ThoughThe Witcherjust released its third season, fans are already curious to see the next. Granted, part of this is due to protagonist Geralt being (misguidedly) recast, but it also comes down to how he and the other heroes were impacted and separated. They must all go their own way into uncharted territory. Of course, with that territory comes new characters.
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Season 4 brings a whole host of fresh faces to theWitcheruniverse. Seeing as the next book—A Baptism of Fire—mainly covers Geralt’s journey, the writers will likely incorporate material from the following entries so that Yennefer and Ciri remain part of the show. As such, virtually any character from those novels is fair game. The only thing more exciting than that is speculating who will play them.
6Zoltan - Martin Klebba
An on/off member of Geralt’s ragtag fellowship, this charismatic Dwarf aids the witcher on numerous occasions. He sees both the humor and gravity in every plight, making him a reliable ally. However, he also makes no secret of what he’s done to succeed,namely an unscrupulous past of crime. That said, he doesn’t see the point in self-pity; he did what was necessary to survive. There’s a certain honesty in that.
Game fans have their own ideas of how Zoltan looks and sounds, but a solid candidate would be Martin Klebba. This character actor has played several shifty characters in his career. Most famous is Marty from thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise. He may not have many lines, but he delivers each with conviction. In addition, he can carry a moment using only his presence and body language. That subtle strength and hint of danger is exactly what Zoltan needs.
5Regis - Peter Franzen
Here’s the most unexpected member of Geralt’s troupe. Regis isa vampire who is fighting an addiction. He’s a peaceful, learned man with an art for charm. Like Zoltan, though, he harbors a dark past of bloodshed, some of which emerges at pivotal moments. Because of that, his is a journey about redemption. Readers can’t help but like him, even though they’re not sure whether to trust him.
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Vikingsfans know that all too well with Peter Franzen. He plays Harald Finehair, who’s always scheming to become the King of Norway. Most of his methods involve backstabbing, acknowledging his own weaknesses in the process. In the end, it’s hard to hate him. Much of that comes down to Franzen’s performance, which carries a self-deprecating charm and earnestness. Viewers feel for his plight and pity how pathetic he is at points. At the same time, they can laugh at it along with him. Such is the appeal that Regis should have.
4Angouleme - Eleanor Worthington-Cox
Thefinal member of Geralt’s group, Angouleme is an illegitimate child who is initially mistaken for Ciri. She follows the witcher after he saves her life, and she soon proves to be a handful. She loves to tease in order to get a rise out of people, having no filter for her blunt comments and childish insults. That said, she’s fiercely loyal to Geralt and desperate to please him. Through those efforts, she comes to see her compatriots as a surrogate family, constantly straddling the line between cute and annoying.
One actress who could walk that line with grace is Eleanor Worthington-Cox. She’s embodied emotionally distraught characters on stage and screen, but her most prominent is Cait inBritannia. She’s a similarly displaced kid amidst a fantastical war, and she channels the same plucky energy and emotional rawness. At the same time, she gets in the odd cynical retort to the show’s screwball antics, being both natural and funny in her delivery. That tonal talent could make her a bright light in theWitcherworld.
3Leo Bonhart - Richard Brake
On the flip side, Leo Bonhart is a source of darkness. A killer-for-hire tasked with tracking down Ciri’s newfound gang, he loves the thrill of the fight and sees the potential for a real challenge in the young heroine. His sadism often goes hand-in-hand with his eye for profit. He knows how to work both angles, making him far more intimidating than the average thug. Season 3 mentions thisbounty hunter, so it’s only a matter of time before the show puts a face to the name.
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A brilliantly vile face would be Richard Brake. He’s played legions of villains in various projects—fromGame of ThronestoBarbarians Rising. Not only is he physically imposing despite his lanky frame, but he leaves viewers utterly repulsed. His steady monotone and uniquely sneering menace are akin to a living corpse, one which has no qualms about taking human life. Audiences don’t even want to share a room with him. The books convey that very sensation whenever Bonhart is there.
2Vysogota - Derek Jacobi
By contrast, readers feel immense comfort when Vysogota’s around. The old physician finds a wounded Ciri and nurses her back to health, bearing witness to her recounting her hardships. He soothes her pain, but he also calls her out onher own misdeeds and misguided beliefs. It’s a valuable perspective from someone who’s had a fair bit of misfortune himself while humble enough to acknowledge his own limitations.
Derek Jacobi has a similarly storied experience in the acting realm. A long career on the stage and screen has given him a wide range of characters under his belt, but his work inCadfaelmakes him perfect for this role. As the titular soldier turned monk/herbalist, he frequently deals with others' problems. Viewers see genuine empathy with hints of curiosity and discernment. Jacobi conveys that complexity with measured nuance in both face and voice. Each resulting scene has a Shakespearean gravitas. Such weight is essential to Vysogota.
1Shani - Eileen O’Higgins
This spunky heroine remains endearing despite her brief screen time, be it in the booksor games. Shani starts as a naive, sassy student at Oxenfurt, but that doesn’t last. She’s forced to grow up fast as she becomes a nurse in the Nilfgaardian War. The gruesome sights affect her as profoundly as anyone, but they also cement her sense of purpose.
Eileen O’Higgins has proven adept at portraying that purpose. She’s especially engaging inDead Still, showing a spontaneous spark while peppering in the occasional dry humor for good measure. She plays the character as proficient and knowledgeable without being too in-your-face, which is no easy feat.
Equally difficult is her work in Michael Hirst’sBilly the Kid. As the eponymous outlaw’s mother, her character evolves through hardship. Her heartbreak is palpable as she’s forced to make terrible compromises to survive, but she internalizes that pain for her children’s sake. It makes for an exceptionally layered performance that carries a resonant pathos. After making such a tragic transformation feel organic, Shani’s journey should be a walk in the park.
