The Witcher S3 Finale Explained & What to Expect in S4

On July 27, the final episodes of the season 3 of The Witcher were released. This is the farewell chapter for Henry Cavill: he will not return to the role of Geralt in season 4. The finale featured the Thanedd Coup – a major battle that will have far-reaching consequences for the entire Continent.

The coup was largely due to the traitor Vilgefortz. He always acted for his own purposes, so he found it more profitable to be on Emhyr's side. The sorcerer left Thanedd, but not before defeating Geralt in battle.

Vilgefortz let the witcher live because he doesn’t consider him a threat, and also sees similarities between them two – so he will gladly fight Geralt again.

During the Thanedd Coup, Aretuza's headmistress, Tissaia, used a powerful spell to defeat the remaining enemies after a long battle and nearly died from the powerful energy – her hair even turned ash white.

Aretuza suffered greatly and many sorcerers died. Tissaia blamed herself for what had happened, believing that her years of work in Aretuza had made her softer and weaker. As a result, Tissaia committed suicide – in a letter to Yennefer, she passed on the responsibility for the future of magic to her and other young sorcerers.

In season 4, Yennefer and the other surviving sorceresses will work to rebuild Aretuza. They will form a Lodge of Sorceresses, which probably will be headed by Yen or Philippa Eilhart, like in the books. Yen does not like politics, but at first she can influence important decisions of the Lodge and then reunite with Geralt and Ciri.

Also in the season finale, Emhyr finally met Ciri. In reality, however, it was the False Ciri – the half-elf girl that Vilgefortz had been experimenting on. Emhyr did not see the adult Ciri, so he thought the False Ciri was his daughter.

Vilgefortz will use her to manipulate Emhyr, who, however, will soon notice the substitution, and then Vilgefortz's line of enemies will grow even longer.

Netflix has already renewed The Witcher for season 4, shooting will start in 2024, so the premiere should be expected in 2025. Geralt will be played by Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth starting in season 4.

Season 3 of The Witcher is based on the fourth book The Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski. Season 4 is expected to be an adaptation of the fifth book called Baptism of Fire.