David Farnor | On 11, Oct 2018

Netflix is rounding out its cast for The Witcher, with the pivotal roles of Ciri and Yennefer filled, alongside lead Henry Cavill.

Based on the best-selling fantasy series by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher is an epic tale of fate and family. The Mission Impossible – Fallout and Justice League star will lead the cast of series as Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, who struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. But when destiny hurtles him toward a powerful sorceress, and a young princess with a dangerous secret, the three must learn to navigate the increasingly volatile continent together.

Ciri, Princess of Cintra, will be played by Freya Allan (The War of the Worlds, Into The Badlands). Other characters from the court at Cintra include Queen Calanthe (Jodhi May, Game of Thrones, Genius), and her husband, the knight Eist (Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Fortitude), along with the druid Mousesack (Adam Levy, Knightfall, Snatch). The sorceress Yennefer will be played by Anya Chalotra (The ABC Murders, Wanderlust). Leading the magical academy at Aretuza is Tissaia (MyAnna Buring, Ripper Street, Kill List), and Yennefer is joined by other novice sorcerers Fringilla (Mimi Ndiweni, Black Earth Rising), Sabrina (Therica Wilson-Read, Profile). Also joining the cast is Millie Brady (The Last Kingdom, Teen Spirit) as the outcast Princess Renfri.

The Witcher showrunner and Executive Producer, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (Marvel’s Daredevil, Marvel’s The Defenders, Umbrella Academy) says: “Casting The Witcher has been one of the biggest projects of my career, and undoubtedly the most exciting. I can’t wait for these wonderful actors to bring such iconic and loved characters to life on screen, and to share these special stories with viewers all over the world.”

Alik Sakharov (House of Cards, Game of Thrones) will direct four episodes, including the first episode, and Alex Garcia Lopez (Marvel’s Luke Cage, Utopia) and Charlotte Brändström (Outlander, Counterpart, Disparue) will direct two episodes each.

 

Henry Cavill to star in Netflix’s The Witcher

4th September 2018

Henry Cavill will star in Netflix’s The Witcher saga.

Based on the best-selling fantasy series, The Witcher is an epic tale of fate and family. The Mission Impossible – Fallout and Justice League star will lead the cast of series as Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, who struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. But when destiny hurtles him toward a powerful sorceress, and a young princess with a dangerous secret, the three must learn to navigate the increasingly volatile continent together.

Cavill is “a massive fan” of Andrzej Sapkowski’s series of fantasy short stories and novels about the witcher. The series is directed by Alex Garcia Lopez (Marvel’s Luke Cage, Utopia), Charlotte Brändström (Outlander) and Alik Sakharov (House of Cards, Game of Thrones), with Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (Marvel’s Daredevil, Marvel’s The Defenders, Umbrella Academy) serving as showrunner. Sakharov and Hissrich will exec-produce the series.

Netflix has ordered an eight-episode first season.

 

Lauren S. Hissrich: The Witcher Netflix series will not be watered down

9th January 2018

The Witcher’s writer Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has promised fans that the upcoming Netflix series will not be watered down.

“There will be no watering down. I give you my word,” she assured fans on Twitter, while posting a picture of maps and working on the pilot for the show.

Hissrich was appointed to adapt the books for the streaming giant in December, Variety reports. She brings with her a lot of experience and clout, from co-exec credits on Marvel’s The Defenders and Daredevil to work on Starz’s Power too. Even though she has only just been named showrunner, she is already facing some backlash from a minor group of fans online, but has been supported by many more.

I know it’s your passion talking, and for a tv show, fan passion the best thing in the world. Thanks for the encouragement. https://t.co/mbsJUXH1NQ

— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) December 29, 2017

“So many questions about #TheWitcher so here’s what I can say,” she added. “In TV time, it’s really early. There’s a long path ahead of casting and locations and world-building. Right now, it’s me, the books, lots of great and knowledgeable partners, and my well-loved computer. We’re doing it.”

The project was first announced by Netflix last May, when they bought the rights to Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy franchise. With eight novels and three video games under its belt, Netflix will be hoping to turn the series into its very own Game of Thrones, just as HBO prepares to debut the final season of its epic in 2019. Indeed, Amazon is also eyeing up the whole opening up in the wake of the HBO titan ending, with a recent deal to buy the rights to The Lord of the Rings for a new TV series.

The Expanse’s Sean Daniel and Jason Brown are executive producers on The Witcher, along with Tomek Baginski (Oscar-nominated short The Cathedral, BAFTA-winning The Fallen Art) and Jarek Sawko (The Fallen Art, Another Day of Life) from Platige Image, the Polish production and visual effects company.

With Hissrich already taking no prisoners, the show looks set to be in good hands.

If you feel the need to speak about me again, at least refer to me as a power-hungry broad, as well. That’s more accurate than “girl.” Thanks! https://t.co/W5ZZq87tg8

— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) December 31, 2017

The hate is nothing compared to all of the love and support I feel from Poland! ♥️ https://t.co/4YohsvTfbr

— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) January 1, 2018

 

The Witcher series in the works at Netflix

17th May 2017

A new TV series based on The Witcher is in the works at Netflix.

The English-drama series will be adapted Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy franchise, which spans eight novels and has been translated into over 20 languages and, perhaps most famously, spawned a major video game franchise (pictured).

Now, the Witcher Saga is heading to the screen in a different sense, as Netflix develops a programme to introduce a wave of new fans to the “witchers”, hunters who develop supernatural abilities at a young age to battle deadly monsters.

“Andrzej Sapkowski has created a rich and memorable world, at once magical and familiar,” says Erik Barmack, Netflix Vice President, international series. “We couldn’t be more excited about bringing Netflix members around the world.”

“I’m thrilled that Netflix will be doing an adaptation of my stories, staying true to the source material and the themes that I have spent over thirty years writing,” adds Sapkowski. “I’m excited about our efforts together, as well as the team assembled to shepherd these characters to life.”

The Expanse’s Sean Daniel and Jason Brown are executive producers, along with Tomek Baginski (Oscar-nominated short The Cathedral, BAFTA-winning The Fallen Art) and Jarek Sawko (The Fallen Art, Another Day of Life) from Platige Image, the Polish production and visual effects company.

“The Witcher stories follow an unconventional family that comes together to fight for truth in a dangerous world,” comment Sean Daniel and Jason Brown. “The characters are original, funny and constantly surprising and we can’t wait to bring them to life at Netflix, the perfect home for innovative storytelling.”

We started production of the series based on “The Witcher” in coop. with @NetflixUS and SeanDanielCompany. Tomek #Bagiński one of the dir! pic.twitter.com/hYXWCHySOF

— Platige Image (@PlatigeImage) May 17, 2017

“There is a moral and intellectual depth in these books which goes beyond genre,” note Baginski and Sawko. “It is a story about today and today’s challenges, hidden under a fantasy cover. It is a story about us, about the monster and the hero inside all of our hearts.”

Andrzej Sapkowski will serve as a creative consultant on the series. Bagiński will also direct at least one episode of each season.

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