The Witcher Season 3: Unveiling the Epic Trailer, Release Date, Cast & Latest Updates

The highly anticipated third season of The Witcher is set to premiere in June 2023, and fans are eager to know what lies ahead for Geralt, Ciri, Yennefer, and the rest of the characters. The first season of the show was a massive success, becoming the most successful debut of a Netflix original series. It was no surprise when the show was renewed for a second season, despite facing production delays caused by the pandemic. Season 2 continued to delve into the intricate storylines and relationships established in the first season. However, it has been confirmed that the upcoming third season will be Henry Cavill's final appearance as Geralt.

Netflix made the exciting announcement of The Witcher's renewal for a third season during the September 2022 TUDUM event. The show, which is based on the popular fantasy books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, has been adapting and evolving its story structure with each season. The first season, inspired by the initial collection of short stories by Sapkowski, played with the timeline, while the second season focused more on the overarching narrative found in the author's longer stories. Judging from the teaser trailer for The Witcher season 3, it seems that this trend will continue in the upcoming season. As we eagerly await the return of Geralt of Rivia, here's a roundup of all the latest updates and revelations about The Witcher season 3.

The Latest Witcher Season 3 News

The most recent updates for The Witcher season 3 were unveiled at the Netflix Tudum event. One of the highlights was a thrilling fight scene featuring the main characters. Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, Anya Chalotra, and Joey Batey took the stage to introduce an exclusive three-minute preview of the new season. The captivating video showcased Cirilla of Cintra, Geralt of Rivia, and Yennefer of Vengerberg joining forces to battle against the villainous Rience. Together, they utilized their unique powers to defeat the Viscount de Lettenhove and his group of fighters.

In this exclusive footage, Rience made an attack on Ciri, attempting to kidnap her once again. However, Yennefer's magical abilities and Geralt's exceptional sword-fighting skills came to the rescue, leveling the playing field. It was evident that Ciri's training with the Witchers had not left her defenseless, as she held her own during the intense confrontation. Notably, the footage showcased Geralt's impressive blend of magic and swordplay. During the event, Cavill expressed his admiration for his fellow cast members in gracious comments (via MSN).

"It was truly a delight and privilege collaborating with all of you. The level of intricacy and depth that you bring to these characters, which are often in danger of being oversimplified, is commendable. The dedication, care, and effort that you have put into shaping these characters is evident. Working alongside you all has been an absolute joy, and I just wanted to express how much I will miss our time together."

The Witcher Season 3 Release Date Info

Several important updates about The Witcher season 3 were unveiled in the teaser trailer for the upcoming season. One notable announcement is that the third season will be divided into two volumes. Netflix has also disclosed the release dates for these two parts, which align with the showrunners' initial promise of bringing Henry Cavill's final portrayal of Geralt of Rivia to viewers in the summer of 2023.

The Witcher season 3, Volume 1 (episodes 1-5) release date: June 29, 2023

The Witcher season 3, Volume 2 (episodes 6-8) release date: July 27, 2023

The Witcher Season 3 Cast (As We Know It)

The returning cast for The Witcher season 3 includes Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, Freya Allan as Ciri, Anya Chalotra as Yennefer, and Joey Batey as Jaskier. While the party will leave Kaer Morhen, other key characters such as Triss, Djikstra, and Vilgefortz will make their return. The elven subplot will continue, and Fringilla and Cahir the Black Knight are expected to return as well. Bart Edwards will reprise his role as Emhyr/Duny/White Flame. The trailer also revealed the return of Rience, Vilgefortz's apprentice, now played by Sam Woolf. Philippa Eilhart, Filavandrel, Francesca, Tissaia de Vries, and the rest of the supporting cast will also make a comeback.

Lars Mikkelsen as Stregobor

Ed Birch as King Vizimir II

Wilson Mbomio as Dara

Therica Wilson-Read as Sabrina Glevissig

Terence Maynard as Artorius Vigo

Jeremy Crawford as Yarpen Zigrin

Liz Carr as Fenn

Royce Pierreson as Istredd

Kaine Zajaz as Gage

Simon Callow as Ellis Codringher

The Witcher Season 3 Is Henry Cavill's Last

Henry Cavill announced his departure from The Witcher in October 2022 through an Instagram post. He confirmed that the upcoming season 3 would be his last and expressed his support for Liam Hemsworth, who will be taking on the role of Geralt of Rivia in season 4. Cavill reflected on his journey as Geralt, filled with both challenges and exciting adventures, and expressed his admiration for the character's complexity. He passed the torch to Hemsworth with reverence and enthusiasm, looking forward to seeing his unique interpretation of this fascinating character.

The backlash against showrunners regarding Henry Cavill's departure from The Witcher was met with rumors suggesting discontentment with the treatment of Sapkowski's books or Cavill's firing by Netflix. However, these rumors have been denied by the showrunners. In fact, showrunner Lauren Hissrich has reassured fans that Henry Cavill will receive a proper and "heroic sendoff" in his final portrayal of Geralt in The Witcher season 3 cast. While Cavill's exit saddened many long-time viewers, there is also some positive news.

Certain corners of the online discussion world strongly criticize Liam Hemsworth replacing Henry Cavill, but the showrunner is not particularly bothered by these The Witcher season 3 updates. He publicly supported the decision to recast Geralt and expressed excitement about Hemsworth's upcoming portrayal of the character. In an interview, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich explained the reasons behind the recasting and shared the plans for the future of The Witcher on Netflix.

The decision to continue the show instead of ending it was driven by the desire to explore the numerous untold stories that lie ahead. While replacing Geralt with another Witcher would have deviated from the original books, it was not the preferred choice. Many fans expressed their hope for Henry Cavill's return as Geralt, but unfortunately, that was not feasible. With Cavill's departure, the showrunners were left with three options: ending the show, introducing a new Witcher, or recasting the role. In order to stay true to the books, they opted for recasting, and showrunner Hissrich expresses enthusiasm for the potential of Liam stepping into the role, acknowledging the challenge of filling such big shoes but also recognizing his energy and excitement for the role.

The Witcher Season 3 Story Details

The upcoming third season of The Witcher will draw inspiration from Andrzej Sapkowski's Time of Contempt, the second novel in the Witcher Saga. This installment will see the political turmoil on Thanedd Island escalate into a full-blown coup, with Geralt of Rivia becoming entangled in the chaos. Yennefer's efforts to train Ciri in magic result in disastrous consequences, leading to Ciri being separated from her protectors. Surprisingly, Cahil's storyline takes an unexpected turn as he aligns himself with Geralt instead of opposing him. The official synopsis from Netflix confirms that Geralt will hide Cintra and, with Yennefer's assistance, will face numerous challenges including mythical creatures, rulers, sorcerers, and the menacing Wild Hunt.

It is worth noting that while The Witcher season 2 adapted elements from Blood of Elves, it did not strictly adhere to the source material. The season also divulged the truth about Ciri's parentage earlier than in Sapkowski's novels. This departure from the original books has sparked debate among longtime readers and fans who advocate for a more faithful adaptation. Regardless, it is evident that the third season will continue to revolve around Emhyr/Duny's quest to find his daughter.

Some updated images have been released for The Witcher season 3, offering new insights. Among these images, one captures Yennefer walking away from Geralt, while he is seen reaching for his weapon. In another image, Geralt is shown wearing a hood and standing alongside Yennefer, who is adorned with a lace mask. These scenes take place during Beltane, a festive celebration of fertility. As Henry Cavill's portrayal of Geralt concludes in this season, and with the revelation that he is leaving his role as a Witcher, it remains to be seen how this departure will impact Yennefer.

The Witcher Season 3 Trailer

The first trailer for season 3 of The Witcher was released on April 25, 2023, providing fans with a thrilling glimpse into the upcoming season. This preview marks the beginning of the end for Henry Cavill's portrayal of Geralt, as we see him preparing for a daunting battle by consuming a potion and unsheathing his sword. The intensity is further heightened by Geralt's chilling remark, "Now, for the first time, I understand real fear." As the trailer progresses, we are teased with the words "Everything changes," accompanied by captivating scenes such as Ciri desperately evading the Wild Hunt, Geralt engaging in a fierce fight with the newly cast Rience, and Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri embarking on a quest to reunite amidst a perplexing labyrinth. Considering that The Witcher season 3 draws inspiration from the book Time of Contempt, it is possible that Geralt will face off against a formidable Manticore.

In addition to the Wild Hunt closing in on Ciri, the third season of The Witcher appears to be leading towards the long-awaited reunion between Ciri and Geralt in Hirundum. Yennefer is shown casting a spell towards Francesca and Filavandrel, suggesting their involvement in trying to capture Ciri as well. Meanwhile, Jaskier finds himself at the mercy of Philippa, a sorceress who has come to collect his debts to Redanian Intelligence.

One of the most significant reveals in the new The Witcher season 3 trailer and posters is that it will be Henry Cavill's final portrayal of Geralt. It has been known since late 2022 that Liam Hemsworth will take over the role in season 4. However, for many fans online, seeing Cavill's last appearance as Geralt was a bittersweet moment. The trailer also announced two release dates for The Witcher season 3: Volume 1 on June 29, 2023, and Volume 2 on July 27, 2023. As the release dates approach, fans can expect more updates on The Witcher season 3.

The latest trailer for season 3 of The Witcher was released on June 8, providing fans with a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming season. This will also be Henry Cavill's final appearance in the series. Set to the tune of Radiohead's "Burn the Witch," the trailer showcases various events that will unfold in the new season. The primary focus is on the Wild Hunt's pursuit of Ciri, but Geralt vows to protect her at all costs, refusing to leave her side. Alongside Yennefer, they form an unwavering alliance.

The trailer also sheds light on Geralt's commitment to neutrality, which may not bring Ciri any grand recognition but will ensure her safety. However, as Jaskier warns Geralt, remaining neutral comes with consequences, and Geralt reluctantly agrees. This leads to intense and captivating fight sequences in the trailer, revealing that while Geralt may have favored neutrality in the past, circumstances in The Witcher season 3 leave him no choice but to engage in combat. As Ciri astutely remarks, "We're Witchers."