The Witcher season three spoilers follow.
When The Witcher star Anya Chalotra described season three as a "wild journey" she wasn't kidding.
A lot went down in Witcher's season three finale: scheming, threats of revenge, new alliances and tragic, tragic losses, which truly mark the end of an era.
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While the shocking on-screen death of one character in particular will, no doubt, leave fans heartbroken, nothing could compare with the departure of Henry Cavill as the White Wolf, Geralt of Rivia.
Cavill's season-three arc saw his character transformed, but he wasn't the only one.
In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, Chalotra breaks down the surprising healing journey for her character Yennefer, what it was like working with Cavill and her hopes for on-screen chemistry with Liam Hemsworth in Witcher season four.
This season you got to explore Yennefer's relationship with Geralt and take it to extreme emotional heights. You went from a place of mistrust and guilt to "I love you" to "I need you". What was it like to work with Henry on building that relationship, layer by layer?
Anya: I mean, he's always so supportive, to begin with. Very open to receiving whatever, however you interpret a scene or a moment.
There's a lot of trust that we've built together for the past five years, so there's no one I'd rather have done this season with, with all its twists and turns.
I'd say it was quite easy and fun this season because we kind of knew where we were headed a bit more. There was a greater purpose for us both, which was Ciri, and I think that really allowed us to hear each other for the first time; to really know what was between us without our egos.
Yennefer's maternal side is a huge part of her story arc, and it's something that has really, really blossomed this season. Can you talk us through developing that side of her character, and building up to the moment when she says, "I love you, my daughter" to Ciri?
I didn't know what it was going to be like, honestly. Having gone through my character's experience, and to really live that, and that being in my muscle memory.
[Especially] knowing where the books are headed, and knowing that I was going to play that moment with Ciri eventually – a kind of maternal figure – I thought I knew what that would be like. But actually it took me by surprise, yet again.
I don't think Yennefer was prepared for what motherhood would actually mean. It's not outside of herself. There's nothing that she can wear, you know? Because Ciri sees through that.
I think when Ciri sees through that, it really hits Yennefer that actually there might be a lot of work that she needs to do, that she might need to do in front of Ciri, to show Ciri that she can be trusted; that she is her equal.
We guess that she's safe.
Yeah, that she's safe. It was a wild journey.
There's a lot of vulnerability that Yennefer's not used to delving into, just in kind of adopting that role of being Ciri's mother.
Yeah. She's never had a mother figure, really. Well, she's had Tissaia. She's had a biological mother who she was ripped apart from. That's unconventional. That's harsh love. She's also always destined to be a mother. That's what she's wanted. That's been her drive, because she had something ripped away from her, and taken away from her, and ripped out of her.
I think her drive to become a mother has been out of pain and regret, maybe, and certainly emotion. Now she's living it with Ciri in a very different way. She now understands that being a mother requires a real connection, a deeper connection; something that is to be challenged.
It means a lot!
It's almost healing for her.
It is healing for her. A lot of wounds are being healed in the process of becoming a mother.
With Tissaia being like a mother to Yennefer, how do you think her death under those circumstances will affect Yennefer going forward? How will it change her?
She's got a greater purpose now, and it's Ciri. I think she's got to step up to that and draw strength from Tissaia.
We know there's always the source material but when you read the script, and you saw how that death was going to unfold, what was your reaction?
What you see. Yeah, it was horrible. Also, I just don't want MyAnna to go [laughs]. Yes, it was Yennefer and Tissaia, and I was playing that beat. But it's a loss to the show as well. She's carried a lot of people.
And you know what? I'm also so excited for her – she really has carried so many people along the way. A lot of us started with The Witcher. She's been our mentor.
Fans have been waiting for Vilgefortz to reveal that he's evil for some time. What do you think of the way the show handles it? Do you think they'll be satisfied?
I hope so. I can only hope, because we want to honour the books, ultimately. There are certain things we've had to adapt for TV, and I know that's controversial. But I do also think it's important to have different people's perspectives in the show.
Even though it's rooted in the books, and it's fantasy, it can be progressive in some ways. I hope we honour it in the best way that joins everyone's perspectives and ideas together.
Was there anything in Vilgefortz's reveal that was new for the show, that the show kind of twisted or changed or added to?
There were quite a few moments, actually, but, ultimately, it's all heading in the same direction, and hopefully will make that shock so much more real for people, and present.
The chemistry between you and Henry Cavill's Geralt is one of the many, many draws of the show. As Liam steps into this monster-slaying role, do you worry about the fans' response about how different it might be?
I'm not worried. He's going to be brilliant. I really think so. I mean, we've spent five years going on this journey together, and I'm so excited for Henry.
At some point, that had to come to an end, his portrayal of Geralt, and that's been incredible. We've had such a wonderful time with him. But also bringing in new people to this journey we're on is so exciting at this stage.
There's no doubt that Liam will probably bring his own magic to the role but is there any part of the existing relationship between Geralt and Yennefer – or their chemistry – that you want to ensure stays intact?
The chemistry. Yeah, that. I know their relationship means a lot to people who love the books. It's also just so complex, and, in every stage, there's something else to be found. I mean, they're 100-odd years old, and they're still going [laughs]. They still love each other. There's something there.
There's a line you say to Geralt in the final moments of the series. "Neutrality be damned." Neutrality is huge for him. What kind of change do you think Yennefer is expecting from him, for her to have said that?
A presence with what's going on around him, and with this new-found family he has, I suppose. Being present with all those feelings. As much as she's responding to that change, she wants him to do the same, and to, I suppose, feel that, and see that.
Are there any storylines or specific moments from the books that you're hoping to see in season 4?
Ciri and the Rats. I'm excited to see that for her, for Ciri, for Freya [Allen, who plays Ciri]. I know she is, too. I've met the Rats. They're brilliant and what they're going to bring to The Witcher, I can't wait for the fans to see.
We only got a taste of them at the end, but what do you think they're going to bring to the show?
I just think they're going to take it to new levels with the relationship they have with Ciri, and the journey that she goes on. It does feel like Ciri's story. We're constantly saying, "Where's Ciri?" She is very powerful, and she grows up a lot. You know, she goes into a different frequency.
How do you feel Yennefer will respond to the new Ciri?
I don't know. Knowing Ciri's strength, and how dangerous that is as well – and knowing that she's been there, truly – I think all she can do is make the world a better place for Ciri, and know that she might not be that person to pull her out of that.
Because, ultimately, you can only pull yourself out of that. I wonder how she's going to do that.
Yennefer's also obviously been on quite a journey herself. In what direction are you hoping to go in season 4?
I honestly don't know what's coming for Yennefer. We have created so much of Yennefer's story. We've had to. I mean, we didn't have to, but the show has decided to do that, and I'm very grateful for that.
I suppose I know the direction she's going in but I don't know. Her life without Tissaia is different. Her life for Ciri is different. That can only be a stronger Yennefer.
Season three had a lot of emotional touchstones. Were there any moments, good or bad, that really sat with you? Made you laugh, made you cry? That you really felt through season three?
Yeah. Losing Tissaia. Losing MyAnna. Watching it. That would be my biggest moment and the ball, that was an incredible experience to go through. I'll remember that for a long time, and how we managed to pull all those timelines off, I don't know.
What was it like filming that battle scene at Aretuza?
Do you know what? I just walked on to set every day, being like, "What has happened here?" Because I'd usually missed it all, because a lot of the mages were fighting, and I was off with Ciri.
But [I] would also just be in awe of how they built this set, and destroyed it. It must have been heartbreaking to destroy such beauty [laughs].
Your character is so deeply layered and complex. As your character grows and changes, are you finding new ways to tap into this new Yennefer?
Yeah. She's constantly surprising me. I really don't know what she's made of until she's presented with a challenge. I don't know where I'm going to go with the character until that happens.
I find everything a bloody challenge. Or, rather, I push myself to the limits so I knew it was going to be a challenge – just because I care.
You know, she goes through a lot, and people love her and I want to do this character justice.
All episodes of The Witcher seasons 1-3 are now streaming on Netflix. Spin-off The Witcher: Blood Origin is also streaming on Netflix.
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The Witcher 3 Game of the Year Edition (Xbox One)
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
