Part 1/14:
The Demise of Netflix's The Witcher: A Cautionary Tale of Derailed Adaptation
A Promising Start Dawns into Disaster
When The Witcher first premiered on Netflix in 2019, it was heralded as a potential successor to Game of Thrones's epic fantasy throne. Despite initial skepticism—especially regarding its diverse casting choices and deviations from the source material—the show was generally well-received by audiences. Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Geralt of Rivia was praised, fueling hopes that Netflix had a hit on its hands. However, the success was largely built on Cavill’s star power and a season one that, despite its flaws, captured the imagination of viewers eager for a new fantasy saga.