May 23, 2024, 5:03 pm | Read time: 22 minutes

“The Witcher” is one of the biggest—if not the biggest—fantasy projects by streaming giant Netflix. The series is based on the books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, which are very popular—not least because of the hugely successful video game series “The Witcher” by CD Projekt Red. The previous seasons of the Netflix series have been a rollercoaster, but the production has a huge fan base eagerly awaiting the continuation after the action-packed finale of Season 3. TECHBOOK summarizes all the important information about “The Witcher” Season 4, evaluates rumors, explains the previous storylines, and compares the series with the original material.

When does “The Witcher” Season 4 start?

At this early stage, it’s hard to say much about an exact date. However, looking at the previous cycle, one can make fairly accurate assumptions about the start of “The Witcher” Season 4.

So far, the production of a season has taken one and a half to two years. However, COVID-19 always played a certain role. Experts still expect the next “The Witcher” season to appear at the earliest by the end of 2024. A start in the first half of 2025 seems more likely, especially since the Hollywood writers’ strike delayed the production start.

In the meantime, Netflix plans to expand the “The Witcher” universe. “Nightmare of the Wolf,” a successful anime about the past of the witcher Vesemir, has already been released. However, the live-action spin-off “Blood Origin” about the Conjunction of the Spheres did not quite convince. It is now known that Netflix is working on another anime. This time, the bard Essie Daven will be the focus. The character appears in a short story by Sapkowski. However, the next live-action adaptation, which deals with the “Rats,” is likely to be even more important in the franchise. The spin-off will probably illuminate the founding story of the criminal gang. Additionally, Dolph Lundgren has been cast as Brehen, a witcher of the Cat School, for the project.

How will it continue without Henry Cavill?

It was THE topic before Season 3: Henry Cavill is leaving “The Witcher”! This news sent shockwaves far beyond the fan community of the series. There are several reasons for this. On the one hand, it is generally unusual for a lead actor—in this case, the title character—to leave a production prematurely. Especially since there is a clear template in this case, and the series creators cannot simply write Cavill’s role, Geralt of Rivia, out of the series.

On the other hand, Henry Cavill is a major Hollywood star. The Brit has already been seen as Superman in “Man of Steel,” “Batman vs. Superman,” and “Justice League.” He impressed as a charming agent in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and as the best friend of King Henry in “The Tudors.” His role in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”—and the associated fight in the men’s restroom—are almost legendary. Additionally, Cavill is a passionate gamer and a big fan of the “Witcher” series.

His casting and performance in the Netflix series were generally very positively received. As the most well-known name on the cast list, he was also the face and driving force of the fantasy series. Many were upset about his departure from the project, especially since the reasons for it are still unknown. Liam Hemsworth (known for “The Hunger Games,” “The Last Song,” “The Expendables 2”) will take over the role of the witcher Geralt of Rivia. How and if the change will work in “The Witcher” Season 4 remains to be seen. Fans, however, have already started punishing Netflix for Cavill’s departure in Season 3—TECHBOOK reported.

Liam Hemsworth, meanwhile, spoke very positively about his new role:

As a Witcher fan, I am thrilled about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia. Henry Cavill was an incredible Geralt, and I am honored that he is handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the blades of the White Wolf for the next chapter of his adventure.

Henry, I have been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you made of this beloved character. I may have big shoes to fill, but I am really looking forward to stepping into the world of The Witcher.

Liam Hemsworth via Instagram

First preview shows Liam Hemsworth as “The Witcher” in Season 4

Meanwhile, Netflix has also released a first preview of “The Witcher” Season 4. While it creates a coherent atmosphere, it reveals almost nothing else. It shows Geralt of Rivia wandering through a barren, misty land with his horse Roach. Initially, he is unrecognizable, but at the end, he turns around, revealing a first official impression of newcomer Liam Hemsworth as the title character in full witcher gear:

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There is nothing more to see, and it is still too early for that. Currently, filming is taking place, which will likely take more time than before, as Seasons 4 and 5 are being filmed back-to-back. Initially, there was a first script reading, for which Netflix released a small video:

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The cast of “The Witcher” Season 4

The cast remains largely unchanged. The most prominent departure—besides the actors who leave due to their characters’ deaths—is lead actor Henry Cavill himself. From “The Witcher” Season 4 onwards, Liam Hemsworth will take over the role of the titular witcher.

• Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia – Witcher of the School of the Wolf, father figure to Ciri, and lover of Yennefer
• Freya Allan as Cirilla “Ciri” of Cintra – Princess of Cintra and Geralt’s adopted daughter, daughter of Emhyr and Pavetta, possesses special powers due to her “elder blood,” calls herself “Falka” as part of the Rats
• Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg – powerful sorceress, lover of Geralt
• Joey Batey as Jaskier – bard and friend of Geralt

The group around Geralt is also growing. And with Laurence Fishburne, a prominent new addition has already been confirmed. He will portray the vampire Regis.

• Eamon Farren as Cahir aep Ceallach – Nilfgaardian soldier, has a mysterious connection to Ciri
• Laurence Fishburne as Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy – higher vampire who does not drink blood and as
• Meng’er Zhang as Milva – huntress from Brokilon, an excellent sharpshooter

Other actors and their roles:

• Mahesh Jadu as Vilgefortz of Roggeveen – powerful mage with his own, opaque plans for Ciri
• Hugh Skinner as Radovid – King of Redania
• Mimi Ndiweni as Fringilla Vigo – sorceress
• Anna Shaffer as Triss Merigold – friendly sorceress
• Mecia Simson as Francesca Findalbair – elven mage and queen
• Bart Edwards as Emhyr var Emreis – Emperor of Nilfgaard and Ciri’s father
• Graham McTavish as Sigismund Dijkstra – chief spy of Redania
• Cassie Clare as Philippa Eilhart – powerful sorceress with her own plans, works with Dijkstra
• Rochelle Rose as Margarita Laux-Antille – sorceress
• Safiyya Ingar as Keira Metz – sorceress
• Frances Pooley as Teryn – Ciri’s doppelgänger

The Rats will play an important role in “The Witcher” Season 4. They will even get their own spin-off.

• Ben Radcliffe as Giselher – leader of the Rats
• Christielle Elwin as Mistle – member of the youth gang “The Rats,” Ciri’s confidante
• Connor Crawford as Asse – member of the Rats
• Fabian McCallum as Kayleigh – member of the Rats and dangerous fighter
• Juliette Alexandra as Reef – member of the Rats
• Aggy K. Adams as Iskra – member of the Rats, elf, and gifted fighter

What the cast reveals about the plot

With Laurence Fishburne as Regis, a prominent new addition and role has already been confirmed. Another new name is expected to be Sharlto Copley. The South African actor will likely portray Leo Bonhart, a ruthless bounty hunter set on Ciri. According to the novel, a special and bloody enmity will develop between the dark murderer and the rebellious princess.

The plot of “The Witcher” Season 4

Warning, this section contains spoilers for the novel. If you want to be surprised, you can skip directly to the cast list. Those looking for more background information on the previous plot, especially the season finale, or the politics of the continent will also find it in this article.

Open storylines for “The Witcher” Season 4

The upcoming Season 4 will once again be dedicated to the theme “Geralt seeks Ciri.” She has joined a criminal youth gang and assumed a different identity. Her further path will surely be part of the new season, as well as her personal development.

Geralt is once again searching for his ward. He receives help from old and new allies. Who that might be is already hinted at in Season 3. He is also still struggling with his severe injuries sustained in the fight with Vilgefortz. His neutrality is now finally over.

The war that broke out after the events on Thanedd will also be an important element of the plot. Events in Nilfgaard are likely to be seen more frequently now. We also know that Redania would have no problem stabbing its northern allies in the back. Will the new King Radovid behave the same way? Will the Northern Kingdoms unite again to repel the aggressor from the south? They are unlikely to receive help from the mages this time, as they are weakened and betrayed by Redania.

What the book source reveals

Warning, massive spoilers for the further plot follow! Since Netflix has so far adhered to Sapkowski’s template in important matters, the books also allow for some conclusions about “The Witcher” Season 4. The series’ plot has now reached the third book of the main series, “Baptism of Fire” (in the Polish original “Chrzest ognia”).

Ciri has ended up in a completely different part of the world after finding her way out of the desert thanks to the unicorn. There, she meets a criminal gang called “The Rats.” With the member named Mistle, an important figure of this gang was already (semi-elegantly) introduced in Season 3 when Ciri is at the market in Gors Velen. Mistle will also play an important role for Ciri personally.

Meanwhile, Geralt is recovering in the magical Brokilon Forest from his devastating injuries sustained in the fight with Vilgefortz. Although Yennefer was able to heal him mostly, his powers have not fully returned. From there, he eventually sets out to—once again—search for Ciri. He receives support from a motley group, some of whom we have already met. Jaskier, of course, cannot be missing on such an adventure. With the archer Milva, we also already know another important face. According to the template, the Nilfgaardian Cahir will also join Geralt’s group, as will the powerful vampire Regis, who brews a devilishly good herbal schnapps. It seems very likely that this will already happen in “The Witcher” Season 4, as Netflix has already cast the role—with none other than “Matrix” star Laurence Fishburne.

However, it is not possible to predict exactly how Yennefer‘s story will continue based on the book template. Especially with the sorceress, Netflix has so far taken very unique paths and has made an extensive storyline out of the few hints in the books. However, we can assume that she will also try to help Ciri. It also seems that she will temporarily take over the leadership of the mages and must process the loss of her mentor Tissaia.

Otherwise, the situation on the continent is likely to escalate further; there is now open war. Nilfgaard’s Emperor, Emhyr var Emreis, is attempting a political maneuver. Meanwhile, the Lodge of Sorceresses wants to expand its power, while the North sinks into chaos.

The previous plot of the Netflix series “The Witcher”

For those who want to delve deeper into the background of the series, we have summarized the previous plot of the series here. We also explain the individual storylines of the season finale on Netflix.

Here is the trailer for “The Witcher” Season 3, Part 2:

Recap of Seasons 1 to 3

The titular “Witcher” is Geralt of Rivia, a wandering monster hunter who possesses special abilities due to painful experiments in his childhood. Although he is always on the move and does not seek contact with others, he befriends the bard Jaskier. He also enters into a complicated relationship with the powerful sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg after protecting her from a djinn. Yennefer has her own special story of suffering, as she is partly an elf and was born with physical deformities. Magic has eliminated these but also took away her ability to have children.

On his travels, Geralt saves a man’s life at the royal court of Cintra, who is the lover of Princess Pavetta of Cintra. Geralt then invokes the so-called “Law of Surprise,” which grants him “The first thing the man finds at home but did not expect.” In this case, it is Princess Cirilla of Cintra, who thus becomes Geralt’s “child of surprise”—an irony, as he cannot have children of his own due to the mutations he underwent.

However, Ciri possesses special powers as she is a “child of the elder blood.” An ancient elven prophecy also surrounds her, which is why almost every faction on the continent is searching for her. After Ciri’s homeland, the Kingdom of Cintra, is taken over by Nilfgaard from the south, the princess is on the run and searching for Geralt. When the two finally find each other in the finale of Season 1, a decisive battle between Nilfgaard and the Northern Kingdoms also takes place, which the North can win with the help of the mages—especially Yennefer.

However, she loses her magic as a result and is first captured by Nilfgaard and then by the elves. Meanwhile, Ciri is taken by Geralt to the witcher fortress Kaer Morhen and trained in combat there. Seduced by an ancient power, Yennefer almost delivers Ciri to Voleth Meir, a member of the malevolent ghostly horde “The Wild Hunt.” However, her maternal feelings for Ciri are ultimately stronger, and she saves her in the finale of Season 2 of “The Witcher.”

In Season 3, however, she must first regain Geralt’s trust after her betrayal and teach Ciri magic. The princess still has no control over her enormous powers. In search of help, Yennefer finally turns to the other mages, especially her mentor Tissaia. The small family then travels to the island of Thanedd, where an action-packed finale takes place.

Also interesting: All info on “The Witcher” Season 3

The finale of “The Witcher” Season 3 explained

Since several previously loose storylines converge in the already mentioned finale of Season 3, one must be very attentive to understand all the details. TECHBOOK therefore explains all the important events, also with a view to the upcoming Season 4 of “The Witcher.”

Political Intrigues

In Season 3 of the series, the events surrounding Ciri come to a head. Just a reminder: Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri are all on site, but Ciri is somewhat apart with Jaskier in a protected house. Yennefer originally brought Ciri to Thanedd and the magic school Aretuza to keep her safe and get help from her teacher and confidante Tissaia de Vries. She also organized a meeting of all the important mages to secure peace in the Northern Kingdoms and form a unity against Nilfgaard, the invading kingdom from the south.

However, the Redanians, led by master spy Sigismund Dijkstra and the sorceress Philippa Eilhart, carried out a long-planned coup against the mages on site. It was revealed that some sorceresses and mages were already secretly working for Nilfgaard. Additionally, it became clear during the season finale of “The Witcher” Season 3 that the powerful mage Vilgefortz, previously thought to be an ally, had his own dark motives. He, like almost everyone else, is after Ciri and her mysterious abilities. He is willing to go to great lengths, even starting a war and betraying his own lover Tissaia. The events on Thanedd trigger the second major war between Nilfgaard and the North.

King Radovid

The Redanian plans also mean that Radovid apparently only used Jaskier. The prince wants to bring Ciri to Redania to strengthen his own power at court. Nevertheless, the bard helps him escape. Whether Radovid is sincere with him will have to be shown in the course of “The Witcher” Season 4.

More importantly, Philippa has Radovid’s brother, King Visimir, killed to make him king. She hopes for greater control at the Redanian court.

The Events Around the Mages

Vilgefortz grants access to the mage fortress to the elves allied with Nilfgaard, led by Francesca Findalbair, and Nilfgaardian soldiers, including Cahir. She enters the unfair deal in the hope of finally securing a homeland for her dying people. To repel the attackers, Tissaia eventually casts the powerful spell Alzur’s Thunder, which costs her dearly. She commits suicide afterward, and the Brotherhood is in ruins. A group of particularly powerful sorceresses, including Yennefer, Triss, and Philippa Eilhart, emerges. The foundation for a new form of mage association is thus laid. With a view to the books, this is likely already preparing for the founding of the Lodge of Sorceresses.

Meanwhile, Istredd tries to secure the Book of Monoliths from Vilgefortz but fails. The book seems to contain important information about Ciri’s powers. Vilgefortz’s exact motives remain in the dark. However, we already know that he conducted magical experiments on young women to make them believe they were Ciri.

Cahir’s Decision

Cahir aep Ceallach is one of the most interesting characters in the template, who has not yet been given much depth. The young Nilfgaardian survived the unrest in Nilfgaard in his childhood only because he was too young to be of interest to the usurper. After Emhyr ascended the throne and avenged Cahir’s family, he is loyal to the new emperor. On his orders, he hunts Princess Ciri and pursues her across the continent. However, he also feels a special connection to the young woman, which, combined with Fringilla’s appearance in the finale of “The Witcher” Season 3, leads him to surrender to her. More than that: he stands in the way of his own countrymen to help her escape.

Geralt’s Fight with Vilgefortz

In the finale of “The Witcher” Season 3, Geralt has to endure quite a bit. In fact, the battle-hardened witcher has no chance against Vilgefortz, as he possesses both magical powers and enormous combat skills, which he now fully displays for the first time. Geralt is defeated and severely wounded. He is then rescued by the sorceress Triss and taken to the Brokilon Forest. We remember: this is where the dryads live, whom Ciri encountered in Season 1.

The Gate of Lara

The ominous Gate of Lara is located in Aretuza and is also called the “Tower of the Gull.” In fact, the gate has already been mentioned in the series, by Tissaia. In Season 1, Episode 2, she tells the young adepts, including Yennefer, about it during a test. Fabio Sachs, the young bank employee, also names the Gate of Lara when Ciri asks him about the image of the Tower of the Gull at the market in Gors Velen (Season 3, Episode 3), which seems to magically attract her. The gate emits enormous powers that can disrupt teleportation spells, among other things. Only Ciri is able to channel these powers and use the portal. She uses it to escape from the island of Thanedd and from Vilgefortz. In doing so, she destroys the tower and severely injures Vilgefortz.

The Unicorn

The portal transports her to the completely opposite end of the continent: the Korath Desert in the far east. There, she must not only face her hunger, thirst, and the heat but also special desert monsters. She unexpectedly receives help from a unicorn. How and why the unicorn suddenly appears is not explained. However, it is a magical creature that repeatedly appears in the continent’s mythology. Ciri eventually saves the unicorn’s life after it is injured by a desert monster. She uses forbidden fire magic for this but can control it.

In fact, the magical creature also appears in the book template. There it is called Ihuarraquax. And a little side note: A unicorn adorns the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Kaedwen, the land where the witcher fortress Kaer Morhen is located.

Ciri’s Visions

Afterward, Ciri must also confront her guilt in the form of a vision of her mother Pavetta. She died in a shipwreck many years ago. She asks a question that will be crucial for the rest of the series: “Why didn’t you take me on the ship?”

Another vision presents Ciri with a personified past and possible future. Her statements eventually reveal her as Falka. For those wondering who the hell that is: Falka was a Redanian princess who started a bloody rebellion over a succession dispute. She is an important historical figure in the Witcher canon and also for the prophecy about Ciri, as it was never clarified whether she is her descendant or not. Therefore, another, much darker prophecy could also apply to Ciri, according to which she will bring much suffering and destruction to the continent.

A third vision shows Ciri’s grandmother Calanthe, whom we also know from Season 1. She indirectly reminds Ciri of her powers and the price she must pay for them. She makes Ciri aware of how the cycle of violence actually works and that she must do everything to prevent history from repeating itself.

Ciri’s Doppelgänger

The whole world is hunting Cirilla of Cintra—that could also be the title of the series. And it seems that Nilfgaard has now achieved its goal. However, it is not the real Ciri (who is simultaneously dealing with desert monsters) but Teryn. We remember: This is one of the doppelgängers created by Vilgefortz; actually an adept from Aretuza. Since Emhyr has not seen Ciri for many years, he does not recognize the deception—at least not yet. Teryn was apparently brought to Emhyr by Vilgefortz to cover up his own betrayal.

Emhyr certainly wants Ciri because of her powers, but even more so because of her political significance. She is the rightful heir to Cintra and several other vassal states. Additionally, he is her father, although he has not shown much paternal feelings for her so far.

Fringilla’s Motives and the Future of the Elves

Although we did not see much of the sorceress Fringilla Vigo in “The Witcher” Season 3—she was imprisoned as Emhyr’s taster—she freed herself just in time for the season finale and played a decisive role in the fight against the Brotherhood. In fact, she kills her own uncle in the process. She hints to Cahir that she will no longer be controlled by anyone, not even Nilfgaard.

She also reveals to Francesca that it was Emhyr who had her unborn child killed, turning her against Nilfgaard. What exactly she intends to achieve with this is unclear. However, it results in Francesca swearing revenge on both her and Nilfgaard. And who can blame her: She has lost most of her people, her child, her husband, and her brother. Despite previous agreements, Emhyr also refuses to provide a homeland for her people. Only the old and weak are granted the right to stay.

More on the topic

Netflix Series Opinion on “The Witcher” Season 4: “I’m Not Interested!”

Upcoming Video Game Highlight First “The Witcher 4” Trailer Answers One of the Most Important Questions

The world of “The Witcher” explained

The world in which the Netflix series is set is finely crafted by author Andrzej Sapkowski. The Polish creator of “The Witcher” is, by the way, an economist—and this is evident in the finely balanced political and economic conditions in the original material. Two main conflicts are especially important for the plot.

Politically, two major parties face each other: The so-called “Northern Kingdoms” on one side and the southern Empire of Nilfgaard on the other. The two parties are also spatially separated by the Jaruga River, although this border is quite new. Nilfgaard is on a conquest campaign northward. In Season 1 of the “The Witcher” series, we see how it takes over Cintra, Ciri’s homeland, located south of the Jaruga. Nilfgaard is ruled by Emhyr var Emreis, a highly intelligent and tactically minded man who is revealed to be Ciri’s father over the course of the series (and also the novels).

The Northern Kingdoms, on the other hand, are divided into many independent kingdoms. The most important for the plot are Redania and Temeria, but Aedirn and Kaedwen are also mentioned frequently. Cintra also belonged to the loose alliance before it was taken over by Nilfgaard. The Northern Kingdoms are sometimes at odds with each other. For example, Redania is open to an offer from Nilfgaard that would grant its own kingdom more territories if it does not come to the aid of its allies.

The second important conflict concerns the hostilities between the many peoples of the continent. Broadly speaking, it could be said: Humans against all non-humans. However, it is a bit more complicated than that. Especially in the Northern Kingdoms, there are significant resentments against non-humans, which include elves and dwarves, and sometimes even mages and witchers. There have been long-standing conflicts with the elves, as they are the original inhabitants of the continent. Many human cities are built on the ruins of elven civilization. Nilfgaard, on the other hand, cooperates in parts with the elves.

Netflix has provided a detailed overview of the locations and time periods on a specially set up interactive map.

Sources

• Witcher Netflix (accessed July 27, 2023)
• Redanian Intelligence (“The Witcher May Have Found its Next Major Villain,” accessed July 26, 2023)
• Redanian Intelligence (“The Witcher Season 4 is Looking at Big Names to Cast Regis,” accessed July 27, 2023)