The Witcher Season 4: A Surprising Delay in Store for Fans

Highlights

The Witcher Season 4 won't begin filming until 2024 due to industry-wide work stoppage caused by strikes.

The strike has impacted numerous shows, however, fantasy series set in the UK, such as The Witcher, managed to carry on with production. The production delay might be attributed to multiple factors, including the requirement of Equity actors and the substitution of the lead actor for the character Geralt.

Netflix's The Witcher was originally planned for speedy production, but recent reports indicate that filming for season 4 will be delayed until 2024.

Unlike other shows impacted by the industry-wide work stoppage caused by the Writers Guild of America strike in May 2023, The Witcher seemed to be unaffected. This strike, which was a result of studios failing to meet fair wage demands, had a negative impact on various shows like Daredevil: Born Again and The Penguin. Later on, SAG-AFTRA also joined the strike, marking a historic event not witnessed since the 1960s. This labor dispute effectively halted the production of narrative films and television series. However, a few exceptional fantasy series based in the U.K., including House of the Dragon and The Witcher, were able to continue production because their actors were members of Equity, the British actors union, rather than SAG-AFTRA.

As a result, the anticipation for Liam Hemsworth to embody the role of the formidable Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, seemed to suggest an earlier arrival of season 4. However, recent reports indicate that the release of season 4 might be further delayed than initially anticipated. Redanian Intelligence, a news site dedicated to all things The Witcher, has announced that production for the Netflix series has experienced a setback. Initially, speculations indicated that filming for The Witcher season 4 would commence in September 2023. Unfortunately, it now appears that fans will have to wait until 2024 for filming to commence.

Fans can only speculate on the reasons for The Witcher's delay, which is likely related to the ongoing strike. While equity actors may be able to continue filming, there are many other aspects involved in creating a cohesive television season. Filming often requires the services of writers, even after the scripts have been submitted. Rewrites are frequently done on set to enhance dialogue or ensure continuity. Additionally, the added complication of actors being on strike adds to the challenges. Although most of The Witcher's actors are from the U.K., the replacement actor for Geralt, who despises portals, is Australian. Although production could work around Hemsworth's absence, it is difficult to shoot a show without the main character.

The timing of this actor change couldn't be worse for The Witcher. Henry Cavill dedicated himself wholeheartedly to portraying Geralt to the best of his abilities. As a passionate player of the games and an avid reader of the books, he always emphasized staying true to the source material. Fans may never understand why he chose to leave before his contract ended, but it appears to be a significant blow to the series. Recasting the lead role is one thing, but the show has always generated controversy. From criticism about confusing timelines to controversies surrounding The Witcher writers' room mocking the source material, it is uncertain if anyone will continue to support the show after the creative strike concludes.

The Witcher seasons 1-3 are currently streaming on Netflix.

Source: Redanian Intelligence