‘The Witcher’ on Netflix: Everything We Know

Netflix is diving into the world of video games, and it’s not looking back. Earlier this year the streaming giant announced that its next big project would be an adaptation of the Witcher video game series. And even though on-screen video game adaptations have had a terrible track record, there are all sorts of reasons to get excited for this live-action series.

Set in a sprawling world filled with magic, The Witcher looks like it’s aiming to be Netflix’s Game of Thrones replacement. And considering Netflix has been responsible for one of the few actually good video game adaptations brought to Hollywood — the Castlevania series — it feels safe to approach this series with some cautious optimism. We’ll be updating this piece as we learn more. But for now here’s your brief guide to the Witcher universe and everything we currently know about the upcoming series.

What is The Witcher?

Written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher was originally a series of fantasy short stories and novels. Sapkowski’s world focuses on “witchers,” monster hunters who can develop supernatural abilities at a young age to battle their foes. Much of the Witcher universe revolves around the story of Geralt of Rivia, an especially strong witcher with a deceptively brutal demeanor.

It was the “Law of Surprises,” a magical law that says if someone cannot pay for the services of a witcher then the witcher is allowed to take something the debtor doesn’t know they have, that first caused Geralt to start his witcher training. But the law drastically changed his life a second time after he unknowingly demanded the unborn child of princess Pavetta and her husband Duny. Geralt ended up rejecting that child on the grounds that women cannot become witchers, but it seems as though destiny had other plans for Geralt and Ciri. After crossing paths on multiple occasions, Geralt eventually took Ciri in. The book series largely follows the oddly paternal Geralt as he cares for and protects his unofficial daughter.

The Witcher series has been adapted into several video games. But it wasn’t until the release of the critically acclaimed Witcher 3 in 2015 that the property gained mainstream international attention. The open world game follows Geralt of Riviva and was praised for its Skyrim-esque vast universe and its choice-based playing system. There are several different endings to Witcher 3 that can be unlocked based on what the player chooses throughout the main narrative.

Who’s involved in Netflix’s Witcher series?

The adaptation comes from  Lauren Schmidt Hissrich. The producer and screenwriter is likely best known for her work on Daredevil and The Defenders. Sean Daniel, Jason Brown, Tomek Baginski, and Jarek Sawko will also be serving as executive producers.

The Witcher series has even already chosen its directors. Alik Sakharov, Alex Garcia Lopez and Charlotte Brändström are set to direct. The Netflix series has also been recruiting visual effects specialists and art directors from Vikings and Black Sails.

How many episodes will Netflix’s Witcher series be?

At the moment the plan is to release an eight-episode first season. It’s unknown when the series is set to premiere.

Who’s going to play Geralt of Rivia?

That would be Superman himself, Henry Cavill. At this point it’s unclear if Cavill left the DC universe to dive into this expansive and magic-loving world. However, it seems possible.

Regardless get ready to likely see a white-haired Cavill. Geralt is so known for his pale skin and white hair he’s known in the Elder Speech as “Gwynbleidd”, the White Wolf. Check out the tweet above to see the first screen test of Cavill as Geralt. Here’s hoping that Cavill gets some more believable scruff going; god knows he has a weird history with onscreen facial hair.

We also now know who’s going to be playing young Geralt. According to IGN Tristan Ruggeri will play Geralt of Rivia as a child. This is Ruggeri’s first major role, and if we know anything about witcher training it’s probably going to be an intense one.

Who’s going to play Ciri?

We’ve found our daughter figure and the Princess of Cintra. Freya Allan has been cast in the role. The actress is likely best known for her work in War of the Worlds and Into the Badlands.

Who else has been cast in Netflix’s Witcher series?

The fantasy is starting to really flesh out. In addition to Ciri, the series has also cast its Yennefer, one of the main protagonists of the video game series. She will be played by Anya Chalotra, best known for her work in The ABC Murders and Wanderlust.

The series has also found its Queen Calanthe in Jodhi May (Game of Thrones, Genius); her husband the knight Eist, who will be played by Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (Fortitude); and the druid Mousesack, who will be portrayed by Adam Levy (Knightfall, Snatch). MyAnna Buring, Mimi Ndiweni, Therica Wilson-Read, and Millie Brady have also joined the series. Buring (Ripper Street, Kill List) will play Tissaia, the head of the magical academy. Ndiweni (Black Earth Rising) and Wilson-Read (Profile) will be playing the novice sorcerers Fringilla and Sabrina, respectively. And Brady (The Last Kingdom, Teen Spirit) will be portraying Princess Renfri, an outcast.

The upcoming fantasy series has also cast its Triss Merigold. Anna Shaffer of Harry Potter fame will portray the role. Triss is a talented witch in the series as well as one of Geralt’s love interests.