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Cover Freya Allan (Princess Cirilla) and Henry Cavill (Geralt of Rivia) in 'The Witcher' (Photo: Netflix)

Tatler gets the inside scoop from executive producer Lauren Schmidt Hissirch, Henry Cavill, Joey Batey, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Kim Bodnia

In a grim, medieval world where humans often prove to be more wicked than beasts, non-human solitary monster-killer and titular Witcher Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) struggles to find his place. Season one of The Witcher focuses on the legend of Geralt and Princess Cirilla (Freya Allan), with whom he is linked by destiny, and the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra). Their stories are told in short chapters spanning multiple generations before eventually merging into a single timeline.

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The first season ended after the battle for Sodden Hill against the invaders from Nilfgaard. Convinced Yennefer’s life was lost at the Battle of Sodden, Geralt of Rivia brings Princess Cirilla to the safest place he knows, his childhood home of Kaer Morhen. While the Continent’s kings, elves, humans and demons strive for supremacy outside its walls, he must protect the girl from something far more dangerous: the mysterious power she possesses inside.

The second season, consisting of eight episodes, is scheduled for release on Netflix on December 17, 2021. Ahead of its premiere, Tatler speaks to executive producer Lauren Schmidt Hissirch, Henry Cavill, Joey Batey, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Kim Bodnia about what fans can expect from the exotic and fantastical world of The Witcher.

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Above Freya Allan (Princess Cirilla) and Henry Cavill (Geralt of Rivia) in 'The Witcher' (Photo: Netflix)

Lauren Schmidt Hissirch, executive producer

Other than the shift in the storytelling format (time-jump vs linear) in season two, what would you say are some of the other most striking differences between the seasons?

That’s a great question! First of all, that's probably the biggest difference. The entire goal of season one was to give all these characters their own stories before eventually getting them into the same time, same place, and the same universe. I do think that you will find this season easier to follow because stories are told in a forward motion and everyone is propelled forward. We worked really hard in season one to kind of set the chessboard with all of the pieces so I feel like in season two, we didn’t need to do all of that heavy lifting anymore and we can really just delve into the story and into the characters. So, I think that the other big difference for season two is that you get to go deeper with all the characters–have characters talking and getting to know each other better, and for the audience to know them better. Overall, the season feels more personal and more intimate.

How involved were the key actors in planning for or giving input on the screenplay for season two?

I always want the actors to be involved in the process. We first meet in the writers’ room, me and the other writers, and we spend about 20 weeks building the story and writing the scripts­–but that’s just the beginning of the creative process because once we finish, then we invite the production crew in. Then there’s all sorts of time and budget constraints, or where we can shoot, or what sets we’re going to build. But then we also bring the directors and the actors in for their creative point of view. I have long conversations with Henry, Anya and Freya about their characters and the journey of their characters because they need to believe in them in the same way that I do. That's important to me.

This season was really interesting because we had all the scripts, we started shooting, and then we had to shut down for five months because of the Covid-19 pandemic. That had never happened before in my experience and none of us knew what to expect. But that really gave me the time to go through all eight episodes and to make sure that we were telling all the stories in the right way, to ensure that we were telling the very best stories and making every scene and story work for us. During that time, especially with Henry, I really got to dig even further in with him about what Geralt was experiencing this season and making sure that we were telling it the right way. I think the show really benefits from that kind of reflection.

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Which character’s story arc should fans be most excited about in season two?

Oh, wow! I do think that Ciri’s feels the strongest to me because it feels like she’s travelling the greatest distance. She goes from being a scared princess who’s out in the world on her own to developing a new family and learning to trust that family, and really learning to trust herself. Even more than that, her journey goes from wanting to seek revenge in the beginning–she wants to get back everyone who wronged her in season one­–and by the end, realising that seeking revenge on others isn’t going to help her overcome her trauma and that she has to go more internal and deeper than that.

Geralt’s story arc in season two is very similar because he’s with her on that journey so he changes from being solely a Witcher to a father figure but also has to face the parts in himself that he thinks he has been avoiding for a long time and building barriers against. He’s so open and vulnerable in season two.

Yennefer’s storyline is the one that I want to spoil the least, of course, because it’s the biggest surprise to people but she has to come to terms with what she wants. In season one we set that chessboard up which is, does she want power? Does she want a child? How can she have all of that? In season two we realise the sacrifices that she had to make and she gets to a place of self-assurance by the end of the season and that’s really beautiful for her.

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Above Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg (Photo: Netflix)
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Above Freya Allan as Princess Cirilla (Photo: Netflix)

Anya Chalotra (Yennefer of Vengerberg) and Freya Allan (Princess Cirilla)

Yennefer gives off a very stern and cold vibe, and it’s exciting to see how season two will probably break the character down a little bit more. Personally (and without giving away any spoilers), what do you think the audience would be most excited about seeing in terms of the character development?

AC: I think she has been strictly something that has defined her for so long, you know, given her powers. I’d say the audience would be excited to see what happens behind closed doors and see why she makes the decisions that she makes. I think it will be a really interesting watch for Yennefer.

How would you both describe your characters’ relationship in season two?

FA: I mean for Ciri, Yennefer provides her with something that she really needs in this kind of time in her story. She’s coming to terms with the fact that she has this power inside and it’s something that terrifies her and not something that she wants to confront. Seeing Yenner proves to her that it can be something beautiful, powerful, and useful, and that opens her eyes and it's a situation that's kind of... inspiring for her to see, that strong woman in front of her.

AC: Seeing Yennefer, well, she really matures this season because of Ciri. She sees herself in Ciri and she knows what to do. She knows what to do with her, she knows how to help her channel what’s inside her so she recognises her purpose. In the end, she performs a selfless act which I think is one of the first selfless things she has done because she’s quite a selfish person and driven by herself. For the first time, she’s taking a big switch in her journey.

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Geralt becomes a mentor to Princess Ciri in season two. Does this also translate into 'real life’ for you, considering Cavill's wealth of experience in action movies?

FA: Yeah! I mean, I definitely did feel that, like, the energy that Cavill brought on set. It felt like there was constant stability and security coming on set knowing that he was going to be there just because he brings that kind of energy. I just felt safe with him. I knew that if I ever had an issue with a scene or something that I couldn’t quite work out, we would solve that together. We’ve built up nice teamwork which really parallels our characters, just being there for each other.

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Photo 1 of 3 Freya Allan as Princess Cirilla in 'The Witcher' (Photo: Netflix)
Photo 2 of 3 Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in 'The Witcher' (Photo: Netflix)
Photo 3 of 3 Kim Bodnia as Vesemir in 'The Witcher' (Photo: Netflix)

Joey Batey (Jaskier) and Kim Bodnia (Vesemir)

The Halloween character poster for Jaskier is, of course, the funniest thing to happen in a long time and fans love it! Why do you think people love this sassy, sarcastic bard so much?

JB: (laughs) I always say that it’s due to Mr Sapkowski's original character in the books. I think people adored the character of Jaskier in the source text–he’s absurd and he’s witty, and simultaneously the most intelligent and the stupidest person in the room. He’s unafraid of being honest and being emotional in the open. Lauren took the tone of the books and brought it a little a bit more playfulness, perhaps even joyfulness and optimism, and then I just turned up, put the costume on, and did my best (laughs).

Vesemir is quite a key character in season two in unlocking everything the audience is yet to know about Witchers and Geralt. What did you do in preparation to step into the shoes of Vesemir?

KB: Vesemir is a very grounded person. I studied the skills he had in the games. It’s no secret that even Cavill loves it–he really is a gamer! (laughs) I really needed to help him live in that world so I was studying a lot. Amber is a stone and a colour that Vesemir has inside of him. When you’re with him, you feel peacefulness, you can heal yourself in that peacefulness, and look inside yourself and learn about yourself. So, for me, it was very important that we connected in how we react in nature, how Cavill reacts in nature, and how nature interacts with him. Through all our lovely talks about how important this story is and nature is, we became like a couple that understood each other so well. It's good chemistry to have the same opinion on how important nature is for us and how we integrate with nature.

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Jaskier is Geralt's best friend and Vesemir is Geralt's father figure. How would you both describe your characters’ relationship in season two moving forward?

KB: I created Geralt as a Witcher so yes, you're totally right, it feels like a father and son relationship but, you know, kids never do what you say. He’s a tough man to deal with but I love him and Vesemir loves him and he’s also our hope for the future. We don’t create any more Witchers so for me, that oldest son in that position is the gold–he’s our deepest soul and heart, and survival as Witchers. I also had to really listen to and learn from him because he’s so clever, having lived so long. As a father myself, I’m still learning from my kids too so that balance was nice, that we’re actually learning from each other the whole way through. But still, I am the oldest both in the show and in real life...

JB: Not at heart.

KB: Not in my brain! (laughs)

JB: (laughs)

KB: It’s very emotional and it’s great following one of your kids on his travels. Geralt is trained to trust his intuitions and in the beginning, when we meet, he really has something that he believes in, but he doesn’t know exactly what. And that’s what we have–finding out together why he feels like that.

JB: Following the events of season one, with Jaskier and Geralt, I think there is that split in that division and Jaskier is working out who he is. But I think in trying to battle against this darkness and grittiness without his best friend, I don’t remember filming any scenes with Cavill so I don’t know if they do end up being friends again. We’ll have to find out. You’ll have to watch it!

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Above Joey Batey as Jaskier (Photo: Netflix)

Henry Cavill (Geralt of Rivia)

You’re stepping into the shoes of Geralt again for season two. What has changed about how you prepared to take on the role this time around, as compared to pre-season one?

As far as the preparation goes, coming into this, I wanted the character to have a closer relationship with the character in the books. It was more to do with making sure and campaigning for him to sound intellectual, more philosophical, and to have an emotional side as well, rather than just being a grumpy snowman—for Geralt to be a three-dimensional male character. So, as far as the preparation goes, every day I was pushing for this stuff so that, for me, is the most important and how the preparation has changed from season one.

Coming into season two, which character’s story arc would you say you’re most excited to see developing?

That’s a really, really good question! I’ve had the most interaction with Ciri’s story arc and to see that whole thing realised... Lauren’s version of the story is quite different from the books so there will be surprises for fans out there. I can’t wait to see what everyone feels about Freya’s incredible performance throughout the show. It'll be really interesting.

How involved were you in planning for or giving input on the screenplay for season two?

I didn’t really have much by way of input because by the time I got to see the scripts, they were all already finished or written. But once I’ve seen them, I did want to try to inject as much of the book Geralt as possible. So it’s moving away from the grumpy snowman and the Shrek-like character, and to make it a bit more three-dimensional—and to focus on his emotional side as well and really show that with the other Witchers.

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