The fact that “The Witcher” season 3 will come was already clear before the start of season 2. TECHBOOK collects all the rumors and facts about the start, plot and cast of Netflix’s fantasy epic.
The Witcher is streaming giant Netflix’s biggest fantasy production to date. Based on the well-known books by the Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski, the series started in December 2019. The 2nd season followed two years later in December 2021. Despite partly subdued reviews, the series starring Henry Cavill was a great success for Netflix. Since several seasons were planned from the start and the book template also provides material for a lot more than previously shown, it was clear early on that fans could look forward to a sequel. We collect all the known rumors and the official facts about The Witcher Season 3.
When does The Witcher season 3 start?
After the shooting of the second season was turbulent and prolonged due to the pandemic, fans had to wait two years for the new episodes. “The Witcher” season 3 should have better luck in this regard. In fact, work on the sequel began back in April 2022. The shooting is expected to run until the end of August or beginning of September 2022. This means that on the one hand we probably cannot expect “The Witcher” season 3 before spring 2023, since the post-production of such series takes some time. On the other hand, it should also be much faster than Season 2.
If you miss the Witcher universe in the meantime, Netflix still has a lot to choose from. The streaming service is also expanding the franchise away from the big series. The animated film The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf was released in 2021. The film shows part of the prehistory of the witcher stronghold Kaer Morhen and Geralt’s mentor Vesemir. The events are even partially revisited in The Witcher Season 2. With “The Witcher: Blood Origin” a six-episode prequel series will be released in 2022, which shows the past of the continent and the creation of the first witcher.
The plot of The Witcher Season 3
In terms of content, the first two seasons are closely based on Sapkowski’s books. Season 1 summarizes the events of the two short story volumes “The Last Wish” and “The Sword of Providence”, while Season 2 processed parts of the first novel “The Legacy of the Elves”. However, some storylines such as that of the sorceress Yennefer or the development of the elves were added or constructed from hints in later books. Nevertheless, the books of course allow some conclusions about the plot of “The Witcher” season 3.
First synopsis of Netflix
In fact, there is already the first official information about the plot. Together with the first production image, Netflix released a short text with the most important cornerstones for “The Witcher” season 3.
As monarchs, mages and beasts of the continent compete to capture them, Geralt goes into hiding with Ciri of Cintra, determined to protect his reunited family from those who threaten to destroy them. Entrusted with Ciri’s magical training, Yennefer leads her to the sheltered fortress of Aretuza, where she hopes to learn more about the girl’s untapped powers; instead, they discover that they landed in a battlefield of political corruption, dark magic and betrayal. They must fight back, risk everything – or risk losing each other forever.
Netflix on Twitter
So, for one thing, The Witcher Season 3 brings us back to Aretuza. On the other hand, the political situation on the continent continues to deteriorate.
Open storylines from season 2
Attention, from here some follow spoiler to the previously released seasons and the novel! But we reveal as little as possible.
Season 2 left us with a nasty cliffhanger. The three protagonists Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer have finally found each other. It has been clear since Season 1 that Ciri has enormous mysterious powers. The showdown in season 2 made that clear again when the princess is possessed by Voleth Meir and devastates Kaer Morhen. Thanks to Yennefer, the demon leaves Ciri, only to subsequently become a member of the wild hunt To reveal.
This in turn gives us a big clue to The Witcher Season 3. The Wild Hunt is a mounted horde of cruel Aen Elle elves in the Witcher cosmos. Due to their sinister appearance and abilities, they are generally considered ghosts. Fans of the books and of course the extremely successful video games from CD Projekt Red know that the Wild Hunt will still play a very important role, which is now very likely to be built up in Season 3.
Also unresolved after season 2 is the problem with Yennefer’s magic and her relationship with the witcher Geralt. Now that the two and Ciri are finally together and we’ve already seen pictures from the set with the three actors, we’re looking forward to some scenes together. And also the tragic story of elves behind Francesca Findalbair is not over yet.
In addition, at the end of season 2, a big secret of the books was revealed: the identity of the Nilfgaardian Emperor Emhyr var Emreis. He is none other than Ciri’s father, whom we got to know from season 1 under the name Duny vom Erlenwald. Geralt and Pavetta were able to break the curse on him that made him look like a hedgehog. What is his motive and that of the other countries who all have their eyes on Ciri will also play a role in The Witcher Season 3.
The novel tells us that
Season 2 was mostly about the first of five novels, The Legacy of the Elves. However, the series adds a few elements to the book that make it difficult to predict how Netflix plans to continue these storylines.
In the novel, it escalates political situation further and further on the continent; a development that was already hinted at in “The Witcher” Season 2. Meanwhile, Geralt investigates who might be after Ciri, while Yennefer advances Ciri’s magical training.
Also, there is an important one turning point and a great gathering of many magicians. In this event, both Ciri’s fate and that of the continent takes an unexpected turn and supposed allies turn out to be enemies. All of these storylines were prepared by Netflix for Season 2, which is why said meeting is probably the season finale of The Witcher Season 3.
The Cast of The Witcher Season 3
So far, no prominent departure from the series is known. So it can be assumed that all the actors will return to their roles, especially the main actors around Henry Cavill.
- Henry Cavill as Geralt of Riva, witcher and foster father of Ciri
- Freya Alan as Cirilla “Ciri” von Cintra, princess of the kingdom of Cintra, foster daughter of Geralt, has special powers
- Anya Chalotra as Yennefer von Vengerberg, powerful sorceress and lover of Geralt
- Joey Batey as Delphinium, well-known bard and friend of Geralt
- My Anna Buring as Tissaia de Vries, powerful sorceress and Yennefer’s instructor, leader of Aretuza
- Mahesh Jadu as Vilgefortz of Roggeveen, powerful sorcerer
- Eamon Farren as Cahir aep Ceallach, disgraced Nilfgaardian
- Mimi Ndiweni as Fringilla Vigo, sorceress in the service of Nilfgaard
- Anna Shaffer as Triss Merigold, fellow sorceress
- Mecia Simson as Francesca Findalbair, elven mage and queen
- Tom Canton as Filavandrel aén Fidháil, leader of elves
- Bart Edwards as Emhyr var Emreis, Emperor of Nilfgaard and Ciri’s father
- Chris Fulton as Rience, evil magician who uses forbidden fire magic
- Graham McTavish as Sigismund Djikstra, chief spy of Redania
- Cassie Clare as Philippa Eilhart, powerful sorceress
It is not yet known whether the surviving witchers of Kaer Morhen will make an appearance again. This is particularly likely with Geralt’s mentor Vesemir:
- Kim Bodnia as Vesemir, witcher and trainer on Kaer Morhen, Geralt’s foster father
- Yasen Atour as Coën, witcher
- Paul Bullion as Lambert, witcher
In addition, there are already a few confirmed additions to The Witcher Season 3.
- Menger Zhang as Milva, huntress from the Brokilon, excellent sharpshooter
- Christiane Elwin as Mistle, a member of a rebellious youth gang
- Robbie Amell as Gallatin, warrior of the Scoia’tael (elves)
- Hugh Skinner as Radovid of Redania, Prince of Redania and Vizimir’s little brother
- Rochelle Rose as Margarita Laux-Antille, sorceress
- Saffiyya Ingar as Keira Metz, sorceress
- Jim Sturgeon as Applegatt, royal messenger
- Sean Cernow
- frances Pooley
What the cast tells us about the plot
With regard to the plot of “The Witcher” Season 3, the newcomers are particularly interesting. The fact that Meng’er Zhang was signed as Milva suggests that Geralt’s tour group is slowly forming. The young archer will accompany the witcher on one or the other adventure. Christelle Elwin as Mistle also makes you prick up your ears. The young woman belongs to a criminal youth gang called “The Rats” and plays an important role in the books, especially for Ciri. This reinforces the notion that the grand gathering and the first climax of the books is set to take place in Season 3.