Casting scripts for Netflix's The Witcher series have leaked

News by Shabana Arif Contributor

Published on Aug. 20, 2018

Casting scripts for the upcoming Netflix Witcher series have leaked.

Two scripts for Netflix's The Witcher series have leaked, and after they were posted on reddit, showrunner Lauren Hissrich confirmed their authenticity, but assured fans that they won't appear in the actual series, and are purely for the purposes of allowing actors room for "specific emotional reactions" in auditions.

The first script is a back and forth between Geralt and Yennefer as they prepare to head to a ball, and the second is an exchange between Yennefer and a king who has overstepped the bounds of propriety and is about to get his comeuppance.

Even though they're not indicative of the final script, or what we'll see when the show finally airs, the dialogue seems fairly in keeping with the game and characters, and echoes the series' humour.

Remember when I said that casting sides would leak and not to worry because they are not real scenes or scenarios or even storylines from the show?

It happened. As we knew it would. Don’t worry. All is okay in the #Witcher world.

— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) August 15, 2018

As you'd expect, fans have been quick to jump on the finer details, with one criticism being levied at the way Geralt described the pair's relationship as being based on a curse.

Hissrich responded on Twitter, saying, "We write scenes to evoke specific emotional reactions in actors. Ego, jealousy, confidence, pain, pleasure. We need to see the full spectrum. We lean AWAY from actual scenarios, so as not to spoil. Trust me."

She added that fans are "allowed to worry," and are "free to feel anything," but that as one of the screenwriters, she's merely trying to "reassure" fans. "It’s up to you to believe me or not," she said.

Both Twitter and the reddit thread are full of fans' opinions on how true to the series the casting script is, and Hissirch has said that it's been "fascinating to watch the PASSIONATE debate about Geralt's and Yen's thoughts/emotions/intentions on the casting sides.

"Everything from 'this reads like canon' to 'Geralt would NEVER say that word.' I only hope Witcher fans are as invested in the, you know, actual series."

The Witcher series was announced last year, and will feature eight episodes with the pilot set to air some time in 2020.

Hissrich has teased the characters who will possibly be included in the show, and a number of actors have expressed their interest in getting involved, including Mark Hamill and Henry Cavill.

Thanks, IGN.