The Witcher season 3: Release date, cast, plot and latest news

Producer Tomek Bagiński recently hinted that the series could offer an in-universe explanation for Geralt's change in appearance, while casting director Sophie Holland seemingly confirmed a fifth season is also in the works.

But that's a long way off, so for now read on for everything you need to know about The Witcher season 3 volume 2.

The Witcher season 3 part 2 release date

The Witcher season 3 part 2 became available to stream on Netflix from Thursday 27th July 2023.

The show dropped the first five episodes of its third outing on Thursday 29th June, with fans spending the past month in suspense over how this chapter of the fantasy epic will end.

Executive producer Steve Gaub confirmed filming on season 3 had wrapped back in September 2022.

He posted a picture of a skull on a bookcase on Instagram, writing alongside: "And that's a picture wrap on Season 3 of @witchernetflix!!"

How many episodes in The Witcher season 3?

There are eight new episodes for fans to enjoy in season 3.

Volume 1 consists of five episodes, while volume 2 is made up of the remaining three.

The Witcher season 3 cast: Who will star alongside Henry Cavill?

The following cast members have been confirmed for The Witcher season 3.

• Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia
• Freya Allan as Cirilla
• Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg
• Joey Batey as Jaskier
• Mimî M Khayisa as Fringilla Vigo
• Eamon Farren as Cahir
• MyAnna Buring as Tissaia de Vries
• Wilson Mbomio as Dara
• Tom Canton as Filavandrel

The season will be Cavill's final run as Geralt before he is replaced by Liam Hemsworth for the fourth season onwards.

Speaking on his departure, Cavill said: "My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for season 4."

Cavill added: "In my stead, the fantastic Mr Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam's take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men.

"Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find."

Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Allan revealed it was “very hard to say” how Ciri could evolve in future episodes.

"You sort of discover that as you go along, really," she said. "It’s something that you can’t necessarily say what you want. You’re discovering it as you play it, and just using the script in whatever way you do.

"But I would say I definitely, obviously want to see her become an insane fighter," she added. "That's for sure. I can’t wait for her to get her proper sword. The day that I get handed a proper silver, heavy sword, is going to be the day that I’m content."

Aside from Cavill, Allan and Chalotra, we’d also expect season 2 cast member Joey Batey to reprise his role as Jaskier, especially since he's already spoken out about where he’d like to see the character go in future seasons.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com, Batey said he’d like to see Jaskier be part of storylines that could "help young people work out who they are, or how they fit in a changing world".

"Being part of these stories that manage to take an awful lot of what’s happening in our contemporary world and our actual world and show them through a lens of fantasy, and not just delve into dragons and sword fights and stuff, but we actually get to see bits of this world that resonate, particularly for younger people," he said.

"If I’m in any way part of those kinds of storylines, which can help young people work out who they are or how they fit in a changing world, then that’s something that I’m incredibly excited to be a part of."

However, Allan has said she would like to try her hand at other roles one day - and that she has an endpoint in mind for leaving The Witcher - so viewers will have to wait and see what's in store for season three.

In addition, Royce Pierreson is expected to return as Istredd, Anna Shaffer as Triss Merigold and Kim Bodnia as Vesemir.

Talking about whether he could return to our screens in a third season, Paul Bullion, who plays Lambert, told RadioTimes.com in an exclusive interview: "You know, it’s no secret, I love the series, and I love the project. We’re very excited about it. So, yeah, I’m happy to, in the future… If I’m lucky enough to be part of the expansive plans that they’ve got then, hey, look, let's see how series two goes down."

Yasen Atour, who stars as Coen, added: “Listen, 'Why wouldn’t I?' is your answer. You know what I mean? It’s been an absolute pleasure and honour to be part of a show of that magnitude. There are conversations. I can’t go too deep into that, but I think: watch this space.

"It is, also, a business, and it’s about what works, and what doesn’t. It’s not a case of just being in a show for, you know, just being in a show. There has to be a story, and it has to connect with the world, and how the story’s going to move forward."

In addition, Liz Carr, who plays Fenn, has also said she would "love the opportunity to return".

"I don’t know a thing about this, but I know there is a series three, or that’s the plan, for a season three. Lauren’s been on Twitter, talking about that, in the writer’s room. So I would love the opportunity to return and do a little bit more with Codringher and Fenn."

Season 2 introduced a whole host of new characters, so that’s bound to continue into season 3 as well.

The Witcher season 3 plot: What will happen?

The official plot synopsis for season 3 reads: "As monarchs, mages and beasts of the Continent compete to capture her, Geralt takes Ciri of Cintra into hiding, determined to protect his newly-reunited family against those who threaten to destroy it.

"Entrusted with Ciri’s magical training, Yennefer leads them to the protected fortress of Aretuza, where she hopes to discover more about the girl’s untapped powers; instead, they discover they’ve landed in a battlefield of political corruption, dark magic, and treachery. They must fight back, put everything on the line – or risk losing each other forever."

So it looks like The Witcher season 3 is going to delve further into Ciri’s destiny after those season 2 cliffhangers, which revealed that The Wild Hunt wants Ciri for her ‘Hen Ikeir’ (Elder Blood), given that she potentially has the power to restore the elves to their former glory.

As Geralt said of Ciri’s destiny in season 2: “The demon; the Wild Hunt – she’s marked for something, and it doesn’t end there. If mages and royals find out she’s still alive and what she’s capable of, they won’t stop coming for her.”

There'll be a tense hunt for Ciri in future episodes, with Yennefer and Geralt scrabbling to protect her as the main trio become tied together in one epic storyline.

In addition, speaking exclusively with RadioTimes.com, executive producer Tomek Bagiński promised an epic season 3 finale ahead of Cavill's exit.

"Yes, we are saying our goodbyes to this Geralt and new Geralt is coming," he said.

He continued: "But also we’re leaving people with a couple of cliffhangers which are, I think, pretty interesting and pretty cool and promise a very, very adventurous future."

Hissrich recently told TechRadar that the third season is based on The Time of Contempt, which sees Yennefer, Ciri and Geralt journey to Aretuza so that Ciri can learn how to master her magic.

"We’re almost done with the scripting phase, and it’s amazing," she revealed. "I’m really thrilled with how the season is shaping up because it’s based on my favourite book in the saga, which is The Time of Contempt.

"I feel like seasons 1 and 2 have been laying the playing field for everything huge that’s about to happen," she added. "But the creative process is now really just starting. We have the scripts, and now we’ll bring directors on, the actors back in, and really start delving in deeper and reflecting back and making sure that it’s the perfect season."

If you want a recap of what happened in the final episode of the previous season, you can read our The Witcher season 2 ending explainer.

The Witcher season 3 trailer

Season 3 looks set to take a dark turn if the trailer footage is anything to go by, with Geralt drinking a mysterious liquid.

"Now, for the first time, I understand real fear," he says ominously.

Watch the season 3 trailer below:

The Witcher season 3 volume 1 will be available to stream on Netflix from 29th June. You can sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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