The Witcher 3, CD Projekt Red's epic monster-hunting RPG, is considered by many to be one of the most influential games of the previous decade. Based on the book series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, the game follows the exploits of mutant monster-hunter Geralt of Rivia. As the titular Witcher, Geralt tries to live simply as a monster-hunter, but always seems to end up dragged into the plots of powerful kings and scheming sorcerers.
It's easy to see how the game's run-away success may have helped lead to the creation of a new Netflix adaptation, which premiered in December. Although many characters and themes are instantly recognizable from the games, it's worth noting that the series is more accurately an adaptation of the books. This means that there are many different faces and even a few different names attached to familiar characters.
Beware of SPOILERS below, not only for the games and current season of the show, but potentially for future seasons as well.
Dandelion
Unlike most on this list, Dandelion not only has a different look in the Netflix series, but also a different name. Through all this, however, he remains one of the easiest to recognize. Anyone who's played the games will have no problem connecting wandering bard Jaskier with the Dandelion that they're familiar with. From his first, scene he's instantly recognizable, even with actor Joey Batey's English accent rather than the American one he has in the games.
As Geralt's friend and travelling companion, Dandelion/Jaskier is one of the few people who can claim to know the stoic Witcher well. Although Geralt was initially irritated by the bard, he soon warmed to the young man's wit and underlying good nature in his own, curmudgeonly way. In the show, Jaskier helps Geralt raise his public image, writing the ear-worm-inducing "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher" to commemorate his achievements. The name Jaskier is in fact the character's original Polish name, which translates directly to Buttercup. During the game's development, it was decided that this was too feminine in English, so Dandelion was chosen instead.
Triss Merigold
Perhaps the most important character from the games to be sporting a radically different look in the series is Triss Merigold. Geralt's Sorceress friend and potential love-interest appears in the third, seventh, and eighth episodes of the show, played by actress Anna Shaffer. Although Triss is perhaps the character to look most different to her game incarnation, her personality remains very recognizable.
From her first appearance in the show, it's clear that she's a Sorceress prepared to entertain unconventional ideas and unusual methods. Although there is some potential flirting between her and Geralt, anyone looking for the romance that the two share in the games will be sorely disappointed. In fact, they have no interaction at all beyond episode three, and the two don't even share a scene for the rest of the show.
Ermion
Another character to have a different name in the show as well as a different look is Ermion the Druid. Appearing as Mousesack in the Netflix series, Ermion serves as Queen Calanthe's advisor and helps tutor Ciri during her childhood. A wise and good-natured man, he is deeply disturbed by the potential consequences of Geralt avoiding his destiny with Ciri.
Although actor Adam Levy sports a slicker, more courtly look than the druidic skins Ermion wears in the games, it's worth remembering that there's a good amount of time between the two appearances. It could be that the game's Ermion also dressed in that style while in Calanthe's court, but had moved to a more rustic look upon returning to his native Skellige where Geralt first encounters him. It looks unlikely that the show's Ermion will be able to do the same, as he was killed by a Doppler in a Nilfgaardian plot.
Fringilla Vigo
A Sorceress of considerable talent and grim reputation, Fringilla Vigo plays a slightly more central role in the show than she does in the games. While there she is only recruited by Geralt for the final battle against the Wild Hunt, in the Netflix series she leads Nilfgaard's sorcerers in the vanguard of their army.
Portrayed by British-Zimbabwean actress Mimi Ndiweni, the show's Fringilla maintains the character's signature close-cut black hair. This helps to establish her no-nonsense, militaristic approach to magic, an attitude fostered by the harsh training of Nilfgaardian Sorcerers. In the show, she serves as a direct antagonist, leading the magical assault at the Battle of Sodden and later disabling Tissaia de Vries, Yennefer's mentor.
Emhyr Var Emreis
One of the easiest characters to miss in the show is Ciri's father and future Emperor of Nilfgaard, Emhyr Var Emreis. During his first appearance in the series, he is still a young, unmarried man, and is living under both a curse and the false name Duny. His curse is the face of a beast, applied with a heavy amount of make-up to actor Bart Edwards, though it is quickly broken upon his marriage to Ciri's mother.
While he isn't seen again after the time-skip in which Ciri grows up, there are occasional hints that Nilfgaard's new conquests are the result of a usurped line reclaiming the throne. The White Flame, as the new Emperor is named by the various Nilfgaardian characters, is clearly a charismatic leader, though we are given no hint of his connection to Duny. The only sign that he is related to Ciri is that Nilfgaard's agents are desperately searching for her, and will do anything to take her alive.
The Witcher is currently available on Netflix.