While the first season of Netflix’s The Witcher introduced the big players of the series, the second season of the show is set to bring in some exciting new additions. This past week, Netflix dropped a brand new trailer and some sneak pick clips of the upcoming season. This new footage not only alluding to the return of old characters but the addition of many more.
So far, Netflix has confirmed a lot of new characters for season two. These new additions include:
- Kristofer Hivju as Nivellen
- Yasen Atour as Coen
- Agnes Born as Vereena
- Paul Bullion as Lambert
- Aisha Fabienne Ross as Lydia van Bredevoort
- Mecia Simson as Francesca
- Basil Eidenbenz as Eskel
- Kevin Doyle as Ba’Lian
- Cassie Clare as Phillippa Eilhart
- Adjoa Andoh as Nenneke
- Liz Carr as Fenn
- Simon Callow as Codringher
- Graham McTavish as Dijkstra
- Chris Fulton as Rience
- Kim Bodnia as Vesemir
As is the way of The Witcher, many of the new characters will have you question if they’re a hero or a villain. Those who have read the books or played the games will be familiar with some of the above names. However, for those who have done neither, these names will be completely new. So without further ado, let’s discuss some of the biggest and most explosive additions that will be brought in for the second season of The Witcher.
Nivellen
Many fans of the series were very excited to hear that Nivellen will be making an appearance in the upcoming season. Even better, viewers have already been given a sneak peek at not only his look but also his dynamic with Geralt. Nivellen’s inclusion may come as a shock for those who know the role he plays in the books. Geralt encounters him long before he begins his journey with Ciri. Therefore, one can assume his role in the second season will play out slightly differently.
It could mean an expansion of his role as a consistent ally to Geralt throughout the season. However, given his character design and the sprinkled mentions of a bruxa on the prowl, there is a strong possibility we will still get the beauty and the beast type narrative that many fans fell in love with originally.
Philippa Eilhart
Those who have only played the games, particularly the third game, maybe expecting to see a very different Philippa to the one we will get. That is, assuming the show continues its trend of drawing more from the books than the games. In the games. Not quite a villain but never really an ally either, Philippa is such a complex character. She is tactical and cunning, often scheming to further her own position of power as well as the power of the Lodge of Sorceresses.
She constantly butts heads with Geralt and Yennefer throughout the books. However, she also respects the relationship Geralt has with Ciri. Additionally, she is canonically bisexual in the book series. And while the books do discuss her romance with fellow season two newcomer Dijkstra, the books often imply she has more of a preference for women. Therefore, Phillippa’s addition to season two could promise more diversity in terms of the types of romances we will see play out on screen.
And of course, she also happens to be an extremely powerful sorceress.
Sigismund Dijkstra
Similar to Philippa, Sigismund Dijkstra is someone who is always wanting power. He is willing to cause whatever chaos is necessary in order to get what he wants. A spy and a good one at that, Dijkstra is often caught up in many political situations. He’s very much so seen as an antagonist in the books and the games. One that Geralt finds himself butting heads with on more than one occasion.
The inclusion of his character will be a great way for The Witcher universe to delve deeper into the political narrative. Of course, Geralt and his fellow witchers hunt monsters and are essentially killing machines, that aspect of the Witcher universe fans knows to look forward to thanks to Geralt’s return to Kaer Morhen. However, one of the other fantastic components of The Witcher is how it examines morality, blurring the lines between good and bad and exploring the idea of the lesser evil. Dijkstra is a great way to evolve this exploration and delve into this deeper. And of course, his interactions with Geralt when and if they ever meet this season will no doubt be entertaining.
Geralt and Dijkstra are sure to have some heated interactions when they meet
Mother Nenneke
Many of the characters in the universe are fighters, whether that be Geralt and the other witchers, or Yennefer and her fellow sorceresses. However, Mother Nenneke is a figure that balances out these harsher and more combative characters. Nenneke is a priestess at that temple of Melitele. She is kind yet stern mother like figure to the other priestesses.
Geralt encounters her early on in his life and without spoiling too much, Nenneke knows a lot about Geralt and his own life. Therefore, their relationship and interactions will be a nice change of pace and a potential opportunity to see the softer side of Geralt. Nenneke has a role to play in not only Geralt’s life but Yennefer and Ciri’s lives too. While only time will tell if the narrative on the show will follow the role she plays in the books, her inclusion will be a great chance to see Geralt in a different light.
Vesemir
Vesemir’s inclusion in the second season is highly anticipated by fans. And thanks to the recent trailer, we’ve finally been able to get a really good look at Kim Bodnia’s portrayal of the wise witcher.
Vesemir’s design revealed to be very similar to that of the game’s depiction of him
Vesemir is very much so a mentor figure to Geralt. He guides him when needed and can be a voice of reason and understanding when the complexities of Geralt’s destiny cloud his judgement. Geralt’s return to Kaer Morhen with Ciri in tow will add an even greater dynamic to their relationship. For those unfamiliar with the books or games, Netflix’s recent animated film The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf explored Vesemir’s backstory. More than that though, it examined the trials and tribulations that witchers go through.
Based on the creation of a stand-alone animated film for the character, one can only assume Vesemir will have a larger role to play this season and moving forward in the show. Given what we’ve already seen from the character and Bodnia’s take on the role, fans can hopefully expect Vesemir’s addition to live up to the hype.
Even more characters to come
What makes The Witcher such an immersive fantasy universe is the variety of complex characters it’s built around. With season three of The Witcher already confirmed, the possibilities for even more character’s to be introduced widens considerably. However, looking ahead to the upcoming season two, these are some of the characters that could play a large role in the season and the future of the show. Which new characters are you most excited to see? Are there any not on this list that you think should be? Let us know in the comments below!
Season two of The Witcher is set to release on Netflix on December 17th.
