The Witcher season 3: release date, cast, plot, trailer and everything we know so far

All eight episodes of The Witcher season 3 are now available to stream on Netflix.

There were big reveals in The Witcher season 2 about Ciri's capabilities, and we're sure we'll be learning even more about her powers and seeing the trio take on even more horrible beasts when the epic fantasy saga continues this week.

In the first batch of episodes, we saw Geralt and Yennefer rebuilding their trust and preparing Ciri for the forces massing against our trio. In the second, our trio will find themselves in plenty more danger as they're divided across the Continent.

The big news, of course, is that The Witcher season 3's second volume means that we've officially seen the last of Henry Cavill as Geralt and we're waiting to see Liam Hemsworth take up the mantle. Rest assured, series producers promised that The Witcher season 3 would be a 'very strong' final showing for the outgoing star.

Here's everything you need to know about The Witcher season 3...

 The Witcher season 3 release date 

All eight episodes of The Witcher season 3 are now available to stream.

 The Witcher season 3 cast  

Naturally, you can't have The Witcher without our core characters, and we know that Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), Ciri (Freya Allan) and loveable bard Jaskier (Joey Bayer) will all be back in this new series (although we've since learned that Henry Cavill's hanging up his swords after this third entry, to be replaced by Liam Hemsworth).

Now that Triss Merigold (Anna Shaffer) has realized what Ciri is truly capable of, we’d expect to see her and her fellow mages returning in the next series. We also expect to see Geralt's fellow Witchers Vesemir (Kim Bodnia), Lambert (Paul Bullion) and Coen (Yasen Atour) return after surviving their ordeal in Kaer Morhen during the season finale of the first series.

As far as new faces go, Netflix has revealed the identity of four new actors who are joining the show for season 3.

Robbie Amell (Upload, Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City) is playing Gallatin, a born fighter who leads a guerrilla army fighting on behalf of the Nilfgaardian Empire. His loyalty to his own people, the Scoia’tael, is set to bring him into conflict with Francesca. 

Next up is Meng’er Zhang (Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings). Their character, Milva, is a talented human huntress who has been adopted by the dryads of Brokilon Forest. 

Hugh Skinner (Mamma Mia Here We Go Again!, Fleabag) is on hand as the royal playboy, Prince Radovid. Radovid is the younger brother of King Vizimir who inadvertently finds himself a man on the inside of the Redanian Intelligence who brings a drunken charm to the game of politics.

Finally, there’s Christelle Elwin (Half Bad). Christelle is playing Mistle whose part of a misfit teenage gang called 'The Rats'. Netflix tells us that Mistle is out for revenge for something until a chance encounter changes her path. 

Redanian Intelligence revealed six more actors have joined the show. According to their report, Ryan Hayes (Carnival Row) has joined as Artaud Terranova. In the books, Artaud was one of the mages who was hellbent on capturing Ciri. 

Polish actress Michalina Olszanska also signed on as a new sorceress, along with Kate Winter (Boogie Man) as Putney and Martyn Ellis (It's A Sin) as Barker. Finally, Harvey Quinn (Recaptured) and Poppy Almond (Blurred Lines) also joined the huge cast in undisclosed roles, though they were unmasked as Radcliffe and Biance, respectively.

The Witcher season 3 plot

We already knew that this forthcoming season would be based on Time of Contempt, the second novel in Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher series thanks to a tweet from the showrunner, Lauren Hissrich. 

Netflix’s official plot summary for The Witcher season 3 elaborates on what that means. It reads: “As monarchs, mages, and beasts of the Continent compete to capture her, Geralt takes Ciri of Cintra into hiding, determined to protect his newly-reunited family against those who threaten to destroy it.

Entrusted with Ciri’s magical training, Yennefer leads them to the protected fortress of Aretuza, where she hopes to discover more about the girl’s untapped powers; instead, they discover they’ve landed in a battlefield of political corruption, dark magic, and treachery. They must fight back, put everything on the line — or risk losing each other forever.”

Tudum has a big breakdown of what's to come in The Witcher season 3 that teases what's to come. The stakes are raised significantly in season 3, as warring factions are hunting Ciri down as she's been acknowledged as the most powerful being on the Continent. And whilst war has been threatened in the first two seasons, it's finally on the doorstep, leaving our core trio to figure out how to protect one another. Head over to the Tudum websitee if you'd like to check it out.

If you're interested in finding out exactly what Geralt gets up to in Time of Contempt before jumping into the series, be sure to check out our guide explaining how to read The Witcher books in order. And if you need a refresher on everything that's led up to The Witcher season 3, Joey Batey has recorded a full recap of what's come so far.

Is there a trailer?

Netflix has teased Henry Cavill's final few episodes with a new trailer for The Witcher season 3's second volume. In it, both Geralt and Ciri cross swords with plenty of foes, and Netflix teases Henry's departure from the role. Check it out here:

Here's the previous teaser for Volume 2, as well: 

At Tudum 2023, Netflix gave us a fresh look at The Witcher season 3 which finds Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri under attack from some invading elves and the sorcerer, Rience, who wished to kidnap the princess of Cintra from their care. As you'd expect, Geralt and Yen aren't willing to let that happen, and an epic fight ensues. 

The official trailer for The Witcher season 3 arrived on Friday, June 9. In it, we're treated to plenty of magic, and some slick swordsmanship from both Ciri and Geralt, and we get to see them take on some terrifying new monsters, to boot. It looks like Henry Cavill will be going out on a high! 

You can also find the teaser that was released in April below: 

Is there going to be a fourth season? Is Henry Cavill returning to The Witcher?

Netflix gave us a pretty shocking update for the future of The Witcher on October 29, 2022. Whilst there was some good news—The Witcher has been renewed for season 4 ahead of the third series' release later, a new star will be taking over as the White Wolf, as Henry Cavill is stepping away from the series.

"My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for season 4. In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf", Cavill said in a statement. 

"As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam's take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men. Liam, good sire, this character has such a wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find." 

Liam Hemsworth sounded like he was very excited to step into the role at the time. Of his new role, he said: "As a Witcher fan I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia". 

“Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I’m honored that he’s handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the White Wolf’s blades for the next chapter of his adventure. Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you brought to this beloved character. I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world.”

Since this initial announcement, we've learned that The Witcher has already been renewed for season 5, which is seemingly a big vote of confidence in our new White Wolf.