Season 3 Is a ‘Much More Direct Adaptation’ of Book

The Witcher showrunner Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich has revealed that Season 3 of the Netflix series will be a “more direct” adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski‘s Time of Contempt.

Will The Witcher Season 3 be a more accurate adaptation?

While speaking with journalists during a set visit, the showrunner talked about the process of adapting the books and how things end up being changed, acknowledging that fans weren’t fond of some of the changes from past seasons of the series. She then revealed that Season 3, which is based on the book Time of Contempt, will be a closer adaptation.

“Season 3, especially on the heels of Season 2, is a much more direct adaptation,” Schmidt-Hissrich noted (via Collider.) “Again, just from a basic writing perspective, the book is so easily adaptable. And it really is … It can be broken down into big events.”

“As monarchs, mages, and beasts of the Continent compete to capture her, Geralt takes Ciri into hiding, determined to protect his newly-reunited family against those who threaten to destroy it,” reads Season 3’s synopsis. “Entrusted with Ciri’s magical training, Yennefer leads them to the protected fortress of Aretuza, where they hope to uncover more about the girl’s untapped powers; instead, they discover they’ve landed in a battlefield of political corruption, dark magic, and treachery. They must fight back, put everything on the line – or risk losing each other forever.”

The Witcher is an epic tale of fate and family, which centers around the solitary monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, powerful sorceress Yennefer, and young Cintrian princess Ciri as they learn to navigate the increasingly volatile Continent together.

The series is being led by Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, Freya Allan as Princess Ciri, Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Joey Batey as Jaskier. Season 3 marks Cavill’s final season as the titular hunter, as he will be replaced by Hunger Games vet Liam Hemsworth in the fourth installment.

Based on the stories and novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher is created and executive produced by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, who also serves as the showrunner. Sean Daniel and Jason Brown of Sean Daniel Company executive produce along with Tomek Baginski and Jarek Sawko of Platige Image.