The release plans for a new Witcher project sparked strong speculation, shifting focus from Geralt of Rivia to a fresh Witcher taking center stage.
Industry insiders have been discussing the ongoing evolution of the Witcher franchise, rooted in Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels and the popular game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The conversation intensified as Netflix prepared a film and later a series arc featuring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, prompting questions about what’s next for the saga. Sources now indicate a prequel titled The Witcher: Origins, or The Witcher: Blood Origin, will introduce a different Witcher and bookend a long-standing chapter of the story. The anticipated release window pointed to late December, with dates being considered for December 24, 25, or 26, though the exact day remained undecided at the time of reporting.
Additional rumors surrounded the cast and narrative choices for The Witcher: Origins. Reports suggested actor Joey Batey, known to fans for his role as Jaskier in the main series, might participate in a brief additional shoot in April. If included, Batey would assume a narrator role rather than appearing as Buttercup, since the prequel is set about 1,200 years before Geralt’s adventures in the established timeline. Some industry chatter also claimed the final version would feature four episodes instead of six, though these details had not been officially confirmed. In any case, Geralt himself would not be a presence in the new arc, making way for a new Witcher to lead the narrative.
The Witcher: Origins is positioned as a Netflix release set at the tail end of the initial storytelling era for the franchise. The storyline centers on the Conjunction, a pivotal event in the Witcher universe that fused humans and elves, birthing magic and monsters into existence. Viewers are expected to witness how the first Witcher was created, offering a mythic backstory to the world fans already know. The project aims to expand the lore while maintaining the tonal and visual identity that has attracted a broad audience across North America.
As the broader Witcher saga continues to unfold, audiences in Canada and the United States will find that the franchise remains deeply anchored in its mythic roots and high-concept fantasy. The approach is to balance new character perspectives with recognizable world-building elements that long-time fans appreciate, while inviting newcomers to explore a mythology that predates Geralt’s era. The evolution reflects a trend in streaming franchises to diversify storytelling—introducing fresh protagonists and new eras without abandoning the core universe that drew readers and gamers into the Witcher experience. In this light, The Witcher: Origins promises to deepen the history behind themed magic, monster lore, and the ancient orders shaping the world, all while preserving the cinematic quality and serialized pacing fans expect from Netflix.