The Witcher Series Will Be Adapted on Netflix

By Akhil Arora | Updated: 17 May 2017 17:17 IST

Highlights

The Witcher is an eight-part book series
Sapkowski, the author, will serve as creative consultant
The Expanse execs will serve in the same role

Netflix has greenlit a new original drama series based on Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher books, which inspired the award-winning game series of the same name. The show will be in the English language, and will adapt from all eight short stories and novels penned by Sapkowski, which are collectively known as the Witcher Saga.

“I’m thrilled that Netflix will be doing an adaptation of my stories, staying true to the source material and the themes that I have spent over thirty years writing,” Sapkowski, who will serve as a creative consultant, said in a statement. “I’m excited about our efforts together, as well as the team assembled to shepherd these characters to life.”

“Andrzej Sapkowski has created a rich and memorable world, at once magical and familiar,” Netflix’s VP of international series, Erik Barmack, added. “We couldn’t be more excited about bringing Netflix members around the world.” Barmack had also tweeted the announcement, before deleting it later.

The adaptation has been put in the hands of Sean Daniel and Jason F. Brown as executive producers, both of whom have served in the same capacity for Syfy’s The Expanse. In addition, Oscar-nominee Tomek Bagiński, who has previously directed intro videos of all three Witcher titles, will direct at least one episode of the first season.

“The Witcher stories follow an unconventional family that comes together to fight for truth in a dangerous world,” said Sean Daniel and Jason F. Brown. “The characters are original, funny and constantly surprising and we can’t wait to bring them to life at Netflix, the perfect home for innovative storytelling.”

Platige Image, a Polish production and visual effects company, will co-produce the Netflix series. There’s no word on showrunners, casting, or release date just yet.

Of course, given the series’ popularity, this isn’t the first attempt to bring it to screen. In 2001 and 2002, Polish director Marek Brodzki directed a film and TV series, titled The Hexer. Sapkowski went on to criticise them, so it’s good the new adaptation has both his blessing, and involvement.

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