(Photo by Susie Allnutt/Netflix)

Ciri’s (Freya Allan) guardianship in Kaer Morhen didn’t quite go as Geralt (Henry Cavill) had hoped, but Ciri’s journey the witcher continues with an upcoming third season. And although Geralt, Ciri and Yennfer (Anya Chalotra) are finally united in a common goal, nothing is ever easy for them. What does this mean as the series enters its third year? The season will be loosely based on the second long form Witcher novel, The time of contemptwith some continuing threads from the first and, it seems, even some ideas of the thirdmaking it an even more unique version of the story than Season 2 Blood of the Elves. So, let’s take a look at what we know about the third season so far and see what we can read in his bones.

What’s next for Ciri and Geralt?

(Photo by Susie Allnutt/Netflix)

In previous seasons, we were able to use the books of Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski for an overview, but now things are starting to change, although the outline remains the same. As revealed in Blood of the Elves and season 2 of the witcher, one of the big problems facing the main trio is the fact that all the powerful players on the continent know that Ciri is alive and bears the blood of the elders. According to Netflix’s own description of the upcoming season, “Geralt takes Ciri of Cintra into hiding, determined to protect her newly reunited family from those who threaten to destroy her.” That could allow Yennfer to train Ciri in the use of her powers and properly forge their bond. Of course, it’s always possible that a more strained relationship between them is one of the points of divergence between the novels and the TV series.

But Yennefer will draw inspiration from her counterpart novel by bringing Ciri and Geralt to Aretuza. Unfortunately, the situation is described there as a “battlefield of political corruption, black magic and betrayal”. And if events happen there as they happen in The time of contemptthey may find they had better face Nilfgaard and the Kings of the North from the heights of Kaer Morhen.

Then again, all the political shenanigans and cross talk between mages may also present Ciri and Geralt with an opportunity to sort out their trust issues with Yennefer. Sure, a lot should happen to get them to this point, but a monumental change like this is worth another 8-episode season, especially since circumstances will no doubt see them separated before too long.

Who returns to tempt fate again?

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Naturally enough, Cavill, Chalotra, and Allan return as the mismatched Witcher family. The story can’t really work without all three of them. Joey Batey will also return as Jaskier – it will be interesting to see where they find him this time. Returning mages include MyAnna Buring as Tissaia, Anna Shaffer as Triss Merigold, Mahesh Jadu as Vilgefortz, Terence Maynard as Artorius Vigo, Lars Mikkelsen as Stregobor, Royce Pierreson as Istredd, Therica Wilson-Read as Sabrina, Cassie Clare as Philippa Eilhart and Mimi M Khayisa as Fringilla.

Other returning faces include Tom Canton as the elven rebel Filavandre, Jeremy Crawford as Yarpin Zigrin, Eamon Farren as Black Knight Cahir, Wilson Mbomio as Dara, Mecia Simson as the now wrathful Francesca, Graham McTavish as Dijkstra, Bart Edwards as Duny – now revealed to be Emperor Nilfgaard Emhyr – Ed Birch as King Redania Vizimir and Kaine Zajaz as Gage. Liz Carr and Simon Callow will also return as notable private investigators Fenn and Codringher. And while it wasn’t mentioned in any communication from Netflix, we’d be surprised if Chris Fulton and Aisha Fabienne Ross didn’t return as firebringer Rience and fellow mage Lydia van Bredevoort. Their story is one of Blood of the Elves storylines left hanging at the end of Season 2. In fact, we imagine Geralt’s search for his employer will be one of the key elements of the second novel, The time of contempt, to appear in the third season.

Meanwhile, the shifting alliances and ambitions of all returning characters will be tested with Ciri’s arrival on the mainland scene. Is Emhyr’s interest in finding her purely out of parental concern, a marriage to secure his hold on the land, or is it his way with the Monoliths in his mind? Will Cahir and Fringilla even have the chance to talk to him? We imagine escaping the White Flame dungeon is their primary concern. The entire Brotherhood will no doubt want to bend her to their way of thinking while King Vizimir also seeks to legitimize a claim on Cintra by marrying her.

The success or failure of these plans will also tell us when we see the second war between Nilfgaard and the North. Previously, we wondered if the two conflicts as portrayed in the novels would be compressed into a single war. Now we’re wondering if this will be part of an eventual series climax as the Wild Hunt rushes headlong towards the Continent Sphere or if it’ll be like in The time of contempt.

Who joins the fray?

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Of course, no series like the witcher continues without a few new additions to their conflicts. As Netflix recently announced, To downloadRobbie Amell will appear as Gallatin, a leader of Scoia’tael fighting on behalf of Nilfgaard. Described as “not afraid to speak his truth”, his devotions would lead him into conflict with Francesca.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings‘s Meng’er Zhang will debut as Milva, a character Witcher readers will be able to recognize from the third novel, Baptism by fire. Raised human by dryads, she is a fierce archer and a formidable opponent. It remains to be seen, however, whether she will be friend or foe.

Flea bagHugh Skinner joins the plot as King Vizimir’s younger brother, Prince Radovid. Said to be a playboy, he now finds himself part of Redanian Intelligence. His charm and appearance make him an effective agent, but will he ever realize the precariousness of his situation?

Christelle Elwin is also on board as Mistle, a member of a teenage street gang known as “The Rats”. Eventually, they will meet one particular person who will “change everything”. Their presence in the season suggests that some moves in the third novel could happen quite quickly.

As with season 2, it’s sometimes difficult to predict whether characters are meant to be key additions to the story or, like Kristofer Hivju’s appearance in the season 2 premiere, a memorable guest spot for the series’ occasional banter with Witcher short stories. Although, with everyone on the hunt for Ciri, we doubt there will be any detours to the remaining Season 3 one-off adventures.

The Wild Hunt behind the scenes

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Lauren Schmidt Hissrich once again returns as showrunner and executive producer. On the EP side, she is joined by Tomek Baginski, Jason F. Brown, Sean Daniel, Mike Ostrowski, Steve Gaub and Jarosław Sawko. A notable absence is the oversight of producer Declan De Barra, who is still preparing the Witcher prequel limited series, The Witcher: Origin of Bloodthough he could eventually join the production once the miniseries hits Netflix.

The season’s writers include Ostrowski, Tania Lotia, Haily Hall, Rae Benjamin, Clare Higgins, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Matthew D’Ambrosio, and Troy Dangerfield. Ostrowski, Hall and Higgins and D’Ambrosio return from the previous season. Meanwhile, directors Stephen Surjik, Gandja Monteiro, Loni Peristere and Bola Ogun will split the eight-episode season. Surjik is the only returning director for Season 3.

When will we see it?

At present, the witcherThe third season of is slated for a nebulous future. Given the gap between seasons 1 and 2, any wait seems endless, but in 2023, it seems like a safe bet.

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