Upon a long list of delayed TV shows and movies, Netflix’s The Witcher has finally returned to our screens. But what’s coming next is even more exciting.
Andrzej Sapkowski book series The Witcher was originally written in 1986 before it was developed into the overwhelmingly popular game series.
Most recently, it was developed into a Netflix series starring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in 2019. Alongside Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg and Freya Allan as Ciri, the series took the world by storm.
Last week, after multiple filming delays, Geralt and co. returned to continue their quests through the monster filled continent.
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The series was everything we hoped for. Full of monster slaying and heart-aching moments, the twists and turns were non-stop.
But having finished season 2, one thing is clear: it’s only just getting started.
With multiple plot threads and spin-offs in the works, let’s break down what we know of the future of The Witcher…
Spoilers Below!
Firstly, a name that gets dropped several times before their grand reveal in the final episode is the Wild Hunt. Feared antagonists of the books and the game, it was a thrill to see these looming warriors coming for Ciri.
Witcher showrunner and executive producer Lauren Schmidt Hissrich spoke to IGN when promoting the new series and spoke briefly about the future plans of the Wild Hunt.
“We wanted to make sure we mentioned the Wild Hunt in season one” and called them The Witcher’s ‘Thanos’. We’re to start “beginning to understand where they came from and what they want. And so, like all characters in Sapkowski novels, we’re going to get a little bit deeper into them so they’re not just the evil skeletal bad guys”.
Another key story that unfolds throughout the series is Ciri’s untapped powers and mysterious origins. Though her will she save the world or destroy the world story was compelling, it was her unknown bloodline that caught our attention.
The grand reveal in the final moments of the episode is that Ciri’s father is still alive and is the ‘White Flame’ that rules the opposing Nilfgaardian Empire. Strangely, in the books, that reveal is left till much later. Speaking with Variety, Schmidt explained they wanted to reveal it earlier to “[introduce] him as a real character” to ensure the “depth of his threat” was understood.
With Yennfer’s power returned and united with Geralt and Ciri, the family dynamic set up in this series will further be explored. Schmidt said that “only together are they going to be able to protect [Ciri] and make sure she’s safe. Also, Geralt’s “neutrality” will be pushed and will ask us “What happens when the people he cares about most are on the line and how does he start to shift?”
Like any good franchise, The Witcher is developing a universe of characters and many series of possibilities.
The Witcher: Nightmare Of The Wolf
Earlier this year, Netflix released the animated film The Witcher: Nightmare Of The Wolf which explored the life of Vesemir before he joined Geralt in season 2. Though not a vital watch, season 2 was scattered with little references to the Witcher Sr.’s story.
The Witcher: Blood Origin
And it’s full steam ahead from here. Later this year, The Witcher: Blood Origin will join Netflix (Which fans can find a sneaky trailer for at the end of season 2). The series will explore the continent before the mysterious event that forced humans, elves and monsters to inhabit the same world.
The Witcher: ‘Family Friendly’
After that, being developed is a more friendlier spin-off that points in a “direction of optimism”, rather than the “harder decisions” made in the mothership series.
And of course, season 3 is also in the works.
Joey Batey (Jaskier) has confirmed they are “moving almost immediately into season three next year”.
If you’re a Witcher fan, you’ve got plenty of new adventures coming your way.
If you haven’t checked out season 2 (or 1!) of The Witcher yet, watch the trailer below.
(Then watch the series!)
