The Witcher

Destiny calls Geralt and Ciri as Season 2 of the beastly Netflix drama gets much more intense

- EMILY ASLANIAN

DON’T LOOK AT Geralt of Rivia as a hero. The silver-haired professional monster slayer—played by Henry Cavill (right) in Netflix’s sprawling epic, based on bestselling fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski—is a reluctant savior at best, hired across the Continent to take down terrifying beasts. Abandoned as a child and raised in the mountainous Kaer Morhen, Geralt underwent experiments that mutated and hardened him into a Witcher. Despite the vital services they provide, Witchers are hated and feared, seen as anomalies with superspeed and mega-strength. (Damned if you do…)

But the “White Wolf” does his best to do good in a vast realm packed with magical creatures (faeries, elves, gnomes—you name it!), political intrigue, and constantly warring kingdoms. As his traveling pal Jaskier reminds him, “You never get involved, except actually, you do, all of the time.”

CIRI (Freya Allan) Princess Cirilla of Cintra is destiny-bound to Geralt due to a custom called the “Law of Surprise” after he saved her father before she was born. The once privileged, headstrong teen with mysterious powers is finding her way despite tragedy after tragedy.

CAHIR (Eamon Farren) The Nilfgaardian warrior and vicious murderer (aka the Black Knight) diligently hunts Ciri after the invasion of Cintra, believing their destinies are tied. He goes so far as to order a Doppler (who can magically take another’s form), hoping to trick the royal.

YENNEFER (Anya Chalotra) The powerful sorceress was initially a hunchbacked, abused girl. Sold by her stepfather, she honed her unparalleled magical skills at Aretuza, a training academy. After trading her ability to bear children for great beauty, Yennefer found true love with Geralt.