When adapting content from books and video games to the screen, deciding who to cast can be a real nightmare for production companies. Fans of the source material are always going to have their own ideas and preconceptions about what a character should look like and how exactly they should carry themselves. As a result, meeting these expectations is not always easy.
On the whole, the Netflix adaptation of The Witcher does an excellent job in this regard. Fan favorites are wonderfully brought to life while its villains are just as menacing as fans could have ever hoped for. Not all of the characters from the show appear in the games, but, of those that do, some were cast a little better than others.
Updated January 18, 2022, by Tom Bowen: The first season of Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher proved to be incredibly popular, though there was one common complaint. Many felt that the narrative structure adopted by the show's first season could at times be a little difficult to follow due to the way that it freely skipped between multiple time periods. The show's sophomore season addresses this complaint pretty effectively; instead opting for a more traditional linear narrative. These new story beats are consequently a lot simpler to understand, though the same cannot be said for some of the characters who are introduced while exploring them. Just like last time though, a lot of them are instantly recognizable due to how similar they look to their video game counterparts. Of course, there are one or two outliers, but, for the most part, at least, casting for season 2 of The Witcher is just as impressive as it was for the show's debut season.
12 Looks Similar: Geralt
There were a few question marks over whether or not Henry Cavill had what it took to pull off Geralt before the first season premiered. Those questions were answered pretty emphatically — and quickly too. Although not present in the books, his lack of a beard is a little noticeable and his scars could perhaps have been a little more pronounced. Other than that though, Cavill really does look the part.
One of the most impressive aspects of his performance is the attention to detail paid when it comes to some of Geralt's mannerisms. His deep voice, overt confidence, and natural charm perfectly capture Geralt and Cavill balances these things out with just the right amount of stoicism. Put simply, he nailed it.
11 Looks Different: Triss
Triss' bright red hair is one of her defining characteristics in both the books and the games. With that in mind, Anna Shaffer's curly black locks are a poor match. Likewise, her hazelnut eye color takes a lot away from Triss' piercing stare, which is arguably made all the more powerful by the vibrancy of the character's green eyes.
The character plays a relatively minor role in the books and so her appearance in season 1 seems to be more for the benefit of fans of the games than anybody else. Given her prominence in The Witcher 3, that's perhaps understandable. In fact, perhaps due to some of the criticism that the first season received, Triss receives an even bigger role in season 2. Shaffer's hair is also red in the second season, making her a much better match for the character.
10 Looks Similar: Yennefer
It was always going to be difficult to capture the flawless beauty that Yennefer exhibits in the game. That said, Anya Chalotra's natural beauty works absolutely fine, especially when contrasted with her grotesque appearance prior to her transformation. Her eye and hair colors are a good match and her fiery personality lines up not only with the games but also with the books.
One of the things that stands out most about Yen's appearance in the games is her wardrobe and the show once again delivers in this capacity. The costume department did a fantastic job of mirroring her signature look with plenty of great outfits appearing throughout the first two seasons. It really is hard to imagine anybody better for the role.
9 Looks Different: Duny / Emhyr
Bart Edwards' portrayal of Emhyr is a little difficult to compare to the version of Emhyr that fans meet in the games, not least because he spends most of the first season as a grotesque hedgehog man. When he finally returns to his human form, there are some vague similarities between the pair. Due to the rather large age gap though, their differences are a lot more pronounced.
The character was voiced by Charles Dance in The Witcher 3 and Emhyr's original design was loosely based on him as well. Whether or not Dance will return to the role in future seasons of the show remains unclear, although Edwards certainly has the acting chops to continue if required. One thing's for certain though, the worst side of Emhyr has yet to be shown. If the season 2 finale is anything to go by, the White Flame looks set to play a much bigger role in season 3.
8 Looks Similar: Roach
Some might see this one as a bit of a cop-out and that might not be an unfair assessment. Ultimately though, with Geralt naming all of his horses 'Roach' and CD Projekt RED doing such a great job when it came to modeling in-game horses, finding a horse to fit the bill was hardly a difficult job.
One major difference between Roach in the Netflix series and the games though is that it doesn't randomly glitch out or float in mid-air. That might have been pretty cool to see, but, given the circumstances, it's understandable why the production team opted not to include it.
7 Looks Different: Mousesack / Ermion
The version of Mousesack that viewers are introduced to in the Netflix series is a slightly younger one than is found in The Witcher 3, which could explain away some of the main differences between the two characters. Whilst shades of gray may be creeping in, Adam Levy's hair largely maintains its dark brown color, although both characters do have green eyes. Once again, the beard is a little on the short side.
The role that the two versions play is incredibly similar, however, as are their defining traits. Mousesack is supposed to be wise and incredibly intelligent and that's something that definitely comes across in the show. His relationship with Ciri is also accurately portrayed as is his friendship with Geralt.
6 Looks Similar: Ciri
Although Freya Allan's hair can sometimes appear a little more blonde than the ashen gray color that it's supposed to be, in the right light it looks to be a fairly decent match. Her eye color and the paleness of her skin are also accurate, although her freckles could perhaps do with being a little more noticeable as they can often get lost even when watching in 4K.
One of the areas that the show let itself down with Ciri was when it came to her personality. While her mental toughness and adaptability were clear for all to see, more could perhaps have been done to explore who she is as a person. This kind of character development will no doubt arrive in season two, but it would have been nice if they'd provided a little more in the debut season.
5 Looks Different: Fringilla
As well as having a darker skin tone, Mimi Ndiweni's brown eyes aren't a good match for Fringilla's traditionally green eyes. Her short hair is in keeping though, even if the style is a little different. In terms of costume, the Netflix adaptation opted for a more reserved look, which perhaps leads to the viewer taking the character a bit more seriously.
When it comes to her role throughout season one, the character is a lot closer to the version of Fringilla found in the books than the one who appears in The Witcher 3. There, she's a fairly minor character, whereas in the Netflix series she plays a much larger role — acting as one of the primary antagonists in the first two seasons.
4 Looks Similar: Jaskier / Dandelion
Not only has Jaskier's name been changed for the Netflix series, but also his wardrobe too. No longer does he go by the handle of Dandelion and gone away is his bright, flamboyant clothing. As with many of the show's other characters, the facial hair isn't quite right either. Ultimately though, these are all superficial differences.
Joey Batey's facial expressions and mannerisms are all right on the money and the writers did an excellent job of bringing Dandelion's larger-than-life personality to the screen. The character is perhaps a little closer to the books' representation than he is the games' though, which may explain why the team opted to call him Jaskier rather than Dandelion.
3 Looks Different: Eskel
Season 2 of The Witcher takes viewers to the Witcher stronghold of Kaer Morhen where they're introduced to some of Geralt's fellow Witchers. Eskel, like Geralt, is a member of the School of the Wolf and a close companion of the show's titular hero. While the pair's tight-knit relationship remains largely untouched in the Netflix show, however, the same cannot be said of its depiction of Eskel; nor the character's fate.
Basil Eidenbenz is a fine actor, but being just shy of ten years younger than Cavill — who arguably looks even older than he actually is while portraying Geralt — it's difficult to imagine the two characters having grown up and trained together. Danish actor Thue Rasmussen — the man who was originally cast to play Eskel — would perhaps have been a much better fit in this regard, but had to leave the production due to a scheduling clash.
2 Looks Similar: Vesemir
If Eskel was like a brother to Geralt, then Vesemir was like a father. The grizzled old Witcher was one of the few members of the School of the Wolf to survive the twelfth century attack on Kaer Morhen and subsequently helped to both raise and train the young would-be Witchers. Kim Bodnia was the man tasked with portraying Vesemir in the Netflix show and, for the most part, at least, does an exceptional job.
From his very first frame on screen, Bodnia is instantly recognizable as Vesemir, which is more than can be said for some of the other actors and their respective roles. His hair is pretty much a perfect match and although his eyes aren't quite right for the character, this isn't nearly enough to break the illusion. Bodnia also nails a lot of Vesemir's characteristics and therefore makes for a fantastic addition to the show's ever-expanding cast.
1 Looks Different: King Foltest
Given that King Foltest is only ever shown wearing a mail coif in the games, it's difficult to say for certain how good a match Shaun Dooley's hair is for the character. When it comes to the face though, there are quite a few differences. For once the team overdid it in terms of facial hair and Dooley's eyes are blue rather than brown.
The biggest difference, however, comes in terms of their personalities. Dooley's Foltest is covered in cowardice and could not be more unkingly if he tried. While his incestuous nature is in keeping with the books and games, previous versions of the character at least remained somewhat likable in spite of these things. The same cannot be said for the version of Foltest found in the Netflix show.