Everything you need to know about 'The Witcher' and its upcoming season

Monsters, mutated hunters, witches, and sorceresses fascinate readers of all age groups. If you love fantasy fiction, then here we bring to you Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series, 'The Witcher', which has been adapted into a web series of the same title and is ready for its second season. Read on to know more about 'The Witcher' and the hype surrounding it here:
1.The premise
Launched on a popular digital streaming platform in 2019, 'The Witcher' is a drama series that revolves primarily around three characters- The Witcher, who is a mutated monster hunter, a sorceress called Yennefer and the Princess of Cintra, Cirilla. Geralt of Rivia, or the witcher, is a mutated hunter who is trying to find his destiny and survive in the world that his mother left him in. Yennefer is the ‘ugly’ sorceress who barters her fertility for beauty and is now bent upon recovering the latter. As different as their journeys in life are, Geralt and Yennefer happen to meet and fall in love, while Cirilla becomes a part of the same story gradually.
2. Possible sources of inspiration
In addition to the book series, which stands as the primary and most reliable inspiration for the show, it is also preceded by a video game of the same name and the similarities in both the stories have been hard to miss by the audience. It is also believed to have been inspired by a series of Irish novels and short stories!
3. Season 2 release date
The first season of the show aired in December 2019 and received acclaim from viewers and critics, alike. The second season of the show was announced with a trailer in July 2021. The announcement created quite a stir as the long awaited date was finally announced and the trailer looked extremely promising. The first season comprised eight, hour-long episodes and the second season is expected to have the same. It will release on December 17, 2021, finally laying the viewers’ curiosity to rest and showing the events that follow Geralt and his godchild Cirilla’s first encounter after having escaped the havoc wreaked by Cahir in Nilfgaard.
4. 'The Witcher' Season 2: Cast
The first season saw Geralt of Rivia played by Henry Cavil of Marvel Extended Universe’s 'Superman' fame, Anya Chalotra, previously seen in 'Wanderlust' as Yennefer and Freya Allan as Princess Cirilla. The role of the antagonist, Cahir was essayed by Eamon Farren. While all of them will be retained in the second season, some additions will also be done.
Kim Bodnia, Adjoa Andoh, Liz Carr, Simon Callow, Graham McTavish, Kevin Doyle and Chris Fulton will be joining the cast in the second season which will witness the entry of Vilgefortz, the principal antagonist, played by Australian actor Mahesh Jadu, known for his role of Dr. Doug Harris in ‘ Neighbours’.
5. What do we expect in the upcoming season?
a. Geralt and his goddaughter
The first season concluded with the first ever meeting of Geralt and Cirilla, who supposedly share a Godfather-daughter bond for Geralt received Cirilla as his gift of surprise under the Law of Surprise. The second season is highly anticipated for witnessing the very consequences of this encounter which was the culmination of a series of events in which both the characters missed each other nearly.
b. Cirilla
Cirilla’s untapped powers also take centre stage in the first season as she manages to harness them under specific circumstances. Cirilla’s training vis-à-vis her powers and her complete transformation into a witcher can be another possible theme of exploration for the second season.
c. Backstories
Further, season one introduces its women characters with full-fledged backstories but the male protagonist is deprived of one. The second season could possibly take us into the backstory of Geralt and spin the yarn that season one slightly touches upon, telling us of Geralt’s past and how his mother left him at Kaer Mohen to be trained to become a witcher.
d. Yennefer
Lastly, Yennefer’s revenge upon Cahir and her reunion with Geralt are the two best possibilities for season two which the viewers are eagerly waiting for.
Pic credit: Gollancz