I have rediscovered Henry Cavill through Netflix’s latest masterpiece, The Witcher. If you are a gaming enthusiast you have no doubt heard of the Witcher game series. The story revolves around Geralt of Rivia, a manmade Witcher who travels the Continent in search of coin, monsters and fleeting distractions. Of course, as they say, you can’t outrun your destiny forever.
Cavill’s portrayal of Geralt is spot on, from his appearance to his voice, nailing the brooding and reluctant hero sprinkled with deadpan comedic interjections. He takes the smallest of lines and breathes depth and character in them. He is able to take a “hmm” or a single-word expression like “f*ck”, and turn them into mountains of information communicated on-screen with his posture and emotive facial expressions — something many actors are not readily able to do. You feel what he is conveying to you, rather than just see.
The creators of this series spent a while deliberating how they would go about bringing the story to screen. It turns out they made a wise decision when electing to introduce all three main characters early on in the first season. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich comments, “Audiences will go on a journey through a fantastical world as we follow the arcs of three very different characters who always felt they were destined to be alone, yet somehow find each other, and with that their salvation.”
If they had stuck strictly to the books or games, the other two main characters would not show up until the end of season one / season two. They have chosen to bring them to life with various timelines running simultaneously to get the audience invested in the characters early on. And considering their choices, I think this is the best one they could have made.
The two other main characters of this fantasy-adventure series are Freya Allan, who plays Princess Cirilla; and Anya Chalotra, who portrays Yennefer of Vengerberg — a powerful and misunderstood sorceress. Chalotra says about her character, “Yennefer is in a constant battle with herself. She is never satisfied, always striving for something else. She’s vulnerable but courageous, fears both rejection and love.”
Princess Cirilla had been protected her entire life and then suddenly she is thrust into a violent, uncaring world of would-be enemies or allies … never knowing which one is which on many occasions. Allan says of her character, “Ciri is relentless and not afraid to ask questions. Very stubborn but also naïve. Having lost everyone, she suddenly discovers things she never knew.”
The Witcher also cleverly introduces some much needed comic relief with the incorporation of Jaskier (the bard), played by Joey Batey. He develops into Geralt’s trusty sidekick, always there to provide the next ballad or blunder.
While there are definitely political story aspects, the main focal points continue from beginning to end in season one where Geralt’s destiny is tied to the girl in the woods. There various intertwined tales and timelines that lead to the inevitable convergence of characters and time. It is a magical, fantastical world of mages and elves, monsters and legends. While there have been comparisons to Game of Thrones, in my opinion, it is nothing like it.
The costumes, sets, story, and performances are all done very well, leading to a totally immersive experience. Admittedly, I was hooked from the beginning and watched it straight through to the end of its last episode in season one. The only thing missing now is season two.
I write like I think—fast, curious, and a little feral. I chase the weird, the witty, and the why-is-this-happening-now. From AI meltdowns to fashion glow-ups, if it makes you raise an eyebrow or rethink your algorithm, I’m probably writing about it. Expect sharp takes, occasional sarcasm, and zero tolerance for boring content.
