For the most part, Netflix's The Witcher is an excellent adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski's renowned book series. The series introduced the franchise to a wider audience while also letting fans of the games learn more about its background. The Witcher is one of Netflix's most popular titles, and for good reason.
The Witcher is often commended for being a pragmatic adaptation of the books. Rather than trying to adapt every storyline and character, the series focuses on broader themes and tone. There were limited deviations in the first season, but the changes have become more significant in the second season. Some of these changes have been popular, while others have been criticized by fans.
10 Cahir Handily Defeating Vilgefortz
Cahir, a knight of Nilfgaard, receives a significant expansion in the show compared to his role in the books. He is introduced early on and serves as a point-of-view character for Nilfgaard's efforts to capture Ciri. This sets him up as one of The Witcher's overarching antagonists. When the Battle of Sodden Hill takes place at the climax of the show's first season, Cahir faces down Vilgefortz, the best soldier among the mages.
Vilgefortz is the ultimate villain of The Witcher book series, able to defeat Geralt easily, but he is soundly thrashed by Cahir in the show. Given the hints about his uncertain loyalties, it's possible he actually threw the fight on purpose. But seeing him defeated so easily may impact how threatening he seems to audiences.
9 The Removal Of Fairy Tale Elements
The short stories that introduced audiences to Geralt and the world of The Witcher are undeniably influenced by traditional fairytales and folklore. The Lesser Evil focuses on Renfri and reads like a twisted version of Snow White.
Similarly, the story of Nivellen and the Bruxa is a dark mirror of Beauty and the Beast. For the most part, the Netflix adaptation of The Witcher abandons this angle in favor of more straightforward stories without fairy tale elements.
8 Ciri And Yennefer's Early Interactions
The familial relationship between Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Ciri is the emotional core of The Witcher. The three bond over loss and form an ersatz family, with Geralt and Yennefer taking on the role of Ciri's parents.
Fans were looking forward to seeing Yennefer and Ciri bond in The Witcher's second season, only for Yennefer to attempt to sacrifice the girl to regain her magic. Although Yennefer changes her tune by the end, many fans were still disappointed to see the relationship start on such a sour note.
7 Having Calanthe Order A Purge Of Elves – As A Side Note
Calanthe is a morally dubious figure in The Witcher. She is a strong Northern Queen who loves her family and hates Nilfgaard, but is also an unquestionably ruthless woman who does not enjoy being questioned. In the show, Calanthe orders a purge of those with Elven blood from Cintra despite having Elven blood herself. Had the show focused more on this decision and the repercussions, it could have been a more justified change, but this is treated as set dressing. It feels like a change to Calanthe's morality for no real reason.
6 Making Eyck Of Denesle A Far More One-Dimensional Character
Even minor side characters tends to be well-fleshed in a way that makes them feel human in the books. They all have their own mixture of virtues and flaws. This is one of the biggest draws of the books, and something fans were eager to see in the show.
Eyck of Denesle is a cold knight bigoted against mutants and sorcerers, but he's also dutiful, honor-bound, and thoroughly capable. In the show, he is simplified into a pompous, unintelligent, and easily-killed follower of Yennefer. It's not the most significant change, but many were hoping to see him as fleshed-out as he was in the books.
5 Much Of Geralt And Yennefer's Relationship Is Skipped Or Happens Offscreen
Geralt and Yennefer's relationship is at the heart of the Witcher series. They care deeply for one another but have complicated ways of showing it and trouble managing their feelings. In the books, their attempts over many years to form a stable relationship are known across the entire continent.
In the show, the relationship goes from their first meeting in one episode to implied years of connection in the next. The actors have enough chemistry to make their relationship believable, but many fans were disappointed that so little was shown directly.
4 Nilfgaardian Armor's Initial Appearance
For the most part, the aesthetics and costuming of The Witcher TV show are heavily praised, with many saying that the world looks authentic and feels alive. In the first season, however, there was one choice that was roundly mocked by critics and fans alike.
Nilfgaardian soldiers in the books wear conventional armor in black and grey colors. In the show's first season, Nilfgaardian armor was rounded, bulbous, and covered in ripples that looked somewhat like veins. Many found this design to be ridiculous and said that it limited how threatening Nilfgaard appeared to be.
3 The Tension In Geralt And Jaskier's Friendship
Both the books and the show feature the friendship between Geralt and the bard Jaskier, known as Dandelion in some translations. Traveling around with Geralt, Jaskier often serves as a partner in crime and a confidant to the Witcher – one of his closest friends.
In The Witcher's books, Geralt is very vocal about this friendship, openly enjoying Jaskier's company. But in the show, particularly its first season, Geralt primarily treats the bard with contempt and denies that they're even friends. This joke wore thin quickly, and the change robbed their friendship of its emotional weight.
2 Killing Eskel In His First Appearance
Eskel is a fan-favorite Witcher who makes several appearances in both the books and the video games. His genuine friendship with Geralt, his lighthearted disposition, and his combat skills all make fans excited to see Eskel every time he shows up.
The Witcher introduced Eskel in its second season, to the delight of audiences. In his very first episode, however, Eskel is revealed to be infected by a Leshy and Geralt must kill him. The twist was unexpected, but at the cost of a well-liked character.
1 Geralt And Ciri's First Meeting Being Less Meaningful
The meeting between Geralt and Ciri in the books is a deeply emotional moment and a culmination of everything up until that point. The two have a prior connection, but it is this meeting that causes Geralt to finally believe in Destiny. He intentionally invoked the Law of Surprise twice and received Ciri both times.
The moment is still emotional in the show, but mainly as the capstone of Ciri's storyline. With the second Law of Surprise treated as a throwaway joke and Geralt's focus being solely on Yennefer, the moment loses some of its importance. Fans still enjoyed their parental relationship in the second season, but it was a change for the worse in the grand story of The Witcher.