Over the last three years, The Witcher series has taken Netflix (and the world) by storm, deemed by many to be a cinematic phenomenon on par with Game of Thrones. With the second season culminating in a spectacular cliffhanger, many fans wonder where the blood-soaked and filled with intrigue story will take them next.
Based on the books by the Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher follows the stories of Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a professional monster slayer; Ciri (Freya Allan), the princess of Cintra and Geralt's destiny; and Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), a powerful sorceress. The show's second season left the Continent on the brink of war; elves were stripped of their hope for a peaceful future; and Yennefer, Geralt, and Ciri finally reunited, only to discover that most of the nations, as well as the mystical Wild Hunt, are after the princess, because of her legacy. On top of it all, the emperor of Nilfgaard was revealed to be Ciri's father — truly a cliffhanger that leaves the fans dazzled and eagerly awaiting season 3.
As The Witcher's third season is said to be primarily based on Sapkowski's second novel, Time of Contempt, many fans started speculating which characters and plotlines are most likely to make it to the show. While it's almost certain that the season will feature its fair share of bloodthirsty monsters, nail-biting action, chilling intrigues, and an exciting range of new and familiar characters, these 5 things are on top of the list for books and game franchise fans for season 3.
Ciri Growing Into Her Powers
The second season revealed Ciri to be the descendant of Lara Dorren and the bearer of Elder Blood (Hen Ichaer), who is prophesized to destroy the Continent's civilization. In theory, her tremendous powers that include opening inter-dimensional portals and summoning monstrous creatures from other Spheres could be harvested for good. With that in mind, Yennefer and Geralt decide to help the Cintrian princess master and control her powers.
In the books, Yennefer takes Ciri to Aretuza, a school for young sorceresses, where she can learn magic in a controlled environment. Before that, she teaches the girl herself, and they slowly develop an almost mother/daughter bond. As for Ciri's powers, both the books and the games portray her ability to jump through time and space to various degrees of success, and the fans can't wait to see this powerful skill in action in the show.
Ciri, Yennefer, And Geralt Against The World
By the end of season 2, Ciri becomes a target for almost every party on the Continent. The Brotherhood of Sorcerers plans to kill her to prevent a prophesized apocalypse. A mysterious employer of the scarred wizard Rience seeks to obtain the princess for unknown reasons. The leaders of the nations plan to either assassinate or, in the case of Redanian Vizimir II, capture her to claim the Cintrian throne. The elves, led by the revenge-driven Francesca Findabair, believe Ciri to be their race's savior. The Nilfgaardian power-hungry emperor Emhyr var Emreis, who is revealed to be Ciri's presumed-to-be-dead father, wants to reclaim his daughter, and it's unlikely he acts purely out of sentimental reasons. And, on top of it all, Wild Hunt wants Ciri to join their ghostly cavalcade to wreak chaos and destruction onto the world.
Season 3 is bound to be one heck of a ride, and one thing is certain — Ciri won't be left to fend for herself. She, Geralt, and Yennefer will have to grow closer, and fans are likely to see them mend their somewhat broken relationship to fight off the incoming threats.
Thanedd Coup
Season 2 of The Witcher perfectly sets up the scene for the growing tensions with Nilfgaard, and season 3 will undoubtedly see the development of this plotline. Time of Contempt culminates in the Thanedd Coup at the Conclave of Mages. Without revealing too much, it's sufficient to say that it will revolve around the division between the supporters, opponents, and neutral parties in the war with Nilfgaard and will result in the dismemberment of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers and a major political shift.
If season 3 stays true to the books, the Redanian spymaster Dijkstra and the shapeshifting sorceress Philippa Eilhart (whose human form the fans saw only briefly at the end of the second season) will play major roles in the events. What's more, in the books, the coup leads to the death of one of the key characters, and many fans can't help but wonder if that is what the showrunner Lauren S Hissrich teased when she mentioned that season 3 will have "a lot of action, some death... Some death!"
Development Of The Scoia'tael Storyline
The theme of racial oppression runs through most of The Witcher books but takes center stage in Time of Contempt. It is seen through the eyes and actions of Scoia'tael (or Squirrels), mostly elven guerrilla fighters who have been radicalized by the hatred and mistreatment of non-humans. Considering that in the books, the Squirrels fight on the Nilfgaardian side, while in the show, the empire plays a fatal role in the elven downfall, many fans are curious to see how the showrunners (who have confirmed their appearance) will address this conflict.
What's more, Redanian Intelligence shared rumors about the casting of 'Marylebone,' who many
fans believe to be the books' Milva, a skilled archer, who helps Scoia'tael reach the safety of the Brokilon forest at the request of the dryads. Milva later joins Geralt and Jaskier in their search for Ciri after the events on Thanedd. At the same time, game fans don't lose hope of seeing Iorweth (Iorveth), the commander of the Scoia'tael and a prominent character in the franchise.
Bigger And Badder Monsters
While The Witcher has an engaging story, rich lore, enchanting world, complex politics, and incredibly fleshed-out and diverse characters, the show (as well as the books and the games) wouldn't be the same without the blood-pumping fights and vicious, bloodthirsty monsters. The first two seasons introduced a variety of creatures, from a bruxa to a leshy and from a golden dragon to cursed Nivellen.
Many fans hope that season 3 will bring more of their all-time favorites like game-featured godlings and botchlings and more traditional griffins, trolls, werewolves, and vampires. Regardless of which monsters will make the cut for the next season, the audience will certainly get to enjoy more of the masterful fights and exciting confrontations that will keep the viewers at the edge of their seats.
Season 3 is unlikely to hit Netflix before 2023, so the fans will have to wait and see whether their hopes and expectations become a reality. In the meantime, with the prequel series The Witcher: Blood Origin, a second anime film, and even a Kids & Family animated show in the works, there's plenty to fill the Witcher-shaped hole in the fans' hearts.