Toss a coin to your Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher premiered on Netflix in December 2019 as a prequel to the author's main timeline. Broadly praised for intense action, shimmering production values and spot-on casting, The Witcher found a brand new audience through its newest medium, and audiences eagerly anticipated a continuation in The Witcher season 2.
Whereas season 1 danced across multiple eras (a fact hilariously referenced by a dock hand in season 2, episode 4), The Witcher now follows a more linear course, firmly set in the TV show's present. Picking up from the Battle of Sodden, Nilfgaard's dark forces continue to gather against the Northern kingdoms, while Geralt of Rivia becomes protector of Cintra's Princess Ciri, whose home was destroyed by the Nilfgaardian army. Though the good guys prevailed at Sodden, ominous omens continue to reveal themselves, hinting at dark days to come for the characters of The Witcher.
Many of season 1's main figures return (the ones still alive, at least), but The Witcher season 2 also introduces an exciting batch of newcomers, from ethereal elves to weathered Witchers. Here's a full guide to all the folks you'll meet while binging The Witcher season 2 on Netflix.
The Witcher Season 2 Main Cast & Characters
Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia - The lead protagonist and title character of The Witcher, Henry Cavill is ideally cast as Geralt of Rivia. Taken by Witchers during childhood, Geralt's body was mutated and harshly trained at Kaer Morhen, turning him into a powerful warrior capable of tackling the continent's toughest beasts. In addition to his skill with a blade, Geralt can use basic magic (signs) and possesses enhanced regenerative capabilities. He also gulps elixirs in battle to call upon his unique Witcher biology. Like most Witchers, Geralt worked as a mercenary throughout season 1, but The Witcher season 2 finds him protecting a young Princess Ciri, sworn into his custody by the Law of Surprise.
Henry Cavill is a star of the silver screen, known for playing the DCEU's Superman, as well as for roles in Mission: Impossible - Fallout.
Freya Allan as Princess Cirilla (Ciri) - Born to Princess Pavetta of Cintra and her cursed lover, Ciri was raised by her grandmother, Queen Calanthe, becoming a precocious and daring youngster unwilling to follow the traditional expectations of her position. She alone survived Nilfgaard's invasion in The Witcher season 1, before falling into the care of Geralt, whose services were promised to her father before Ciri was born. Like her mother, Ciri possesses mysterious magical powers that she doesn't fully understand, but these abilities have made her a target for every major force in the continent. Freya Allan recently featured alongside Karen Gillan in Gunpowder Milkshake.
Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg - Suffering an unpleasant childhood due to her physical appearance, young Yennefer possessed an affinity for magic and began training at Aretuza to harness those latent abilities. Yennefer's rebellious nature has caused friction among the other mages, but she fought valiantly alongside them at the Battle of Sodden, repelling Nilfgaard's invasion. Her whereabouts following The Witcher season 1's finale are unknown. Yennefer and Geralt share an on-off romantic relationship whenever their paths happen to converge. Yennefer marks Anya Chalotra's breakout television role.
Kim Bodnia as Vesemir - The most note-worthy new face in The Witcher season 2, Kim Bodnia plays Vesemir, leader of the Witchers and head of Kaer Morhen. A father figure to Geralt, Vesemir trained the Witchers as boys and now hosts them every winter to rest and recuperate after monster-slaying season is over for the year. Vesemir offers his home as shelter to Ciri in The Witcher season 2, and a younger, animated version of the character can be glimpsed in Netflix's prequel series, The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. Kim Bodnia is famous for his portrayal of Konstantin in Killing Eve.
Eamon Farren as Cahir (The Black Knight) - The main antagonist of The Witcher season 1 returns for season 2. The infamous Winchester.
Joey Batey as Jaskier - The unintentional star of The Witcher season 1, Jaskier the bard did more than provide comic relief and revels during Geralt's Netflix debut. As "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher" climbed the charts and inspired numerous online cover versions, Joey Batey's Jaskier became The Witcher's lovable secondary protagonist. Geralt and Jaskier endured a tough breakup, however, as the bitter warrior gave his bard the boot in unreasonably cruel fashion. Jaskier returns in The Witcher season 2... but can Geralt make amends? Joey Batey plays in folk band, The Amazing Devil.
Mimî M. Khayisa as Fringilla - Another of the sorceresses trained at Aretuza and sent out to serve among the kingdoms, Fringilla took a darker path compared to her spellbinding sisters. Assigned to Nilfgaard, Fringilla has aligned herself to the White Flame and aids the invasion of the North. Despite appearing a loyal servant to Nilfgaard, there's a question mark over whether Fringilla's influence upon the White Flame runs deeper. Escaping the Battle of Sodden, Fringilla is once again played by Mimî M. Khayisa, who had a minor role in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Anna Shaffer as Triss - One of Yennefer's allies among The Witcher's more trustworthy sorceresses, Triss befriended Harry Potter movies.
MyAnna Buring as Tissaia - The matriarch of The Witcher's witches and the head of Aretuza, Tissaia harbors a soft spot for Yennefer, and served the Northern kingdoms bravely during the Battle of Sodden. Though her intentions are often well-meaning, Tissaia's methods - and her unerring faith in Yennefer - have often been called into question by the Brotherhood of Mages. MyAnna Buring will be familiar as Tanya from the video game.
Mecia Simson as sca - Elves appeared fleetingly during The Witcher season 1, but are afforded a larger role in season 2 as fate weaves them deeper into the dealings between Nilfgaard and the North. Mecia Simson's sca leads the main elf tribe in The Witcher season 2. Though relatively inexperienced, sca was chosen after experiencing supposedly-divine visions, which her followers believe will lead the elf race toward salvation. Mecia Simson won Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model in 2009.
Tom Canton as Filavandrel - The other major elf presence in The Witcher season 2 comes courtesy of Tom Canton's Filavandrel. Canton briefly featured in Henry Cavill's 2019 debut season, but is promoted to the main cast as his elves become integral to season 2's narrative. Filavandrel was deposed as leader by sca, and though he serves her earnestly, Canton's character can't help but disagree with her interpretation of these strange visions. The actor also voiced Filavandrel in The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.
The Witcher Season 2 ing Cast & Characters
Lars Mikkelsen as Stregobor - A secondary antagonist in The Witcher seasons 1 & 2, Stregobor is the corrupt leader of the Brotherhood's ruling council and treats Tissaia and her followers (Yennefer especially) with contempt, hoping to maintain his own position of power. Lars Mikkelsen will be known to fans of The Killing.
Mahesh Jadu as Vilgefortz - A mage who fought the Black Knight at Sodden and remains allied to the Northern kingdoms alongside Tissaia and Yennefer. Mahesh Jadu held a regular role as Doug in Neighbors.
Royce Pierreson as Istredd - One of Yennefer's first friends and another formidable sorcerer, Istredd studies monoliths at Aretuza under Stregobor, whom he betrayed Yennefer's trust for in Line of Duty.
Terence Maynard as Artorius Vigo - Vigo remains loyal to Stregobor, splitting the council of mages by siding against Vilgefortz and Tissaia over how to deal with the encroaching Nilfgaard. Vigo is the uncle of Fringilla, which perhaps influenced his decision to neglect Cintra when the White Flame's army attacked. Terence Maynard has appeared in almost every long-running British TV series you'd care to name.
Kevin Doyle as Ba'lian - Another of the elven characters in The Witcher season 2, Ba'lian is caught up in the chaos of Nilfgaard's conquest. Kevin Doyle had an ongoing period part as Joseph Molesley in Downton Abbey.
Paul Bullion as Lambert - Geralt returns to Kaer Morhen in The Witcher season 2, reuniting with his fellow mutant warriors raised by Vesemir. Among them is Lambert, a roughly-spoken but kindhearted friend to Geralt who takes an interest in Ciri's training. Bullion also portrays Billy in Peaky Blinders.
Yasen Atour as Coën - Aside from Lambert, Coën serves as another prominent Witcher among Geralt's brothers at Young Wallander.
Basil Eidenbernz as Eskel - A further addition to the significant Kaer Morhen characters in The Witcher season 2, Eskel was once close to Geralt, but now antagonizes his older brother. The Witcher marks Basil Eidenbernz's biggest role in a major TV production.
Shaun Dooley as King Foltest - A recurring presence throughout The Witcher season 1, King Foltest is one of several spoiled and complacent Northern Kings currently under threat from Nilfgaard. A familiar face to many, Shaun Dooley's journeyman acting career has made stops at Broadchurch, among many others.
Ed Birch as King Vizimir - The King of Redania, Vizimir is typically useless as the leader of a Northern kingdom, relying heavily on his many advisors. Ed Birch can be found making small credits in Cruella and Gunpowder Milkshake.
Graham McTavish as Dijkstra - King Vizimir's chief advisor and Redania's security chief, Dijkstra seeks to protect his realm from Nilfgaard's coming invasion by any means possible. Graham McTavish is recognizable as Preacher's Saint of Killers.
Cassie Clare as Eilhart - An ally to Dijkstra and another loyal advisor to King Vizimir. When she's not loitering around as an owl, Eilhart is played by Cassie Clare, making her breakthrough following several smaller roles in TV and film.
Kristofer Hivju as Nivellen - Appearing in The Witcher season 2's premiere and glimpsed already in promo footage, Nivellen is a nobleman and old friend of Geralt's, who offers Henry Cavill shelter during his journey with Ciri. Nivellen was cursed and now takes the appearance of a beast. Game of Thrones.
Agnes Born as Vereena - Nivellen's "cat" and his companion in solitude, Vereena becomes intrigued by Geralt and Ciri upon their arrival in The Witcher season 2's premiere. Her species is revealed as a Bruxa - a winged, sharp-toothed sort with a voracious appetite.
Simon Callow as Codringher - Legendary actor Simon Callow has enjoyed a long career in TV and film, but will be known to many for Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, and an award-winning appearance in Shakespeare In Love. Callow s The Witcher season 2 as Codringher - an ally of Geralt's.
Liz Carr as Fenn - Codringher's partner Fenn also debuts in The Witcher season 2, played by Liz Carr, who's best known for Silent Witness and her comedy work.
Adjoa Andoh as Mother Nenneke - A frequent face on British TV, Adjoa Andoh has appeared in Doctor Who, Bridgerton, Casualty and Eastenders. Cast as The Witcher season 2's Mother Nenneke, Andoh is a High Priestess who aids Geralt in his latest journey.
Wilson Radjou-Pujalte as Dara - Returning from his recurring role in The Witcher season 1, Dara was an elf who befriended Ciri before she came under the protection of Geralt.
Chris Fulton as Rience - Serving Vilgefortz, Rience is a sorcerer hunting for Succession and Bridgerton.