Netflix’s ‘The Witcher’ is based on various short stories and novellas by author Andrzej Sapkowski and isn’t set to adapt them in order. With many of the tales not having a set time frame or being able to be weaved into the main narrative, this shouldn’t take away from what readers have previously experienced with the books.
However, when it comes to which story needed to kick off the Netflix series, showrunner Lauren Hissrich shared with CinemaBlend that it was her favorite one that viewers will see:
“Oh my god, yes, so many! The series opens up on ‘The Lesser Evil,’ which was my personal favorite story. I didn’t choose to start the series with it because it was my favorite, but that just was lucky. When you’re choosing a story to sort of kick-off an entire series, for me, Geralt really rises to the top in Episode 1. He is our main character, he is the one that we really need to understand. He’s our introduction to the world of The Witcher. And he’s been a witcher for almost a hundred years by this point, and it’s all he knows, it’s all he does, and he’s very comfortable with that. So what you’re looking for when choosing which short story to go with, you’re looking for an event that’s going to change his journey. You’re looking for something that’s going to make him question everything that’s happened before in his life. And that’s why I chose ‘The Lesser Evil.'”
Honestly, the ability to tell a story about a monster hunter shouldn’t need to rely just on the first novella.
Are you looking forward to checking out Henry Cavill in ‘The Witcher’? Do you mind that a short story will be introducing us to Geralt instead of the first novella? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Based on the best-selling fantasy series of books, 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,” Netflix said. “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.
You can stream the first season of ‘The Witcher’ on December 20th, 2019!