These days, the Witcher series is a veritable gold mine. The world built by Andrzej Sapkowski seems to be expanding at an exponential rate, what with the anime prequel and the several spinoffs currently in development.
Henry Cavill’s flagship show, of course, remains the focus of everyone’s attention, and not just because Geralt is attractive. The good news is that Netflix has already confirmed that season three will be coming before season two has even aired.
Since the announcement was made at Netflix’s TUDUM event in September 2021, there has been a lot more information on season three. We’re heading back to the continent to find out what’s next in The Witcher season three, so saddle up your trusty steed and stock up on gold.
The Witcher season 3 Potential Release Date
After a season’s release, Netflix normally waits a few months to announce a renewal, which leaves viewers eagerly awaiting the next season’s release. For those who haven’t seen The Witcher 2 yet, it was accompanied by the wonderful news that season 3 is nearly finished.
As of the end of 2021, Hissrich told TechRadar the writer’s room for Season 3 would be completed: “In fact, this is our final week in the writers’ room,” Hissrich remarked. “The scripting phase is almost complete, and it’s wonderful. The Time of Contempt is my favorite book in the series, therefore I’m excited about how the season is progressing.
She went on to say, “I feel like seasons 1 and 2 have been laying the playing field for everything amazing that’s about to happen. “However, the creative process has just begun. As soon as we get our hands on the scripts, we’ll start bringing in the directors as well as the performers, and we’ll really get down to business and make sure this is the best season yet.”
Per PC Gamer, the crew of The Witcher season 3 began filming in January, and the show’s cast and staff shared photographs of site reconnaissance and preparation.
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What could ‘The Witcher’ season 3 be about?
So, here’s a short rundown of where everyone is in Season 2: After Ciri dispatched Voleth through the monolith to the demon world, Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri are all reunited and secure at Kaer Morhen (for now). Also, the Wraiths of Mörhogg (aka the Wild Hunt, in simplest terms the WCU’s horsemen of the apocalypse) have invited Ciri to join them and cause the end of the world, which has them reeling. Fortunately, Yennefer has regained her power, and she and Geralt aim to teach Ciri to be a savior of the world rather than a destroyer.
Beyond the core group, it appears that everyone else on The Continent has their sights set on Ciri. To prevent the end of the world, the Brotherhood intends to assassinate her and anyone else who stands in her way. Rania’s leaders seek to acquire Ciri so that they can claim Cintra and become the most powerful kingdom in the world. Because of her Elder bloodline, the elves believe Ciri will be their salvation. For his part, the leader of Nilfgaard’s primary aggressor nation has a personal interest in Ciri. When Emperor Emhyr, also known as the White Flame, turns out to be Ciri’s father, who had been assumed dead, everyone is shocked. In Ciri, all paths lead.
Season 3 of The Witcher will continue to adapt major events from a book while also introducing fresh storylines and character enhancements. A number of short stories were adapted for the first season (Season 1). The third season will be based on Sapkowski’s second full book, The Time of Contempt. After Yennefer and Ciri are reunited in Season 2, they travel to Aretuza, where the Brotherhood’s headquarters are located. A coup is staged in Contempt, causing the main trio to split off once more.
If anything, Hissrich has already hinted to a future plot point to Polygon, while highlighting a significant departure from the source material, Blood of Elves, that season 2 will make from this season.
“In season two, viewers will see that we put a lot more emphasis on the elf storyline, which is less significant in [the major novel being adapted], Blood of Elves. That being said, I know that the Scoia’tael, an army of elves that fights for Nilfgaard, will be introduced in season three. They also don’t look good. It’s a bleak and gruesome tale.
Because of this, I want to make sure that we understand and humanize their role in the war. What’s the origin of these people? I don’t know what they are fighting for. It doesn’t matter if they get disoriented along the way. What would you call the setting of this story? Consequently, we’re always looking at the Witcher as a whole.”
“I think there’s an opportunity to develop the Nenneke relationship a little further,” Cavill told IGN, “to be genuine to the novels.” However, if the story allows, I’d love to continue working with the Witchers. For me, it’s all about making sure that the tale unfolds without too many distractions or side events obscuring the path of the protagonists.”
This is what Anya Chalotra (Yennefer) remarked in the same interview: “It’s habitual. I mean, isn’t it?” This woman has lived a certain kind of life and follows certain norms, and that is the end of that. She doesn’t believe in anyone anymore, therefore it will be difficult for her to simply dive into a new way of being. Even if she’d learned to think things through, in a world like this, you’ve got to watch your own back.
The Witcher season 3 cast: Who’s in it?
All things being equal, we can probably expect the following actors to join Henry Cavill for season three (because without Geralt, there isn’t really a show, right?).
- Freya Allan as Cirilla AKA Ciri
- Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg
- Joey Batey as Jaskier
- Royce Pierreson as Istredd
- Anna Shaffer as Triss Merigold
- Kim Bodnia as Vesemir
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The Witcher Season 3 plot: What will happen?
Even if you don’t care about money, “S3 is massive,” says Lauren S Hissrich of all people, and she should know. In addition, she’s aware of the budget, but she’s not willing to give that information, which is understandable.
I asked a good friend of mine what I should ask someone with whom I don't share world views. He wisely wondered if we share many of same *fears* but approach them from different directions. Thus our chasm.@TheQuartering, what are you most scared and confused about in the world?
— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) January 15, 2022
Ciri’s destiny as a world-destroyer or savior is the primary emphasis of the upcoming episodes following season two’s tumultuous finale if we’re lucky enough to have season four. Although Ciri’s own father (who is now deceased) is assembling forces to exploit the princess’s authority, she has the support of Geralt and Yennefer.
Looking for a more in-depth look at the final episode of season two? Our lengthy conclusion is stated in detail right here.
Season three of The Witcher will be based on The Time of Contempt, the second book in the Witcher narrative, according to Hissrich. A coup in Aretuza separates Yennefer, Ciri, and Geralt from each other in that book’s plot. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that this blueprint can vary during the translation from the website to the screen.
Cavill told Netflix’s Geeked channel after the second season premiered that things will be much different for Geralt and Yennefer after that massive betrayal:
This is a difficult situation to come back from,” he says. It’s going to take a lot of effort to get over this one. Geralt’s real growth this season has been in his ability to admit that he cannot achieve this on his own.
As Anya Chalotra said, Yennefer will have a lot to learn in the future.
She cowers, and she’s spent her life according to the rules she sets for herself, and that’s Yen, and she doesn’t trust anyone. It’s routine, isn’t it?” She may have learned to think about things more thoroughly, but it’s going to be a challenge for her to just start anew.”
In November 2021, we asked Joey Batey about what he expects Jaskier will accomplish in the third season of The Witcher.
This is a tough one,” he admitted. “I have complete faith in Lauren’s (Hissrich) vision. You can see how she is updating and modernizing old works from the ’80s and incorporating characteristics of our modern lives into them. They are no longer interested in seeing dragons. How does xenophobia play out in this continent, and how do dragons fit in? During a time of conflict, what is life like?
“She does an amazing job of reimagining political arguments as fantastical tales. What I most anticipate from Season 3 is a continuance of this and a deeper dive into the topics that matter to the audience.”
Freya Allan’s response was more detailed when we posed the same question to her:
“All I want to see is [Ciri] develop into a ferocious warrior. That is of primary importance. The day she receives a real silver sword with weight and not a broomstick, I will be overjoyed [laughs]. This is a day I can’t wait for and I’m sure Ciri can’t wait either. Then we’ll all feel giddy at the same time.”
Speaking to Radio Times, Freya stated that season three scripts have been leaked to her. “It’s an exhilarating experience. I have high hopes for this year’s campaign.”
However, not everyone will be happy with the outcome. Season three will have “a lot of action, some death… some death,” as showrunner Lauren S Hissrich revealed during an appearance on a panel at the Lucca Comics & Games Festival in Italy. Is she talking to the death of a prominent character or to a classic case of monster-slaying? We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
To make matters worse, Hissrich recently spoke with Polygon on the implications of the elves’ increasing visibility in season three.
“Season two has a strong emphasis on the elf storyline, which is less significant in [the major novel being adapted], Blood of Elves. This will be apparent to viewers. That being said, I know that the Scoia’tael, an army of elves that fights for Nilfgaard, will be introduced in season three. They also don’t look good. It’s a bleak and gruesome tale.
“As a result, I’m concerned about how we’re portraying their role in the conflict. What’s the origin of these people? I don’t know what they are fighting for. It doesn’t matter if they get disoriented along the way. What would you call the setting of this story? As a result, we’re always keeping an eye on the big picture of The Witcher.”
But don’t hold your breath waiting for this to be finalized. Despite the fact that the writers’ room currently has a strategy in place, Hissrich promised fans that she will consider the feedback from season two and make changes as necessary going forward.
According to Lauren’s Twitter message on December 21, the following is true:
“Dec. 21 is today. After working on the program for two and a half years, I’m curious to hear what people think of it now that it’s out (not just critics). Understatement of the century. I’m powerless to resist, “She shared her thoughts on social media.
Another season would reveal more about Eskel’s death and the friendship between Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri, she teased.
“It is important for me to reassure them that I am listening and that they are not yelling into an empty space. To go into an in-depth dispute over why Eskel died or when G/Y/C will reunite, I don’t have the time right now or should. (S3). (Psst S3).”
There have been a few images of the set from season three from producer Steven Gaub, but he hasn’t revealed any major new locations or situations:
Season three of The Witcher will have a condensed timeline, as has been the case for the previous two seasons, so expect this to be the case as well.
This season, Hissrich explains, is all about the “story that we want to tell” (via The Wrap). “Because of this, it’s a good example. Non-linear plots were unnecessary in season two. Because of this, we used a linear strategy that allowed us to experiment with many aspects of visions and flashbacks that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. Season three is one of the best yet, in my opinion.”
“In fact, I think The Time of Contempt might be adapted quite readily for this project. There’s a tonne of activity and jaw-dropping sights when you get there. As a result, we’re letting that drive our narrative. Season three, for example, is set in a remarkably condensed time period. Because it isn’t necessary, very little time passes.”
Don’t anticipate the show to continue after the books have been published. Andrzej Sapkowski, on the other hand, is a little more prolific with his main series than George R. R. Martin (sorry George).
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According to Hissrich, “I’ve always said that I want to end our stories at the same spot as Andrzej Sapkowski closed his. “After his intended demise, I don’t see the point in continuing to tell stories about him. To make matters even funnier, since we began working on the series, he’s published two additional novels. We’re attempting to be a little more flexible in our approach.
“I’ve always said that as long as there is an audience for the program, I will continue to compose it. Currently, there appears to be a lot of interest in the topic. However, some of that is due to the expansion of the cosmos we’re creating. So we may continue to tell Sapkowski’s stories through the anime films, or with the just-completed spin-off.”
The Witcher season 3 trailer: When can I watch it?
Even Yennefer couldn’t conjure a trailer from thin air, but we’ll keep you updated when Netflix releases more videos.
The Witcher Season 3 FAQ
Who will be Geralt in season 3?
Which actors and actresses from the first two seasons of The Witcher will return for the third season? This season’s cast has not yet been revealed by Netflix. Even so, we know that Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, Anya Chalotra, and Joey Batey will return in their respective roles as Geralt, Ciri, Yennefer, and Jaskier.
Will there be a Witcher 4?
It has been confirmed by CD Projekt Red that there will be a new Witcher game, if not The Witcher 4. We’re excited to announce that a new saga for The Witcher will begin with the release of the game’s next installment, which is currently in development.
How many seasons of The Witcher will there be?
In September 2021, Netflix will announce the third season of The Witcher as part of its TUDUM event, which will be streamed online. A release date for the third film has yet to be set, but it may be as far as another 18 months away, with the next installment arriving in 2023 at the earliest.