Last month, Netflix released the first volume of The Witcher Season 3, consisting of five episodes filled with monster slaying, political intrigue, and magical conspiracies. With the upcoming release of the second volume, we had the opportunity to speak with stars Joey Batey, Freya Allan, and Anya Chalotra to discuss their thoughts on the season so far and provide a sneak peek of what’s to come.
In Season 3, the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg assumes a powerful role as a political influencer. In the final episode of the first volume, she brings together kings and mages from across the continent to stand against Nilfgaard’s tyranny. Anya Chalotra, who portrays Yennefer, expresses her love for portraying this side of the character. She states, “Yennefer has showcased immense strength throughout the series, but this particular phase of her life takes her by surprise. Yet again, she discovers a deeper source of power that allows her to bring positive change to the world, not just for herself but for everyone.”
The first volume’s final episode also unveils the revelation that the evil sorcerer Vilgefortz is behind the hunt for Ciri and is working alongside Nilfgaard. This revelation comes as a shock to the mages of Aretuza. Chalotra teases the upcoming volume, stating, “With the impact of this reveal on Tissaia, Yennefer realizes that she must step up and take charge. She not only does it for Tissaia and Ciri but also for the entire Continent. Yennefer is fully aware of her tremendous power and knows how to execute her abilities effectively.”
Meanwhile, Geralt’s close comrade, Jaskier, embarks on adventurous and romantic exploits. The penultimate episode of the first volume hints at a romantic connection between Jaskier and Prince Radovid, the next in line to the throne of Redania. Joey Batey, who portrays Jaskier, sheds light on their relationship, stating, “Jaskier is drawn to Radovid because he sees similarities in their energies. He recognizes Radovid’s intelligence and senses that he’s concealing a deeper persona. Jaskier is willing to explore his own emotions and risks his life because the journey and adventure are worthwhile.”
While the inclusion of Radovid and the romantic subplot deviates from the books, Batey acknowledges that the show remains rooted in the source material. He expresses, “The show adheres to the books to a certain extent. The books serve as the foundation for building these characters. However, we are dealing with two visions—the one created by Sapkowski and the one adapted by showrunner Lauren Hissrich. Our task is to embody the characters, striking a balance between these two visions while remaining true to the original characters.”
Jaskier’s entanglement in the perilous world of espionage draws inspiration from the books. Batey mentions, “In season two, there were hints at Jaskier involving himself in the political machinations of the Continent. He may not always make the right decisions, but he does so because he has discovered what is truly important to him. Jaskier is willing to risk his life for the most significant person in his life and this newfound family.”
Ciri faces greater threats and dangers in Season 3, prompting actress Freya Allan to learn the art of combat. After training with a wooden sword in the previous season, Ciri wields a sharpened blade this year. Allan shares her experience, saying, “Working with Wolfgang Stegemann, the stunt coordinator, was incredible. We developed a fighting style reminiscent of Geralt’s but tailored to my physicality. Being smaller and more agile allowed for adaptations in my fighting technique. Geralt has trained Ciri, so it made sense for us to work on a style that carried meaning.”
In addition to battling adversaries, Ciri also faces challenges surviving the Korath desert in Volume 2, which adapts the ‘Frying Pan’ section from the Time of Contempt book. Allan reflects on the difficulties of shooting this episode, recalling the scorching heat and the isolation. She states, “It was a crazy experience. Filming a whole episode alone was entirely new, but as an actor, I appreciated the opportunity. The conditions were extreme, with daily temperatures reaching 46 degrees Celsius. However, it added authenticity to the journey, and I found it helpful to immerse myself in Ciri’s ordeal. Although, I made sure to stay hydrated and did not go without water!”
During Netflix’s Tudum event, Henry Cavill expressed his admiration for his fellow cast members, commending their ability to infuse depth and complexity into their portrayals. We inquired about the origins of that nuance and what influenced their performances. Batey reveals, “Nuance arises from different sources. Each season, I choose two or three books to focus on, along with musical artists who inspire me. I also engage in historical research. This season, Kae Tempest, Fitzgerald, and characters like Dick Diver from Tender is the Night influenced my portrayal. And at the end of the day, Joni Mitchell’s voice lulls me to sleep.”
Allan explains that each season brings new approaches to her character. In the first season, she drew from her personal experiences and relied on the overwhelming nature of everything around her, much like Ciri’s circumstances. She adds, “For season one, I had to create many of Ciri’s memories from her past. However, now we have those shared memories with the characters, allowing us to fully dive into our roles.”
Chalotra takes a more personal approach to understand her character:
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Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
