The Witcher (TV series)

The Witcher is a TV series produced by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich and released on Netflix. It is based on the Witcher series of books by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski.

"In this drama series, an unconventional family comes together to fight for truth in a dangerous world. Based on the globally popular fantasy saga."

- Placeholder text on Netflix.com

"The witcher Geralt, a mutated monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts."

- Placeholder text on Netflix.com

Overview

 * Lauren S. Hissrich, executive producer, has praised the "dream casting" for the Witcher series. Season 1 consists of 8 episodes, and each episode is one hour long. The series was tentatively set to premiere in 2020, but in the final trailer the date was set to December 20, 2019.


 * On November 13, 2019, Netflix US posted in a Tweet, that the show would be renewed for a second season.


 * Filming for season 2 began in February 2020, which is set for a 2021 release.


 * According to PC Gamer, the showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich has material prepared for six more seasons. When commenting on that quote, she said there is enough material for 20 seasons.


 * The series will adapt the novels and shortstories.

New in Season 2
According to a Netflix tweet and an article on PCgamer, several new cast members were announced for season 2.

Episodes
Each episode is structured episodically and contains several timelines. The first three episodes are mostly devoted to the introduction of the three main characters Geralt, Yennefer and Cirilla. Throughout the series, many of the details differ greatly from the books they are based on, or have been supplemented. Lauren S. Hissrich explained some of the differences between season one and the books, saying that those decisions were debated a lot and were not taken lightly.

Season 1
Episodes in season 1 are based on the collection of shortstories in The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny.

Locations
The Witcher has been filmed in these locations:
 * Budapest, Hungary
 * Origo Studios, Budapest (studio)
 * Vajdahunyad Castle, Budapest
 * Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
 * Agaete
 * Cuevas Blancas
 * El Paso, La Palma (filming location)
 * Garafía, La Palma (filming location)
 * Guayedra
 * La Palma (filming location)
 * Mapalomas
 * Roque Nublo
 * San Andrés y Sauces, La Palma (filming location)
 * Tamadaba
 * New York City, New York, USA
 * Ogrodzieniec, Poland (castle)

Season 2
These locations are new in season 2 of the series:
 * Arborfield Studios, near London, UK
 * Isle of Skye, Scotland

Soundtrack
First season soundtrack for 8 episodes was composed by:
 * Sonya Belousova
 * Giona Ostinelli

Rumors

 * It was rumored that Sebastian Stan may appear in the role of Borch Three Jackdaws. The role was played by Ron Cook instead.
 * Second Season rumours: We got this covered article mentions Charles Dance to be on the list for possible actors in Season 2.

On-line resources

 * Netflix released interactive map and timeline for the series.

Videos
A screen test of Henry Cavill as Geralt.

The official teaser trailer from June 20, 2019.

The creation of Kaer Morhen, by Torpedo Pictures, Canada:
 * Kaer Morhen, by Torpedo Pictures on Vimeo
 * More: Torpedo Pictures on Vimeo