The Shocking Age Transformation of Radovid in The Witcher Season 3 Sets the Stage for an Unpredictable Future
The Witcher Season 3's surprising age change for Radovid brings a fresh twist to his character, altering the course of his story and setting the stage for an intriguing future
Warning: spoilers for The Witcher season 3
Summary
In The Witcher season 3, Prince Radovid is introduced, bringing about significant alterations to his character and age, thus deviating from the original depiction in the books.
Initially depicted as a carefree prince residing in the palace, Radovid plays a crucial role in Philippa's schemes. However, his trajectory undergoes a significant transformation following the murder of Vizimir.
In the show, Radovid is portrayed as older than his depiction in the books and games, resulting in a greater sense of agency and a unique perspective as the new ruler of Redania. In The Witcher season 3, Prince Radovid (played by Hugh Skinner) was introduced as a crucial figure in the history of Redania. However, the series made significant alterations to the character, including his age, which greatly diverged from the storyline presented in the books. The third season of The Witcher delved into various subplots, one of which focused on Redania and the numerous betrayals unfolding behind King Vizimir's back. Playing a central role in this Redanian subplot were sorceress Philippa Eilheart and Sigismund Dijkstra, the leader of Redanian Intelligence and Philippa's ally. Adding to their ranks was Prince Radovid, the brother of King Vizimir, who ultimately became a pawn in Philippa's manipulations.
In The Witcher season 3, Radovid is initially portrayed as the carefree younger brother of King Vizimir, frequently hosting lavish parties at the palace and seemingly lacking purpose. Frustrated with Philippa and Dijkstra's failure to capture Ciri, Vizimir eventually assigns this crucial task to Radovid. However, Radovid continues to operate under Philippa's directives. Nevertheless, Radovid's story and role within the Redanian royal family undergo a significant transformation in the final moments of The Witcher season 3 following King Vizimir's assassination. Yet, due to the series' alterations to Radovid, it becomes apparent that his future will diverge greatly from the path depicted in the books.
How Old Radovid Is In The Witcher Show vs. The Books & Games
The portrayal of Radovid in Netflix's The Witcher differs significantly from the character found in the books and games. Unlike the series, where Radovid appears older, in the original material he is depicted as the son of King Vizimir and is considerably younger. In the books, King Vizimir met his demise at the hands of an elven assassin. However, due to Radovid's young age of only 12 at the time, he was unable to immediately assume the throne. Additionally, his mother, Queen Hedwig (who, unlike in the series, remains alive), was unfit to take control. As time progressed, Radovid earned the title "The Stern" and evolved into one of the most formidable antagonists in the book series. His intense animosity towards mages propelled him to embark on a violent rampage across the North.
How King Radovid Being So Much Older Will Change His Witcher Story & Future
: In the video game adaptations of The Witcher, Radovid's age was depicted differently from the Netflix series. During the onset of the Third Northern War, Radovid was portrayed as being between 18 and 21 years old. Similar to the books, Radovid assumes the role of a significant adversary in the Witcher video game series, where he actively advocates for and participates in acts of torture and murder.
Radovid’s age in Netflix’s The Witcher remains undisclosed, but in comparison to the books and video games, he is considerably older. Following the deaths of Queen Hedwig and King Vizimir, Philippa swiftly appointed Radovid as the new king, citing the perception of weakness without a leader in the eyes of Nilfgaard and their adversaries. However, Radovid harbors deep mistrust towards Dijkstra and Philippa, particularly after discovering Dijkstra's involvement in the murder of Queen Hedwig and witnessing the chaos unleashed on Thanedd Island. As Radovid assumes the mantle of King of Redania, he possesses a much clearer understanding of the challenges that lie ahead.
An older Radovid grants the character more control, suggesting that he may resist being manipulated by Philippa and Dijkstra now that he resides as the ruler of Redania. Moreover, Radovid's association with Jaskier is worth considering. Although he previously used the bard in his pursuit of Ciri, he now understands the lengths Geralt is prepared to go to safeguard the Princess of Cintra. This does not, of course, imply that Netflix's The Witcher cannot portray a villainous Radovid. However, he may choose to exert his power and influence in alternative manners compared to his depictions in the original books and video games.
