Netflix appears to be eager to expand The Witcher as quickly as it can, as evidenced by a new report suggesting Seasons 4 and 5 have already commenced development, months ahead of Season 3's speculated release window.
According to Redanian Intelligence, The Witcher's writers' room, currently consisting of showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich, Mike Ostrowski, Tania Lotia, Haily Hall, Rae Benjamin, Clare Higgins, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Matthew D’Ambrosio and Troy Dangerfield, have already begun writing the next two seasons. It is estimated filming will likely begin in late 2023, after the release of The Witcher Season 3.
In recent months, it was reported Netflix had already greenlit the next two seasons and that the intention is to film Seasons 4 and 5 back-to-back. It should be noted the streaming giant has not officially confirmed any news concerning the next two seasons. However, director Stephen Surjik previously hinted rough plans had been set early on, stating back in April, "The writers and producers mapped out Season 4... I don't know if I'm part of that mapping program, but at least they told me that they're mapping it out."
Aside from the first season, The Witcher has attempted to adapt one book from Andrzej Sapkowski's novel saga per season. Season 1 adapted both The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, while Season 2 centered on Blood of Elves. Season 3 is expected to adapt Time of Contempt, which leaves Baptism of Fire and The Tower of the Swallow for Seasons 4 and 5, respectively.
The Witcher: Blood Origin
Season 3 of The Witcher wrapped filming in September, but there has been little news about the show since then. This year's focus has been on the establishment of The World of The Witcher and the upcoming live-action spinoff series, The Witcher: Blood Origin, which takes place over a thousand years before the events of the main series.
While it was originally announced as a six-part limited series, The Witcher: Blood Origin will consist of four episodes, narrated by Minnie Driver's elven character, Seanchaí, an entirely new character. In fact, the show will introduce a number of new characters to Netflix's growing Witcher universe, never before seen in either the video games or Sapkowski's novels. These include the main characters, Fjall 'Stoneheart,' Eile 'The Lark' Lithe and Scian, played by Laurence O'Fuarain, Sophia Brown and Michelle Yeoh, respectively.
The Witcher: Blood Origin is scheduled to release on Netflix on Dec. 25.
Source: Redanian Intelligence