- Showrunner Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich defends the Netflix series’ deviations from the original books and games.
- Hissrich confirms that the show exists as a separate entity and doesn’t erase the source material for fans.
- It has been officially announced that The Witcher will conclude with Season 5, with Hissrich planning to step back afterward.
- The show was renewed for Seasons 4 and 5 simultaneously, allowing the creative team to write a definitive ending.
As Netflix’s The Witcher prepares for its fourth season, showrunner Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich has directly addressed the growing backlash from fans who are critical of the show’s departure from its source material. In the face of controversy, particularly surrounding the recasting of Geralt of Rivia, Hissrich is defending the adaptive choices made for the series.
Defending a New Adaptation
In a recent interview, Hissrich tackled the concerns of book and video game purists head-on. She emphasized that the Netflix show is just one interpretation of a beloved world and was never intended to replace the originals.
“No one is taking the books away. No one is taking the video games away,” Hissrich stated. “I think everyone can have their version of The Witcher and this is this version.”
She explained the difficulty of catering to multiple audiences—from die-hard book fans to newcomers—and the necessity of making changes to fit the medium of television.
The Challenges of Television Storytelling
Hissrich elaborated on the structural challenges of adapting Andrzej Sapkowski’s work. With only eight hours per season, it’s impossible to include every detail from the sprawling novels and short stories. She pointed to Season 1 as a prime example, where the team had to weave together disconnected adventures to create a cohesive narrative arc for the main characters.
“You can’t just tell unrelated adventures in a season of television,” she explained. “You have to start to weave them together… at that point it was connective tissue.”
The End is Officially in Sight
Perhaps the most significant news is the confirmation that the series has a planned conclusion. Netflix renewed The Witcher for both Season 4 and Season 5 at the same time, giving the writers a clear endpoint to work towards. This has allowed them to craft the remaining story with a definitive finale in mind.
Hissrich also hinted that her own journey with The Witcher will conclude with the show. “By the time we wrap Season 5 fully, it will have been nine years of my life,” she said, suggesting it’s the right time to step back and allow the story they’ve told to come to a graceful end.
As fans await the arrival of Liam Hemsworth as the new Geralt, the show’s final two seasons are set to bring this controversial, yet massively popular, adaptation to its ultimate close.
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