciri’s relationship. Hint: It’s a work in progress.

In the first look, Geralt shakes Ciri awake and warns her of trouble abounding. He doesn’t really let her in on what’s going on but does get her out of harm’s way. So we give him points there. As Ciri waits nervously by Roach, Geralt readies himself for battle.

Though we don’t see what he’s fighting, we know it’s a bruxa. But what is a bruxa? Geralt never explains to Ciri, but fans know a bruxa “is a very powerful type of vampire that takes on the appearance of a dark-haired, young human.” These creatures can withstand sunlight and only a silver blade will kill them. Luckily, Geralt looks ready to us. (Too bad he’s still growling at Ciri and not yet fighting the bruxa…)

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Finally, this celebration tastes even sweeter with Netflix’s announcement of The Witcher season three.

Fear not, Witchers, bruxas, and bards, the Witcher-verse continues on. Why don’t we celebrate with a song?

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Netflix’s new prequel anime film The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf tries to do so much it shouldn’t work. It provides significant history about the Continent and its magical users, namely mages and witchers, filling in many of the holes the live-action show’s first season didn’t fully address. It also serves as an origin story for a character joining the series in season two, Vesemir, the witcher who trained Geralt. The witcher home of Kaer Morhen also gets to shine ahead of its introduction on the show. The movie is also full of so many terrifying monsters it doubles as a living encyclopedia of ghastly beasts. And it does all of this while telling a personal story that spans decades, as well as a much larger story with ramifications that will last even longer. It’s a lot. And it probably shouldn’t work, but it does.

Somehow the film does all of those things while still telling a coherent, well-paced, entertaining, and moving story. One that is certainly a must-watch for fans of the show. And a great introduction for those thinking about watching.

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf is not for the feint of heart. The Continent is a dangerous world of monsters. If not for witchers, it would be a world full of monsters, shredded limbs, and blood. A lot of blood. In some significant ways it does an even better job than the show of showing why witchers are so important—and so feared—in this world. It’s a crash course in this universe’s lore and every day life. Giving new context for who witchers are, where they come from, and what they do. The movie also explores the group’s less than stellar past. Not everyone who walked the path of a witcher had the same morals as Geralt. Not all of his older brothers were as grumpy as him, though. Vesemir most of all.

The film’s main character is nothing the like groaning, angry witcher who leads Netflix’s show. While just as handsome as Geralt, Vesemir is inherently charming and gregarious. He’s also far more selfish than his famous student. Viewers will often find themselves liking him in spite of him. Forget being a great and noble hero. He might not even be a very good person, though his skills as a witcher are more than formidable.

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But he’s not the only magical being with impressive talents. Tetra Gilcrest, a powerful sorceress who distrust witchers entirely, is a worthy adversary. Monsters roam all over the Continent. Often in unexpected forms. Tetra wants to protect the land from all of them. Like Vesemir, there’s more to her story that gets revealed throughout the film. And the more you learn about her the more interesting both she and everyone around her becomes.

The same is true of the movie’s other main characters, as numerous threads come together for a poignant and exciting end. One that is far more epic and important to the franchise than the kind of conclusion it seems like the film is initially building towards. From Lady Zerbst, an elderly noblewoman who defends witchers, to Deglan, the witcher who recruited and trained Vesemir, everyone has more going on than they initially let on. When they do show all their cards—either because they want to or because they’re forced too—the entire film goes from being a fun exploration of this world to a major installment. That’s why even though the first third of the film feels a little disjointed initially, it all comes together in a satisfying way.

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The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf boasts a great score. (No surprise for this franchise.) The animation is vibrant, especially during action sequences when it really excels. And its main characters are complex and interesting. Fans of Netflix’s series won’t want to miss it. And they’ll be able to recommend it to their Witcher-curious friends considering watching the show. At a tidy 81 minutes it’s not a timely investment, especially compared to the ten-episode first season.

But it really works because it does so many things well. It’s more than just a supplemental piece to the show. It has something to say about this world and the people who live in it—what they want from life and from themselves. And how we often create the monsters we fear the most. The question isn’t whether you should watch it. The question is when is Netflix going to make more The Witcher anime films.

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf comes to Netflix August 23.

4/5

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike, and also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

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Pack your daggers, medallions, and lutes because we’re going to Witcher School!

As we first saw on Entertainment Weekly, an official Witcher School is now up and running, and it’s taking applications. This Polish LARP (live-action role-playing) game has actually been active for quite some time. But now it is officially licensed by CD Projekt Red, which develops the Witcher games. According to the official Witcher School website, the LARP finds inspiration in both the games and Andrzej Sapkowski’s saga. We’re sure the Netflix series has had some influence as well.

“This is not a movie,” a teaser for the school shares, “This is a game in real life.”

Here’s just a taste of what attendees can expect:

Learn fencing, archery, blacksmithing, alchemy and many other abilities, hunt down monsters alongside your companions, learn the secrets of grim castles, unravel the intrigues of kings and sorceresses, make difficult moral choices… and live with the consequences.

Sleep, eat and train in a real castle, turned into a true witcher’s lair. You’ll not only meet your companions and teachers, but also the characters well known from the game and books – flirting with Filippa Eilhart, a friendly spar with Vesemir, a tete-a-tete with Iorveth or a demonic pact with Gaunter O’Dim—all is possible!

Witcherschool.com/Piotr Müller

Basically, you’ll be stepping right into your own immersive adventure. Witcher School also makes it clear that “The Law of the Surprise discriminates against no one!” We toast to that!

So far, it looks like the school has three upcoming events planned for the fall, with more sure to come. With admission, future Witchers also get lodging and food, a costume, classes with professionals, and more. Happily, there is also a robust health and safety protocol in place to keep everyone safe. Tickets for the three-day experience range from around $600 to around $1,300. New event dates release approximately six months in advance, but beware, tickets go quick!

Witcherschool.com/Piotr Müller

Although traveling to Poland could be tricky for Witcher fans, it is fun to dream. For those who can’t make it all the way to Witcher School, there’s plenty to look forward to. First, a new Witcher anime film, Nightmare of the Wolf, releases on August 23. Next, season two of the Henry Cavill-led live-action series will arrive on December 17. And finally, a live-action prequel, Blood Origin, waits in the wings.

Feature Image: Witcherschool.com/Piotr Müller/Netflix

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This clip introduces us to Vesemir, a Witcher who later takes Geralt under his wing. We get to see Vesemir’s life story, from his rise to becoming a monster hunter to his quest to liberate a kingdom from impending harm. He’s given his power at a young age with a poison that brings him back to fight against beastly evils.

There are already some quotable lines in Nightmare of the Wolf‘s clip. For example, Vesemir tells someone that “favors and friends don’t pay bills,” and that is nothing but facts. And, a rallying cry at the end saying “Witchers! On me!” will surely get repeated a zillion times. (Also, I hate to be that person, but Vesemir will probably be the next addition to someone’s “hot animated characters” list.)

This character will appear in the live-action series, but it is really cool to explore his backstory in a different format. This will give fans some context on this upcoming character, specifically those not familiar with The Witcher’s source materials. And, bringing the Witcher world to an animated format is truly a cool concept.

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Netflix also released a film poster featuring Vesemir looking down at a slate of goblins. The “face your demons” tagline is rather on the nose, but we like it anyway. Nightmare of the Wolf is almost here, and it looks like an exciting addition to this franchise.

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Vitalina Batsarashkina had a truly memorable Tokyo 2020. She won two gold medals in air pistol. The sharpshooter bested the field in both the women’s 10-meter and 25-meter competitions. And she did it in style, with one hand on her gun and the other in her pocket. She was easily the Summer Games’ coolest competitor. But her stance and success wasn’t the only thing that endeared her to fans. She also wore a Witcher wolf medallion while shooting. And her love for the fantasy series led to an equally memorable return home from the Olympics. Her triumphant welcome included a live chorus singing “Toss a Coin To Your Witcher.”

Russian athletes still can’t compete under their country’s flag. But ace-shot Batsarashkina did compete under a banner of sorts for The Continent. Her Geralt of Rivia The Witcher medallion was hard to miss for fellow fans of the popular fantasy series. It was also hard to miss for her hometown fans, who knew exactly how to celebrate her dual gold medal Olympic performance. They gave her a live rendition of “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher” from the Netflix series.

NBC Sports

It was a perfect choice, and not just because she loves the world of monsters and magic. The song transcends borders and nationalities. It’s a banger in all languages. And hearing an entire chorus sing it just for you is like winning all over again.

Hundreds of athletes will leave Tokyo with a gold medal. For most, it will be the pinnacle of a lifetime. The culmination of long hours and hard work, all in pursuit of excellence. But few people, in any endeavor, will ever get a better welcome home than Batsarashkina did.

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The only thing that could have topped this would have been if the IOC played the song for her while she stood on the podium.

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Toss a coin to Dark Horse because the comics publisher just released a pair of stunning figures from The Witcher. Dark Horse is releasing the figures in partnership with CD PROJEKT RED, which makes The Witcher games, and Netflix, which is behind the series starring Henry Cavill. (Both of which are based on the Andrzej Sapkowski novels.) The figures are of the titular Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, and the sorceress Yennefer. And we have to say; the figures look a lot like their Netflix counterparts Cavill and Anya Chalotra.

Dark Horse

As the witcher, it’s safe to say the Geralt figure is a pretty hot commodity. The figure stands a stoic 8.5″ tall and features the character’s stunning platinum locks. And while we hate to see separated from Roach, the figure is standing solo, without his loyal horse.

Dark Horse

Here’s the description of the figure from Dark Horse:

Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter known as a witcher, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. The new deluxe hand-painted plastic figure features Geralt wearing his Season 1 armor and equipped with his meteorite sword adorned with Renfri’s brooch. Fans will notice the beautifully intricate details that tie this figure to both the hit show and the original video game.

While Dark Horse lists the Geralt figure at $49.00, the pre-order link suggests a higher price point of $59.99. And the figure ships out in February 2022. Do with that what you will.

Dark Horse

The Yennefer figure, which we first saw at Comicbook.com, stands 8″ tall and stands atop a 1″ base.

Here’s the description of the figure from Dark Horse:

The breathtakingly beautiful and powerful sorceress, Yennefer of Vengerberg, wasn’t always as she appears. In season 1 Yennefer goes on a massive adventure of magic and intrigue as she searches for her true place in the world and tries to attain all that she desires. This figure showcases her indomitable will and deadly cunning she displays during her travels.

Unfortunately, dark Horse doesn’t have a pre-order link open for the Yennefer figure just yet. But it appears you can pre-order through Entertainment Earth. Additionally, the Yennefer figure, which clocks in at $59.99, ships out in February 2022.

At least we’ll have these glorious figures as we await season two.

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Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher series has expanded far beyond his books. CD Projekt Red’s video game adaptations introduced many to Geralt of Rivia. Then Netflix’s The Witcher television series exposed even more people to the Continent and its stories and many monsters—and of course, Henry Cavill as Geralt. And then we learned Netflix would tell anime stories in same world, and we have the first trailer for the film coming in August. The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf tells the story of Geralt’s mentor Vesemir.

“Witchers are rogues without virtue.”

If you’re at all familiar with the world of The Witcher, you know that the people of the Continent don’t think kindly of witchers. They look down at the mutations, even though those mutations keep them safe from myriad creatures. Monsters, demons, you name it. The Nightmare of the Wolf trailer leans into that dislike while depicting Vesemir embracing witchering regardless. He’s all about that monster hunter life.

We’ll see Vesemir in season two of The Witcher as well—an older version. Kim Bodnia’s set to play the character. At that point in time, he’s the oldest and most experienced witcher at Kaer Morhen. The timing is right to get to know Vesemir. He served as a father figure to Geralt, and Geralt’s about to do the same for Ciri.

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The Witcher showrunner and executive producer Lauren Schmidt Hissrich is co-producing the anime. Beau DeMayo wrote the script and served as producer as well. Studio Mir’s Kwang II Han produces and directs. And let’s not forget Nightmare of the Wolf‘s voice cast: Theo James (Vesemir), Lara Pulver (Tetra), Graham McTavish (Deglan), Mary McDonnell (Lady Zerbst).

The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf premieres on Netflix on August 23, 2021.

Amy Ratcliffe is the Managing Editor for Nerdist and the author of A Kid’s Guide to Fandom, available now. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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Netflix gave fans their first full look at The Witcher‘s second season as part of the first ever WitcherCon virtual event. Henry Cavill and Freya Allan’s journey together looks to be just as perilous as their time apart in season one. That will lead Geralt to return to his childhood home and the witcher who trained him.

Things don’t look to be any easier for Anya Chalotra’s Yennefer either. The season’s official synopsis explains why she might not find Geralt as soon as any of us would like.

“Convinced Yennefer’s life was lost at the Battle of Sodden, Geralt of Rivia brings Princess Cirilla to the safest place he knows, his childhood home of Kaer Morhen. While the Continent’s kings, elves, humans and demons strive for supremacy outside its walls, he must protect the girl from something far more dangerous: the mysterious power she possesses inside.”

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The virtual event also gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the show’s sophomore effort.

We’re confident things will work out though. Not because we’re convinced everyone will be safe. But because the new season will include Jaskier wearing an amazing coat.

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WitcherCon also gave us something else we’ve been waiting for: a release date. We’re all going to have a Merry Witchmas. The series returns to Netflix on December 17.

Netflix also gave us more clues about what to expect from season two. We just have to figure out what every episode title means.

It’s probably a good thing we didn’t get the title for the season finale. WHICH IS WHY WE MUST HAVE IT!

Okay, fine. We’ll wait. In the meantime though, make sure to check out our post with everything we know about season two. As well as our full breakdown of the Continent’s timeline up to the moment Geralt and Ciri found one another.

Hopefully it’s not too far into the future when they will also find Yennefer.

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Just before binge-worthy television shows had advanced to the category of “medical necessity,” Netflix introduced the world of The Witcher. The world in question offered no shortage of intrigue for the fantasy lovers among us. But the centerpiece of the series was its main character: the oft-bathing Geralt of Rivia, portrayed by Henry Cavill. Now, fans are duly excited for The Witcher’s forthcoming second season; however, the absence of Geralt in the developing prequel series Blood Origin may feel like a dealbreaker for Witcher watchers. Luckily, we now have as exciting a headliner as we can imagine for the forthcoming spin-off: Michelle Yeoh.

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Netflix announced on Tuesday, via press release, that Yeoh would be joining The Witcher: Blood Origins in a lead role. She will play a character named Scían, whom Netflix describes as “the very last of her nomadic tribe of sword-elves.”

Here is the streamer’s full description of the character, from the press release:

No one can come close to [Scían’s] artistry with the blade, and no one carries as much loss within their heart. When a chance presents itself to retrieve a stolen sacred sword, taken from her fallen tribe by nefarious means, she launches herself into a deadly quest that will change the outcome of the Continent.

She will star beside the already cast Laurence O’Fuarain, who plays Fjall, a warrior duty-bound to serve his king. Fjall, like Scían, is a tortured soul thanks to a personal history of heartbreak. Seems like these two will have a fair share of “dark past” material to bond over. (That kind of thing usually brings unlikely allies together in situations like this!)

Yeoh has starred in everything from Tomorrow Never Dies to Memoirs of a Geisha to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Star Trek: Discovery. And she has wowed in each, and everything in between.

No word yet on when the six-part miniseries The Witcher: Blood Origins will release. However, The Witcher season two will hit Netflix some time in 2021. So as long as we get some Witcher soon, we’ll be okay.

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We still don’t quite know when The Witcher will return to Netflix for a second season. We want to know; we’d toss many a coin to know! But we lie in waiting. In the meantime, we’ve got some other Witcher-related news to tide us over. July will give way to WitcherCon, a global virtual fan event dedicated to all things of Rivia. Netflix has revealed the details of the Con, which will broadcast on YouTube and Twitch on July 9. Check out the lineup below!

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And in case you can’t make heads or tails of that, here’s further detail:

The Witcher Season 2: Deck of Destiny

Panel Guests: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, Mimî M Khayisa, Paul Bullion

Destinies collide when the cast and showrunner of Netflix’s The Witcher draw cards from an enigmatic deck of fan questions that will determine the path of the panel and the immediate fate of the guests. But these are no ordinary cards – prepare for surprise reveals, backstage insights, and a dash of chaos as our panelists take us through their journey of filming Season 2.

CD PROJEKT RED’s Memories from the Path: Stories Behind The Witcher Games 

For over 13 years, the Witcher series of games has captured the imagination of gamers worldwide. Now, the developers behind the games discuss how they brought their immersive stories to life — before revisiting old memories, uncovering forgotten artifacts, and reminiscing about their favorite moments from the franchise

Geralt of T-Rivia

Panel Guests: Błażej Augustynek, Philipp Weber, Declan De Barra, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich

It’s a meeting of the Witcher masterminds as key creators of the Witcher games and The Witcher Netflix series team up to test their knowledge of the wider Witcher universe. In this pub quiz-style game, behind-the-scenes tidbits and spoilery sneak peeks are prized just as much as the correct answers.

CD PROJEKT RED’s The Witcher: Beyond Video Games 

Panel Guests: Rafał Jaki, Bartosz Sztybor, Łukasz Woźniak

From detective noir to dark horror — all the way to the Old World and beyond, prepare to experience The Witcher’s expanded universe with the latest details on the upcoming comic books and board game inspired by the franchise!

Tales from the White Wolf: A Spotlight Conversation with Henry Cavill, hosted by Josh Horowitz

To close out WitcherCon, fans will hear from Geralt of Rivia himself, Henry Cavill, who will sit down with moderator Josh Horowitz (MTV & Comedy Central host) for an in-depth conversation about fantasy, destiny, and the wider Witcher Universe. The White Wolf may even have a surprise or two in store…

The event will be hosted by Julia Hardy, and will broadcast on Netflix’s YouTube and Twitch channels on July 9 at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT. A second stream will broadcast at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT.

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You may call it strategic, or you may call it sadistic, but Netflix waited until the very end of its Geeked Week extravaganza to give us even a taste of what’s yet to come for The Witcher. On Friday, the streaming site dropped the quickest imaginable teaser for the next season of the fantasy series, which you can view below… if you’ve got the vision of a predatory bird, that is.

Alas, there is only so much to glean from a first glance of this clip… but we’re in the business of second, third, and fortieth glances, aren’t we? So we’ll be poring over this fast-as-heck look to figure out what clues are embedded within.

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In the meantime, we have yet another piece of news to deal with:

While at first we wondered if this might be The Witcher‘s season two release date, we now know the truth. Per Netflix, this will be the date of the first ever WitcherCon. Here are the details from the press release:

Taking place on Friday, July 9, 2021, WitcherCon is an epic event for Witcher fans old and new, bringing together the worlds of The Witcher video games and the TV series. It will feature:

• A variety of entertaining and interactive panels spotlighting the people who brought The Witcher to life in-game and on-screen.

• Breaking news, exclusive behind the scenes and never-before-seen reveals from across The Witcher franchise.

• Intimate looks into the creativity and production behind CD PROJEKT RED’s games, including the upcoming mobile game The Witcher: Monster Slayer, comic books and fan gear, AND Netflix’s live action series The Witcher plus merchandise, as well as the anime film Nightmare of the Wolf.

• Expert explorations into the lore, legends, monsters and origins of the Continent.

Available on both Twitch and YouTube, WitcherCon will first air on July 9th at 7:00 pm ET. Fans will be able to watch WitcherCon across two separate streams, with each one containing exclusive content. The second stream, which also airs on Twitch and YouTube, will begin at 03:00 am ET on July 10.

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It all comes down to this, folks! Netflix’s inaugural Geeked Week has given us tons of news and goodies from upcoming and returning Netflix shows. Some of our favorites so far? Masters of the Universe, for a start. We are so excited to return to Eternia in a brand new animated series. We also learned about four brand new cast members for Stranger Things 4, and we started getting scared for Fear Street thanks to a new trilogy trailer. It’s been pret-ty outstanding, and the fifth and final day promises to be the best of the bunch. How so? Well news on The Witcher and the new Cuphead animated series would be enough on their own. But there’s much more!

Catch the entire Netflix Geeked Week Day 5 livestream right here!

Netflix’s inaugural Geeked Week comes to a close with a day full of video gaming goodness. From the latest on The Witcher to your first look at The Cuphead Show, today’s livestream has something for everyone and surprises galore.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Twitter!

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CD Projekt Red, the studio behind The Witcher game franchise, is teaming up with Go On Board for “The Witcher: Old World.” It will bring the Continent to your tabletop and recreate the experience of being a monster hunter on the prowl. All set during a time period ripe for exploration. From the official press release announcing the game:

“‘The Witcher: Old World’ is an adventure board game for 2-5 people that thrusts players into a story set long before the times of Geralt of Rivia, as they take on the role of professional monster slayers. Having recently completed their brutal training in their witcher school, they must embark on a journey spanning the Continent. Along the way they will face difficult choices, take on contracts, battle monsters—and perhaps find themselves brawling with another witcher in order to defend their school’s honor! Portraying the world of The Witcher as it once was, Old World will let players live out their own epic story where they’ll meet witchers of the five different schools and discover mysteries and locations up until now unexplored.”

CD Projekt Red/Go On Board

Designed by Łukasz Woźniak (“Valhalla,” “Titans”), the game will involve building your own unique deck. Players will choose cards with a “wide range” of abilities. That includes: attacks, dodges, and witcher combat magic (known as Signs). “Through card synergy,” players will try to achieve powerful combos. They’ll do that by using their school’s “hallmark abilities” to reach their full potential. That will mean going on quests, fightings both monsters and witchers, and even giving dice poker a roll, all to earn money, obtain items, and sharpen their skills. In the ultimate quest to become the greatest witcher in the land.

“Our goal with ‘Old World’ is to provide a deeply engaging experience which evokes the same emotions and atmosphere found in The Witcher books and games—but do so in a board game format,” said Łukasz Woźniak, co-founder of Go On Board, in a statement. “For a while now, we’ve been testing the game with fans of The Witcher universe, as well as with board game experts, and we’re very happy with what we’ve managed to accomplish so far. CD Projekt Red’s input into the story, and insight into the mechanical aspects of the project, have been invaluable.”

CD Projekt Red/Go On Board

If you want to be a monster hunter, the game’s Kickstarter will launch in May 2021. Both base and deluxe versions will be available. And the companies promise there will also be “extra content” for supporters unlock.  If the campaign is successful, it will start shipping in April, 2022.

But we imagine this is more a matter of “when” its successful. The Continent has been an amazing place to explore in novels, video games, and on TV. Fighting magical monsters on our tabletop is an idea that would even make Geralt smile.

Featured Image: CD Projekt Red/Go On Board

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Somehow it feels like Netflix released season one of The Witcher both last week and also a decade ago. In reality, it has been a year since it premiered, but time no longer has any meaning. Oh, not because of COVID, though. It’s because we can’t remember a past—nor consider a future—when “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher” wasn’t/isn’t playing on a loop in our head. Jaskier the Bard’s banging tribute to the White Wolf is one of the best fictional songs in pop culture history. And that’s true no matter what country you live in. We know thanks to this special version featuring of the song sung in multiple languages. It rocks, even if you can’t understand the lyrics.

Netflix, which already gave fans six days of Witchmas this month, served up another delightful holiday treat. The streaming giant released a rendition of the show’s instantly iconic “Toss a Coin to Your Witch” that weaves together multiple performances from around the world. Interspersed with the original English version, it features singing in Italian, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Spanish, Hindi, and Thai.

That lineup, which would also make for an amazing pot luck, highlights the infectious power of the song. It’s not easy to write a catchy track in one language. But this song is so good it’s immune to borders and barriers of any kind.

Netflix

We also love the idea of every nation having their own Jaskier. Honestly, every city and town on the planet should. Just maybe keep him away from your wives or any genies.

Now that we know how good this song sounds in any language, though, we must once again plead with the song’s composers, Sonya Belousova and Giona Ostinelli, to release the rap version they told us about. Yes, somewhere there is a full, official rap version of “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher” and we must have it.

And now we don’t even care what language it’s in. Only that we get it soon. Because when it comes to this song time has some meaning.

The post Hear ‘Toss A Coin To Your Witcher’ in 12 Languages appeared first on Nerdist.

The Witcher gave fans of the show a little holiday treat this year, with a special “Witchmas” celebration. For six days Twitter users were able to vote for either a specific bonus extra or the “Law of Surprise.” While most days people couldn’t help but be intrigued by the mystery, they couldn’t pass up the chance to see a reel of bloopers from the first season. They chose wisely.

This short montage features clips of star Henry Cavill and his fellow cast members breaking up when a stunt went wrong or someone messed up a line. Or, in the case of a post-coital cool down, when Cavill said he was “like a greased pig.”

To which a crew member accurately replied, “a sexy greased pig.” How many people on the planet can have that said about them and everyone knows it was a compliment?

Netflix

But not every blunder was the fault of a performer. At least, not all the human performers. Geralt’s trusty steed Roach crapped all over one scene with his total lack of professionalism. Okay, okay, maybe only the first part of that statement is fair. Horses can’t be unprofessional because they don’t know they’re on set. Even the fun ones.

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“The Witcher‘s Bestiary” takes a look at all of the monsters from the first half of the show’s inaugural season. Some are directly based on famous mythological creatures found in different cultures. The first monster seen on the show, the giant spider-like beast known as a Kikimora, comes from a nightmarish figure of Slavic folklore. They are always female, rise from stillborn children or women who died in labor, and often have the face of the deceased. Traditionally they aren’t as big and horrifying as the one Geralt fought, but knowing their origins makes that many-legged creature even more terrifying.

Some of The Witcher‘s other monsters—like the Doppler, Sylvan, and Djinn—are already well-known mythological figures. But the series’ most terrifying creature, a Striga, also has connections to fictional (we hope) figures of folklore. That “vampire prototype” would scare Dracula himself.

Also, it’s probably best not to go looking for the Brosno dragon. Geralt can fight his way out of a Selkiemaw’s stomach, but we can’t. We’re definitely not willing (or able) to face a Roachhound or any other type of giant insect monster it’s based on either.

Given the enormous number of monsters within the Witcher universe, the first bestiary video series only covered the first half of season one. But luckily, “The Witcher’s Bestiary” is back for part two, digging into all the monsters Geralt and co. encounter during the latter half of the season, including a basilisk, dragon, and even the nearly-extinct Hirikka—a creature created by The Witcher writer Andrzej Sapkowski.

What these video really show is how much the humans of the Continent take Geralt and his ilk for granted. They have actual horrible beasts eating them, yet they never want a witcher around. We’d like to hire one just in case these monsters ever prove to be real.

Originally published on May 12, 2020.

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We’re not sure exactly when we’ll get to see season two of The Witcher. But Netflix has given us a tasty little treat showing what awaits us when we finally return to the Continent. A fun new promo titled “Geralt’s Monster Mash” is a Halloween-themed trip through the many creatures, beasts, and demons that the White Wolf met in the show’s first year. It also includes two quick sneak peeks at new monsters we’ll come across when the series returns. We will definitely want a witcher around to deal with both.

“The White Wolf takes Halloween as a personal challenge. But keep your eyes peeled for a few sweet treats… you won’t want to miss what’s hidden.”

This clever promo (which we first learned about at io9) is set to Bobby Pickett’s spooky season classic “Monster Mash”—the greatest novelty song ever. (Name a better one. Oh wait, you can’t, so don’t bother.) The video features the many strange beings seen during the show’s inaugural season. And there were so many. From kikimoras and sylvans to strigas and dopplers, The Witcher never disappoints in the creature department.

We’re very much looking forward to what comes next on the series. At the 15- and 31-second marks in the video, we get brief glimpses at season two footage. The first new monster is a terrifying reed-like crawler with a single human-like eye. It slithers in the darkness, where it can seamlessly blend into its environment.

Netflix

…..Nooooope.

The other, while unsettling, might not be a monster at all. But if it is we’ll gladly toss a coin to our witcher to protect us from it. No non-magical being should trifle with three-headed skeletons. That’s how they end up four-headed skeletons.

Netflix

Monster or warning, that thing is reason enough to always keep Geralt of Rivia around.

Featured Image: Netflix

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While the teaser doesn’t reveal too much about the upcoming game, it’s certainly not your friendly, neighborhood Pokémon Go. According to the official The Witcher: Monster Slayer website, the game takes place long before Geralt of Rivia roamed the Continent. Perhaps it’s during the era depicted in the upcoming Netflix series Blood Origins. The location-based roleplaying game includes story-driven quests and adventures inspired by the Witcher series. It also allows players to keep a record of fallen enemies in their bestiary and fully embrace the life of a witcher.

From the official The Witcher: Monster Slayer announcement:

“Featuring console-grade visuals, Monster Slayer lets players explore the world around them while tracking, studying, and fighting monsters both new and familiar, using time of day and real-life weather conditions to gain the upper hand. Preparation is key in order to defeat tougher enemies, as players will need to brew powerful potions and oils, craft bombs and monster bait, and upgrade their character before putting these beasts to the sword and signs in first-person AR combat. In addition to battling monsters lurking close-by, the game also contains rich, story-driven quests inspired by other games from the series, taking players on full-fledged adventures that thrust them into the heart of what it means to be a professional monster slayer.”

Spokko/CD Projekt

The Witcher: Monster Slayer will be available on iOS and Android devices later this year. Now we can train to be witchers ourselves as we await season two of the Henry Cavill-led TV adaptation on Netflix.

Featured Image: Spokko/CD Projekt

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Fans of white-haired monster hunters and alluring mages will get a chance to learn even more about the show with the new doc Making The Witcher. It includes interviews with its titular star and huge dork Henry Cavill, as well as cast members Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Joey Batey. Viewers will also get to hear from the amazing crew behind the camera, including from showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich.

The documentary will also show the fight training that went into bringing its memorable showdowns to the screen. And viewers will also get to see the work that went into making the series’ terrifying monsters. The show combined VFX with practical effects from its incredible makeup artists. We’ll also learn how some costume parts were built specifically to withstand physical contact, so Geralt of Rivia could really do his thing.

Netflix

But the documentary will go beyond the physical tasks the show had to overcome. We’ll also get to learn more about how the writers juggled three main characters all on their own adventures through different timelines.

And all of that will help us deal with our own timeline issues. We still aren’t exactly sure when we’ll see season two of The Witcher. But Making The Witcher is available on Netflix now.

Featured Image: Netflix

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Despite many claims to the contrary, Henry Cavill’s Geralt proved in The Witcher‘s first season that he cares about Jaskier. The monster hunter did everything he could to save the humble bard’s life after the musician had an unfortunate run-in with a Djinn. But even the best of companions sometimes fight. And as much as the pair’s unlikely friendship was one of our favorite parts of the show, we also loved all the times Geralt swore at Jaskier. The White Wolf is just as good with an f-bomb as he is with a sword. And that’s true even if we don’t actually understand what he’s saying. We know because we can’t stop watching this video of Geralt screaming at Jaskier in other languages.

The Twitter account filmoment created a montage of Geralt saying, “I can’t f***ing sleep!” in English, Italian, German, French, Polish, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. The very angry, very intense line comes from the show’s fifth episode, “Bottled Appetites.” This moment happens shortly before Geralt digs the genie’s bottle out of the lake in hopes it will grant his wish to get some rest. Unfortunately for Jaskier that nearly resulted in him choking to death.

But the magical run-in wasn’t all bad. Well, not for Geralt that is. His friend’s near-death experience led the witcher to Yennefer. So, you know, you win some/lose some.

Netflix

As for Geralt’s yelling in other languages, the Japanese version is our favorite international take. It’s just a great language for yelling. We were a little surprised by how underwhelming the German version was, but there seems to be a good reason for that. Apparently, as one German-speaking fan postulated, in an effort to closely synch the words with Henry Cavill’s lips it omitted the f-bomb entirely. Boo! Boooooo!

Taking away a master vulgarian’s greatest weapon is like taking away a witcher’s best friend and personal bard. No one wants to f***ing see—or hear—-that.

Featured Image: Netflix

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