Netflix has given the green light to a second season of The Witcher, the adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novels (which is arguably better known for the popular game adaptations).
Despite receiving a mixed reception from fans and critics, the first season of The Witcher still managed to end up one of the most popular series on Netflix at the end of 2019 – we imagine the catchy bard song definitely played a part in that.
We’ve rounded up everything we know about season 2; including the cast, plot, release date and more. If you want to know what other big streaming shows you have to look forward to, then check out our piece of the best shows coming to Netflix.
Assassin’s Creed is another upcoming videogame adaptation on Netflix.
The Witcher season 2 release date
Though nothing firm is on the cards just yet, we highly suspect that season 2 won’t be arriving until 2021 at the very earliest. that showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich had considered a late 2020 release, but that in the end it would be too much of a stretch to hit that date.
Filming did kick off earlier in 2020 (as confirmed by ) but the pandemic put a halt to this for a while after Kristofer Hivju tested positive for the virus.
Production has now wrapped on season two, so now the release date all depends on post-production and editing.
That’s a wrap on Season 2! The White Wolf awaits you back on The Continent
— The Witcher (@witchernetflix)
April 2, 2021
that she’s got a lot more mapped out beyond season 2. The story could in fact last up to seven seasons, which would equate to around twenty years worth of content when you add in the time for filming, production and post-production.
According to , there was also an industry listing in the Writer’s Guild of America West for season 3 of The Witcher. The entry listed Lauren Hissrich as an executive producer, and a production date of 2020-2021.
This isn’t officially confirmed, but it would make sense considering the restrictions that the pandemic has brought about that the cast and crew would want to plough on with as much as they can whilst they have the opportunity.
How to watch the next series of The Witcher
As this is a Netflix Original, it should come as no surprise that it’s exclusive to the streaming service. If you’ve not yet got a Netflix subscription, take a look at our list of the best streaming services to see how it stacks up to the competition.
Who’s in the cast for season two?
It should come as no surprise that the three main characters will be reprising their roles. Henry Cavill will return as Geralt of Rivia, Freya Allan will return as Princess Ciri, and Anya Chalotra will return as Yennefer.
Other major supporting characters set to come back include Joey Batey as Jaskier (we’re already anticipating all the new songs), Anna Shaffer as Triss, and Eamon Farren as Cahir.
Netflix has also announced some new cast members, which features Kristofer Hivju – the actor who played Tormund Giantsbane in Game of Thrones. It’s safe to say we’re pretty stoked.
The Continent just got a little bigger. Here’s the new cast of #TheWitcher Season 2:
Yasen Atour as Coen
Agnes Bjorn as Vereena
Paul Bullion as Lambert
Kristofer Hivju as Nivellen
Thue Ersted Rasmussen as Eskel
Aisha Fabienne Ross as Lydia
Mecia Simson as Francesca— NX (@NXOnNetflix)
February 21, 2020
Since then things have changed a little though, as scheduling conflicts have forced the show to recast Eskel, despite the fact that he’d already shot some scenes. He’ll now be played by .
“Sadly, due to the rescheduling because of Covid-19, I will not be portraying Eskel in The Witcher,” Rasmussen . “I’m sure season 2 will be absolutely amazing and now I get to watch it as a fanboy instead of as a Witcher.”
Netflix has also confirmed that Killing Eve actor Kim Bodnia will play Vesemir, arguably the biggest character from the books that we haven’t properly met yet on the show – he’s the mentor who trained Geralt up as a Witcher in the first place. Bodnia seems like good casting, though no doubt it will disappoint fans hoping for a certain Skywalker to take on the role.
In December, some more casting announcements were made. Emily Pollet (best known for Emmerdale) will play a codenamed character, currently listed as Human Mother G. Rebecca Hanssen (best known for Dixi) meanwhile will play Queen Meve of Lyria and Rivia.
Newcomer Cayvan Coates and Peaky Blinders star James Eeles have also been cast in unnamed roles for the season.
The Witcher season 2 trailers
Whilst there isn’t a dedicated trailer for season 2, Netflix did release a fun compilation of Geralt fighting monsters for Halloween – and if you pause on 0:15 and 0:30, you’ll notice two monsters that we’ve never seen before. Essentially, this is our first footage of season 2, even if it is very fleeting.
You can watch the video below:
There was also a video about season two wrapping production, along with a few teasers for season 2, which you can see below:
What will the plot of season 2 be?
Whilst the first season drew inspiration mainly from the short stories The Last Wish and The Sword of Destiny, the second season will continue to combine elements from these stories, mixed in with parts of the novel Blood of Elves.
This means that we’re likely to see Geralt and Ciri’s father-daughter like bond develop as he begins training her, and we’ll likely explore the princesses elven heritage, her hidden powers and magical abilities that were all hinted at in the first season. We’ll also see a continuation of the battle between the two kingdoms, and the repercussions that this has on the rest of the continent.
One major change that’s planned for the next season is the structure of the narrative, as Hissrich that the multiple timelines will no longer be present now that the storylines have confirmed.
In addition, the same interview confirmed that this season will focus more on the family bond between the characters. Hissrich discussed how we can expect the dynamic between Geralt and Ciri to unfold; “They will argue. They will fight. It will be two strangers coming together for the first time and being told, ‘Nope, you’re gonna be together forever.’ I think that their growth together into being a father and daughter is one of my favourite parts of the series.”
The first season also briefly introduced us to Triss, who in the games is one of the possible love interests for Geralt – the other being Yennefer. During the storyline of the games, players are forced to choose between the two to pursue a romance, so it could be possible that we’ll see Geralt face a similar dilemma in season 2.
The Witcher: Nightmare Of The Wolf movie tie-in
If waiting until 2021 for more content from The Witcher seems like your personal version of hell, then you’re in luck. Netflix announced on Twitter that an anime movie called The Witcher: Nightmare Of The Wolf is currently in development.
The rumors are true, a new Witcher story is in the works! The anime film, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, will take us back to a new threat facing the Continent. Brought to you by the Witcher team @LHissrich and @BeauDeMayo, and Studio Mir the studio behind Legend of Korra.
— NX (@NXOnNetflix)
January 22, 2020
Beau DeMayo is writing the screenplay – the same writer who also worked on episode three of The Witcher on Netflix, Betrayer Moon, alongside Lauren Schmidt Hissrich. This feature will also be developed by the Korean company Mir animation studio, the studio behind Voltron: Legendary Defender on Netflix.
