What’s going to be the next “Game of Thrones?” That’s the question on most TV executives’ minds. HBO struck gold when it began adapting George R.R. Martin’s acclaimed fantasy novels. The result is a series unlike anything seen before on television and a fanbase of rabid viewers. So, as is the Hollywood way, networks and streaming services are hopping aboard the fantasy train, trying to find the next ‘Thrones.’ Netflix feels like they have it with “The Witcher” and they just signed an A-lister to lead the cast.
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Netflix announced the “Justice League” and “Mission: Impossible — Fallout” star Henry Cavill has landed the lead role, as Geralt of Rivia, in the upcoming “The Witcher” series. For those not familiar with “The Witcher,” it’s yet another decidedly adult take on the fantasy genre that follows the aforementioned Geralt, who is as you might guess a “witcher,” as he teams with a powerful sorceress and a young princess to hunt monsters and travel across a land where people might be more wicked than the beasts.
“The Witcher” is based on a successful series of novels from author Andrzej Sapkowski. The series rose to prominence in recent years as the novels were adapted into a trilogy of hugely popular video games that are most-definitely for adults, as sex, violence, and rough language are commonplace. Considering the storyline of the novels and games, and Netflix’s endless bank account, “The Witcher” is aiming to be that ‘Thrones’-esque series that fans can flock to.
And attempting to seal the deal for ‘Thrones’ fans is the inclusion of director Alik Sakharov. The director is responsible for four episodes of “Game of Thrones,” as well as directing series like “Black Sails,” “House of Cards,” and “Marco Polo.” Sakharov will helm the first four of the eight ‘Witcher’ episodes. The remaining four will be split among Alex Garcia Lopez (“Luke Cage” and “Utopia”) and Charlotte Brändström (“Outlander” and “Counterpart”), who will get 2 episodes a piece.
The series is showrun by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, who is best known for her work on Netflix series “Daredevil” and “The Defenders,” as well as the upcoming “Umbrella Academy.”
There’s no release date yet, but with the amount of money and work that will surely put in the series, it appears like Netflix is going to take their time and make sure they do “The Witcher” right.
Here’s the synopsis for the series:
Based on the best-selling fantasy series, The Witcher is an epic tale of fate and family. Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. But when destiny hurtles him toward a powerful sorceress, and a young princess with a dangerous secret, the three must learn to navigate the increasingly volatile Continent together.