The Witcher is a fantasy drama television series created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich for Netflix. It is based on the book series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. Set on a fictional, medieval-inspired landmass known as the Continent, The Witcher explores the legend of Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Princess Ciri. It stars Henry Cavill and Liam Hemsworth as Geralt, with Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan. The first season, consisting of eight episodes, was released on Netflix on December 20, 2019, starring Cavill in the lead role. It was based on The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, which are collections of short stories that precede the main The Witcher saga. The second season, also consisting of eight episodes and based on the novel Blood of Elves, was released on December 17, 2021. The third season, which also consists of eight episodes and is based on the novel Time of Contempt, was released in two volumes on June 29 and July 27, 2023. Hemsworth took over the role of Geralt of Rivia in the fourth season, based on the novel Baptism of Fire, which was released on October 30, 2025, also with eight episodes. In April 2024, the series was renewed for its fifth and final season. An animated origin story film, Nightmare of the Wolf, was released on August 23, 2021. A prequel miniseries, Blood Origin, was released on December 25, 2022. A second animated film, Sirens of the Deep, was released on February 11, 2025. A feature-length special, The Rats: A Witcher Tale, was released on October 30, 2025.
Synopsis The story begins with Geralt of Rivia, Crown Princess Cirilla of Cintra, and the quarter-elf sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg at different points in time, exploring formative events that shape their characters throughout the first season, before eventually merging into a single timeline. Geralt and Ciri are linked by destiny since before she was born when he unknowingly demanded her as a reward for his services by invoking "the Law of Surprise". After the two finally meet, Geralt becomes the princess's protector and must help her and fight against her various pursuers to prevent her Elder Blood and powerful magic from being used for malevolent purposes and keep Ciri and their world safe.
Cast and characters
Main Henry Cavill (seasons 1–3) and Liam Hemsworth (season 4) as Geralt of Rivia, a magically enhanced monster hunter known as a "witcher". He is linked to the Cintran princess Ciri by "destiny". Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg, a quarter-elf sorceress and Geralt's closest ally Freya Allan as Ciri / "Falka", or Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, the crown princess of the kingdom of Cintra, who possesses the Elder Blood gene that is capable of granting her immense magical abilities Eamon Farren as Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach, nicknamed the "Black Knight", a Nilfgaardian army commander who leads the invasion of Cintra and the hunt for Ciri Joey Batey as Jaskier, a traveling bard who befriends Geralt and accompanies him on his journey MyAnna Buring as Tissaia de Vries (seasons 1–3; guest season 4), Yennefer's mentor and the Rectoress of Aretuza, the training academy for sorceresses Mimî M. Khayisa as Fringilla Vigo, a sorceress who trained alongside Yennefer and later aids the Nilfgaardian Empire Anna Shaffer as Triss Merigold, the court sorceress of the kingdom of Temeria Royce Pierreson as Istredd, an adept mage and historian who befriends Yennefer Wilson Mbomio as Dara (seasons 1–3), a refugee elf boy who befriends Ciri Mahesh Jadu as Vilgefortz of Roggeveen, a charismatic sorcerer who rallies the northern mages to halt the invading Nilfgaardian army. He later becomes the leader of the Brotherhood of Mages. Tom Canton as Filavandrel (seasons 2–3; guest season 1), the king of the elves and Francesca's husband Mecia Simson as Francesca Findabair (season 2–present), an elven sorceress, queen of the elves, and Filavandrel's wife, who has made it her mission to lead her people into freedom and independence Kim Bodnia (season 2) and Peter Mullan (guest season 4) as Vesemir, the oldest living witcher and Geralt's mentor and father figure Theo James has a vocal cameo in the first season as a young Vesemir. He reprises his role in the animated prequel film The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. Graham McTavish as Sigismund Dijkstra (season 3–present; recurring season 2), the head of Redanian Intelligence and advisor to the ruler of Redania. McTavish also voiced Deglan in the animated prequel Nightmare of the Wolf. Cassie Clare as Philippa Eilhart (season 3–present; guest season 2), the shapeshifting court sorceress of Redania and Dijkstra's ally Hugh Skinner as Prince Radovid (season 3–present), the prince of the kingdom of Redania and later Jaskier's lover Bart Edwards as Duny, the "Urcheon of Erlenwald" / Emperor Emhyr var Emreis (season 3–present; guest seasons 1–2), the ruler of the Nilfgaardian Empire and Ciri's father, who was once afflicted by a curse that transformed him into a hedgehog man until midnight Meng'er Zhang as Milva (season 4; guest season 3), a highly skilled archer and one of the only non-dryad inhabitants of the Brokilon Forest who joins Geralt on his journey Danny Woodburn as Zoltan Chivay (season 4), a dwarf warrior who befriends Geralt Christelle Elwin, Ben Radcliffe, Fabian McCallum, Aggy K. Adams, Connor Crawford, and Juliette Alexandra as Mistle, Giselher, Kayleigh, Iskra, Asse, and Reef (season 4; guest season 3), a young gang of street criminals known as the Rats who encounter Ciri Laurence Fishburne as Emiel Regis (season 4), a mysterious vampire and barber surgeon who accompanies Geralt
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