There are only so many moons until THE WITCHER arrives on Netflix, and today fans of the fantasy franchise were given their first insight into the three lead characters of Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri, direct from the actors that play them and showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich. In three new character featurettes, each focussed on a single character, Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan introduce their characters, as well as much of the magic and mystery that surrounds them on all sides.
Based on the best-selling fantasy series of books, THE WITCHER is an epic tale of fate and family. The story of the intertwined destinies of three individuals in the vast world of The Continent, where humans, elves, witchers, gnomes, and monsters battle to survive and thrive, and where good and evil is not easily identified.
The first of today's three featurettes focuses on Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill). As Cavill describes his character in the video, Geralt is a mutant who hunts monsters. Universally hated by every species on the continent, Cavill maintains that Geralt is a good man who's capable of doing some very bad things. Moreover, Geralt is said to be much more than just another "White Knight," nor is he a monster underneath his snow-white locks and gruff demeanor. He's far more than that, and Cavill plans to explore many sides of Geralt's personality when THE WITCHER arrives for its first season on Netflix.
Next we find a featurette for Yennefer of Vengerberg, as played by Anya Chalotra. In the video, Chalotra describes her character as being someone who is "in a constant battle with herself." Having had a frustrating childhood, Yennerfer comes from a place of rage and confusion. As it happens, she was born with both a spine and jaw deformity, making her a target for resentment by her own family. After being sold into servitude, Yennerfer's new family teaches her the ways of dark magics, thereby gifting her with a dangerous weapon with which she can sew the seeds of chaos and destruction.
"She presents a certain version of herself, someone who's direct and in control. The arc that she goes through is an incredible challenge. She longs for this connection, but that fear, that insecurity, feeds this chaos, this magic that makes her incedibly powerful," says Chalotra of Yennefer's journey throughout the first season of THE WITCHER.
Last but but certainly not least, we arrive at the featurette for Ciri, also known as Princess Cirilla, Lion Cub of Cintra – as played by Freya Allan.
"There's something special about this girl. She's very loyal to the people she loves. She's built a heart from it, but doens't have any experience in the real world," says Allan about Ciri's background. "All she's known is a sheltered life as a princess, and this very secure network of people looking after her," adds Allan. As a royal who's meant to conform to her family's every whim and desire, Ciri yearns to break free of the chains that bind her. Ultimately Ciri learns that freedom carries a heavy price, and that by leaving the sanctity of her castle home, she's cast herself into a brutal world of war, witches, and monsters.
"A huge theme in THE WITCHER is the loss of family and the search for family," Allan says.
Filling out the remainder of the cast for Netflix's THE WITCHER are Jodhi May (GAME OF THRONES) as Calanthe, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (FORTITUDE) as Eist, Adam Levy (SNATCH, KNIGHTFALL) as Mousesack, MyAnna Buring (RIPPER STREET) as Tissaia, Mimi Ndiweni (BLACK EARTH RISING) as Fringilla, Therica Wilson-Read (PROFILE) as Sabrina, and Emma Appleton (THE END OF THE F**KING WORLD) as Renfri, Eamon Farren (TWIN PEAKS) as Cahir, Joey Batey (KNIGHTFALL) as Jaskier, Lars Mikkelsen (SHERLOCK, HOUSE OF CARDS) as Stregobor, Royce Pierreson (WANDERLUST) as Istredd, Maciej Musia (1983) as Sir Lazlo, Wilson Radjou-Pujalte (DICKESIAN) as Dara, and Anna Shaffer (HARRY POTTER) as Triss.
Be sure to experience THE WITCHER for yourself when it arrives on Netflix this December 20th.
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