1
00:00:07,354 --> 00:00:11,896
[tense music playing]
2
00:00:11,979 --> 00:00:18,146
-[hooves galloping]
-[eerie voice growling]
3
00:00:18,229 --> 00:00:22,062
[indistinct yelling]
4
00:00:22,146 --> 00:00:25,479
[dramatic music playing]
5
00:00:31,396 --> 00:00:34,146
[yelling continues]
6
00:00:35,729 --> 00:00:36,729
[man grunts]
7
00:00:40,812 --> 00:00:44,437
[music crescendos]
8
00:00:44,521 --> 00:00:45,937
[music fades out]
9
00:00:46,021 --> 00:00:48,021
[Cavill]
My initial interest in The Witcher
10
00:00:48,104 --> 00:00:51,062
came from a chance experience
with The Witcher games.
11
00:00:51,646 --> 00:00:54,354
Then I heard that Netflix
were making a show
12
00:00:54,437 --> 00:00:59,021
and so, I-- I hunted down
the opportunity to play Geralt
13
00:00:59,104 --> 00:01:02,396
and when I'd spoken to--
had my first meeting with Lauren...
14
00:01:03,437 --> 00:01:05,896
she had mentioned
that it was based on the books.
15
00:01:06,187 --> 00:01:07,937
The books, I absolutely loved,
16
00:01:08,021 --> 00:01:11,646
and they are an extraordinary source
of a wonderful story.
17
00:01:12,437 --> 00:01:15,187
[Hissrich] So, Andrzej Sapkowski
wrote this series of books.
18
00:01:15,271 --> 00:01:16,979
Talking to him about it is fascinating.
19
00:01:17,062 --> 00:01:19,854
He traveled all over the world
as a traveling salesman,
20
00:01:20,146 --> 00:01:23,396
and he started to write
the original short story of The Witcher
21
00:01:23,479 --> 00:01:25,979
and submitted it to a magazine
and it got published,
22
00:01:26,062 --> 00:01:28,062
but he had never intended for--
23
00:01:28,146 --> 00:01:30,312
for it to take hold the way
that it took hold.
24
00:01:30,396 --> 00:01:32,521
-[loud crash]
-[shrieking]
25
00:01:32,896 --> 00:01:35,354
[Cavill] There's something unique
about the way...
26
00:01:35,979 --> 00:01:40,146
Andrzej Sapkowski wrote...
wrote The Witcher.
27
00:01:40,229 --> 00:01:44,354
It's a-- a harsh yet relatable world
with some extraordinary characters in it.
28
00:01:44,437 --> 00:01:46,854
-The south needed reminding who was Queen.
-[cheers]
29
00:01:46,937 --> 00:01:50,062
[Hissrich] What excited me the most
when I went to pitch Netflix...
30
00:01:50,146 --> 00:01:51,271
What did you wish for?
31
00:01:51,354 --> 00:01:53,229
[Hissrich]
...was planting all of the seeds
32
00:01:53,312 --> 00:01:55,562
of Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer
coming together.
33
00:01:56,479 --> 00:01:58,646
[whispers] Find Geralt of Rivia.
34
00:01:59,104 --> 00:02:01,812
[Hissrich] It took me a while.
I went through several versions.
35
00:02:01,896 --> 00:02:05,437
And then I-- I literally had one of those
"Aha!" moments in the shower.
36
00:02:05,521 --> 00:02:08,104
"Can I tell all three of these stories
at the same time
37
00:02:08,187 --> 00:02:10,604
and not have it be too confusing?"
38
00:02:11,104 --> 00:02:13,354
It's been interesting
because I do think that
39
00:02:13,437 --> 00:02:15,604
television audiences are really savvy now.
40
00:02:15,687 --> 00:02:19,146
And as a writer, as a creator,
we have that on our side.
41
00:02:19,229 --> 00:02:21,521
So, we do jump through time a lot,
42
00:02:21,604 --> 00:02:25,396
but I think it's an exciting journey
for fans and for, you know,
43
00:02:25,479 --> 00:02:28,021
even audiences that have never seen
The Witcher before.
44
00:02:28,479 --> 00:02:29,312
[Duny grunts]
45
00:02:29,396 --> 00:02:30,812
-[Geralt grunts]
-[knight yelps]
46
00:02:31,187 --> 00:02:33,979
So, what's really interesting
is digging into these stories,
47
00:02:34,062 --> 00:02:37,146
and one of the first things that I did
when I sold The Witcher
48
00:02:37,229 --> 00:02:41,479
is I booked a plane ticket to Poland
because I was really interested
49
00:02:41,562 --> 00:02:44,646
why this book series
was so important to this nation
50
00:02:45,021 --> 00:02:47,562
and how it reflected the spirits
of the people
51
00:02:47,646 --> 00:02:51,146
and that was important to me
for developing the series as a whole.
52
00:02:57,771 --> 00:03:01,021
[Bagiński]
Witcher is a big part of myself, I think.
53
00:03:01,271 --> 00:03:03,229
Witcher became part of my...
54
00:03:03,854 --> 00:03:07,229
brain and body and mind a long time ago.
55
00:03:07,312 --> 00:03:10,729
But for the rest of the world,
Witcher is a great story,
56
00:03:10,812 --> 00:03:13,812
it's a great character,
it's a great world.
57
00:03:14,271 --> 00:03:16,021
For kingdom and glory.
58
00:03:16,104 --> 00:03:18,771
Tomek Bagiński,
who's one of our Polish producers,
59
00:03:19,062 --> 00:03:22,646
he's very well-versed on the books
and the lore of The Witcher
60
00:03:22,729 --> 00:03:26,229
and there are certain things that are
not necessarily described in the scripts.
61
00:03:26,646 --> 00:03:30,437
We would run those things
by Tomek and his team
62
00:03:30,521 --> 00:03:33,021
to make sure we were staying
true to the source material.
63
00:03:33,104 --> 00:03:35,812
[Bagiński] It's a big part
of the pop culture history of Poland,
64
00:03:35,896 --> 00:03:38,062
which is also, I think, quite important.
65
00:03:38,562 --> 00:03:39,646
And...
66
00:03:39,729 --> 00:03:43,521
it's a game, it's a book, it's a TV show,
67
00:03:43,604 --> 00:03:45,271
it's plenty of things.
68
00:03:45,354 --> 00:03:50,104
It's very, very hard to just box Witcher
into a very simple explanation.
69
00:03:51,437 --> 00:03:53,937
And I hope that we can present this world
70
00:03:54,021 --> 00:03:56,479
to... a much, much wider audience.
71
00:03:57,771 --> 00:03:59,562
I like to say that, for the series,
72
00:03:59,646 --> 00:04:01,812
we actually get to find the story
73
00:04:01,896 --> 00:04:04,104
that's happening between the lines
in the books.
74
00:04:04,187 --> 00:04:06,812
We're trying to be a really
true representation of the books
75
00:04:06,896 --> 00:04:08,854
and trying to honor that material,
76
00:04:08,937 --> 00:04:10,979
but the books also skip over
a lot of things.
77
00:04:11,521 --> 00:04:12,812
That's my lute. Give that back!
78
00:04:12,896 --> 00:04:15,646
[Bagiński] There were a lot of new ideas
coming from the writers' room,
79
00:04:15,729 --> 00:04:17,562
which, eh, some of their--
80
00:04:17,646 --> 00:04:21,854
some of those ideas were very risky,
but all of them were brilliant.
81
00:04:21,937 --> 00:04:23,896
In the writers' room for The Witcher,
82
00:04:24,562 --> 00:04:28,812
we get together
and we bat around ideas for a while
83
00:04:28,896 --> 00:04:33,062
until we have a clearer picture
of what we're doing for this season,
84
00:04:33,146 --> 00:04:36,896
and once we do that,
we go into individual episodes
85
00:04:36,979 --> 00:04:39,062
and draw from the books.
86
00:04:39,146 --> 00:04:43,146
Like, "What from the books
do we want to bring into this season?"
87
00:04:43,854 --> 00:04:44,854
Once we decide that,
88
00:04:45,354 --> 00:04:48,729
Lauren sends us off
and we write our individual scripts
89
00:04:49,187 --> 00:04:52,271
and we have certain story lines
90
00:04:52,354 --> 00:04:54,854
that carry through
from one episode to another
91
00:04:54,937 --> 00:04:56,812
that we keep batting back and forth
92
00:04:56,896 --> 00:05:00,229
to make sure that we're always giving
new information to the audience.
93
00:05:01,187 --> 00:05:04,271
When you get assigned a script, it, uh--
94
00:05:04,354 --> 00:05:08,312
It's very exciting because,
"Oh, I'm dealing with this story, great!"
95
00:05:08,396 --> 00:05:10,479
When I got Law of Surprise,
people were like,
96
00:05:10,562 --> 00:05:12,521
[sharp inhale]
"Glad I didn't get that one!"
97
00:05:12,604 --> 00:05:14,854
because it is tough to explain.
98
00:05:14,937 --> 00:05:16,687
Asking for payment
with the Law of Surprise
99
00:05:16,771 --> 00:05:18,646
is as old as mankind itself.
100
00:05:18,729 --> 00:05:21,104
-Don't lecture me, Eist.
-[Eist] It's an honest gamble...
101
00:05:21,646 --> 00:05:24,854
as likely to be rewarded
with a... bumper crop,
102
00:05:24,937 --> 00:05:27,854
as a newborn pup or...
103
00:05:29,104 --> 00:05:30,187
a child of surprise.
104
00:05:30,937 --> 00:05:35,104
Trying to get that out,
[chuckles] in a script and in a way
105
00:05:35,187 --> 00:05:38,604
where the actor doesn't look at you
and just slap you, it was difficult.
106
00:05:38,687 --> 00:05:40,187
But that's essentially what it is,
107
00:05:40,271 --> 00:05:43,979
the Law of Surprise, in a nutshell,
is claiming something...
108
00:05:45,312 --> 00:05:48,604
from the person, em... that is a surprise.
109
00:05:48,687 --> 00:05:51,604
When they return to that house,
whatever the first thing they encounter
110
00:05:51,687 --> 00:05:55,062
that they didn't know they had
before they left... that's it.
111
00:05:55,854 --> 00:05:56,687
Fuck.
112
00:05:56,771 --> 00:05:57,604
Yeah, it's just--
113
00:05:57,687 --> 00:06:00,854
it's a lot of different ideas
with a lot of different perspectives,
114
00:06:00,937 --> 00:06:02,771
which is important, I think,
for The Witcher
115
00:06:02,854 --> 00:06:07,729
because it is ultimately...
kind of about all these different groups,
116
00:06:07,812 --> 00:06:12,229
whether it be elves, gnomes, dwarves,
and their perspectives on the world.
117
00:06:12,312 --> 00:06:16,812
So to have the room also, kind of,
represent that type of diversity
118
00:06:16,896 --> 00:06:19,187
is-- is very useful for the storytelling.
119
00:06:19,562 --> 00:06:20,979
[anguished scream]
120
00:06:21,062 --> 00:06:25,604
What's great about this
and what we've done with the story is
121
00:06:26,271 --> 00:06:32,187
we've focused on the humanity
and all those human struggles.
122
00:06:32,604 --> 00:06:36,687
[Hissrich] One thing that most
interested me is the women in the books.
123
00:06:36,771 --> 00:06:40,854
They're very, very strong women,
um, that are surrounding Geralt,
124
00:06:40,937 --> 00:06:41,854
the protagonist.
125
00:06:42,604 --> 00:06:43,562
And I asked Andrzej,
126
00:06:43,646 --> 00:06:45,729
I said, "You know,
for books written during the 80s,
127
00:06:45,812 --> 00:06:48,062
I'm really surprised
the women are so strong."
128
00:06:48,146 --> 00:06:51,562
And he said to me, "You know,
you've never met my mother, have you?"
129
00:06:52,437 --> 00:06:56,312
His point was that for a nation
that was so war-torn,
130
00:06:56,396 --> 00:06:58,229
um, had so much conflict,
131
00:06:58,312 --> 00:07:01,979
they-- they lost a lot of their men,
um, in those conflicts,
132
00:07:02,062 --> 00:07:06,062
and women became quite the centers
of communities
133
00:07:06,146 --> 00:07:09,104
and even the workplace, not just homes.
134
00:07:10,562 --> 00:07:13,312
That's the spirit
that Andrzej brought into these books.
135
00:07:13,396 --> 00:07:15,021
These characters are survivors.
136
00:07:15,104 --> 00:07:17,312
[indistinct yelling, grunts]
137
00:07:18,062 --> 00:07:21,437
When I got the audition through,
um, there were two scenes,
138
00:07:21,521 --> 00:07:23,562
which had been written for the audition,
139
00:07:23,646 --> 00:07:27,271
and, um, one of them
was between her and Geralt
140
00:07:27,354 --> 00:07:32,104
and she was kind of very...
feisty and stubborn.
141
00:07:33,646 --> 00:07:35,646
And then in the other scene, she had...
142
00:07:36,271 --> 00:07:39,854
She was trying to convince someone
not to stay and die, and she was...
143
00:07:39,937 --> 00:07:43,271
You could really see,
like, her heart in it,
144
00:07:43,354 --> 00:07:46,729
and, um, and a more, kind of,
gentle side to her.
145
00:07:47,187 --> 00:07:50,687
So, I liked the fact
that she had both of those
146
00:07:50,771 --> 00:07:54,021
just shown through these audition scenes
and it wasn't just like,
147
00:07:54,104 --> 00:07:57,562
"Oh, she's going to be
a really cool, badass girl,"
148
00:07:57,646 --> 00:08:00,021
which is brilliant, but it also showed
149
00:08:00,646 --> 00:08:06,687
another strength, which is--
which is more gentle and kind and soft.
150
00:08:09,021 --> 00:08:13,146
It must have been such an undertaking
to try and find an actress
151
00:08:13,229 --> 00:08:16,812
that can really, um,
embody a character like Ciri,
152
00:08:16,896 --> 00:08:23,146
just because it comes from such lore
but also it's such an important character.
153
00:08:23,229 --> 00:08:25,521
There's so much that Ciri brings.
154
00:08:25,604 --> 00:08:29,854
Ciri is this world, you know,
she's the key for almost every character.
155
00:08:29,937 --> 00:08:32,646
I mean, she's the element
that brings everyone together.
156
00:08:33,062 --> 00:08:35,979
Every time she's on the screen,
there is something truly
157
00:08:36,062 --> 00:08:38,312
special about her,
there's something magical,
158
00:08:38,396 --> 00:08:40,146
there's something in her eyes,
159
00:08:40,229 --> 00:08:42,729
and I do think that speaks
to the character
160
00:08:42,812 --> 00:08:45,312
and, you know,
that Ciri's got that thing inside her
161
00:08:45,396 --> 00:08:48,937
and she's young,
she doesn't quite know what it is yet,
162
00:08:49,021 --> 00:08:52,771
and I think Freya's done an amazing job
at bringing that character to life.
163
00:08:54,271 --> 00:08:57,646
So, we went through the books
and we found all of the places
164
00:08:57,729 --> 00:09:00,521
where Andrzej had talked about
these characters' pasts
165
00:09:00,604 --> 00:09:03,604
and then we wove those things together
into a sort of new story
166
00:09:03,687 --> 00:09:05,312
for both Ciri and for Yennefer
167
00:09:05,396 --> 00:09:08,021
to make sure we're really digging
into their backgrounds,
168
00:09:08,104 --> 00:09:11,271
because to me, find the character,
learn the character
169
00:09:11,354 --> 00:09:14,062
and then see how they change
when they meet one another.
170
00:09:14,146 --> 00:09:15,687
That's the most exciting part.
171
00:09:16,187 --> 00:09:17,271
Before we met,
172
00:09:18,187 --> 00:09:19,312
the days were calm...
173
00:09:20,812 --> 00:09:22,271
and the nights were restless.
174
00:09:22,354 --> 00:09:23,479
But now...
175
00:09:25,021 --> 00:09:26,604
you're important to me.
176
00:09:26,687 --> 00:09:30,479
[fire crackling]
177
00:09:30,562 --> 00:09:32,396
You get the rough idea
when you're in the room
178
00:09:32,479 --> 00:09:34,271
of what this is gonna be
and you beat it out.
179
00:09:34,354 --> 00:09:36,979
"These people are gonna go here,
that's gonna go there."
180
00:09:37,062 --> 00:09:40,104
Then you have the joyous part
where you get to go home as a writer,
181
00:09:40,187 --> 00:09:43,479
by yourself, outside the room,
and come up with cool shit.
182
00:09:43,562 --> 00:09:44,812
And monsters, it's like,
183
00:09:44,896 --> 00:09:47,521
"This is the greatest thing,
I get to write monsters!"
184
00:09:47,604 --> 00:09:49,021
Who doesn't want to do that?
185
00:09:49,104 --> 00:09:51,979
[rapid drumming]
186
00:09:52,062 --> 00:09:55,854
The world of monsters and men...
in Witcher,
187
00:09:56,479 --> 00:09:59,896
those worlds are blended
and it's very, very hard to--
188
00:10:00,521 --> 00:10:05,229
to put a straight line and say,
"Okay, this is where the humans starts,
189
00:10:05,312 --> 00:10:07,771
this is where monster world starts."
190
00:10:09,812 --> 00:10:13,521
[Hissrich] The Continent that we know
was actually, um, inhabited by elves.
191
00:10:14,562 --> 00:10:17,021
And when
the Conjunction of the Spheres happened,
192
00:10:17,104 --> 00:10:20,687
it really opened the floodgates
for monsters, a lot of monsters.
193
00:10:21,021 --> 00:10:22,562
[growls]
194
00:10:22,646 --> 00:10:25,562
One of the very interesting things
about how these...
195
00:10:26,687 --> 00:10:27,812
species interact...
196
00:10:28,646 --> 00:10:29,646
is...
197
00:10:30,729 --> 00:10:34,646
that some aren't from this place,
which we call the Continent,
198
00:10:34,729 --> 00:10:37,562
and indeed all the monsters
that populate the Continent,
199
00:10:37,854 --> 00:10:40,229
some are from there,
some are created by magic,
200
00:10:40,646 --> 00:10:41,854
and others,
201
00:10:41,937 --> 00:10:45,312
even though they're monsters,
or considered monsters,
202
00:10:46,146 --> 00:10:48,937
are from a different place
or multiple different places
203
00:10:49,521 --> 00:10:50,479
and they...
204
00:10:51,646 --> 00:10:53,646
probably view mankind...
205
00:10:54,437 --> 00:10:57,104
just as much as monsters as we view them.
206
00:11:00,187 --> 00:11:03,104
That's all due to something
called the Conjunction of the Spheres.
207
00:11:03,187 --> 00:11:04,854
It's exactly what it sounds like:
208
00:11:04,937 --> 00:11:09,396
it is a bunch of different dimensions
smashing into each other
209
00:11:09,479 --> 00:11:12,854
and-- and changing the world
as we know it.
210
00:11:14,271 --> 00:11:16,687
[DeMayo]
It's really just a refugee situation.
211
00:11:16,771 --> 00:11:19,687
All these creatures
and beings from another universe
212
00:11:19,771 --> 00:11:23,104
got dumped on this Continent
that's not theirs, as refugees,
213
00:11:23,187 --> 00:11:25,896
and the humans were the ones
who were barbaric enough,
214
00:11:25,979 --> 00:11:26,937
war hungry enough,
215
00:11:27,021 --> 00:11:30,687
and also co-opted magic
from the Elder Races,
216
00:11:30,771 --> 00:11:35,437
to actually take the Continent over
and push the elves out of their lands.
217
00:11:36,437 --> 00:11:37,812
In a strange way,
218
00:11:37,896 --> 00:11:41,937
all the inhabitants of this world
are the guests in this world.
219
00:11:42,021 --> 00:11:43,437
Something was here before.
220
00:11:44,146 --> 00:11:45,562
We don't know the details,
221
00:11:46,062 --> 00:11:48,562
but monsters, dwarves, humans,
222
00:11:48,646 --> 00:11:50,312
they-- they all came later.
223
00:11:52,687 --> 00:11:56,354
Because we were looking holistically
at the world we were creating,
224
00:11:56,437 --> 00:11:59,354
I took on the creature concept design
225
00:12:00,021 --> 00:12:02,229
and for a large number of the creatures,
226
00:12:02,312 --> 00:12:05,354
got to, kind of,
do the initial concept design for those
227
00:12:05,437 --> 00:12:08,687
that then was handed off
either to prosthetics,
228
00:12:09,229 --> 00:12:11,479
uh, to create physical creatures,
229
00:12:11,562 --> 00:12:13,521
or to VFX, um,
230
00:12:13,604 --> 00:12:17,604
to then create the three-dimensional
models or the animated versions.
231
00:12:18,146 --> 00:12:21,771
[man screaming]
232
00:12:21,896 --> 00:12:24,896
And then, a lot of the creatures
that we were involved with,
233
00:12:24,979 --> 00:12:29,771
eh, were a combined effort
with the visual effects department
234
00:12:29,854 --> 00:12:31,396
because, sometimes,
235
00:12:31,479 --> 00:12:35,604
it was a creature that was entirely drawn
236
00:12:35,687 --> 00:12:37,521
by the visual effects department
237
00:12:37,604 --> 00:12:40,771
but certain parts of it were built by us
238
00:12:40,854 --> 00:12:44,896
so that there could be, like,
physical contact, uh, with the actors.
239
00:12:45,354 --> 00:12:48,604
Sometimes it was fully built
as a creature.
240
00:12:49,104 --> 00:12:52,729
One of the most interesting things
about doing some of the creature creation
241
00:12:52,812 --> 00:12:55,812
was working with Tomek Bagiński
and talking back and forth
242
00:12:55,896 --> 00:12:58,187
about Slavic mythology and fairy tales
243
00:12:58,271 --> 00:13:00,937
and bringing certain elements
into the creatures
244
00:13:01,021 --> 00:13:03,396
that are true to those stories.
245
00:13:03,479 --> 00:13:04,646
[basilisk snarling]
246
00:13:04,729 --> 00:13:06,437
-[Geralt grunts]
-[basilisk roars]
247
00:13:06,521 --> 00:13:08,896
We talk about monsters a lot
in Witcher world,
248
00:13:08,979 --> 00:13:11,396
but actually, in the original books,
249
00:13:11,854 --> 00:13:14,646
Witcher is not fighting
with monsters that often
250
00:13:14,729 --> 00:13:17,229
because this is the moment
in the history of the world
251
00:13:17,312 --> 00:13:19,812
where the monsters are
252
00:13:20,354 --> 00:13:23,271
pushed from their natural habitats
by people,
253
00:13:23,771 --> 00:13:26,562
and, at some point, we realized
254
00:13:26,646 --> 00:13:30,146
that maybe the monsters are the ones
who need protecting.
255
00:13:31,062 --> 00:13:33,396
[loud roar]
256
00:13:38,562 --> 00:13:41,729
[Hissrich] The stories take place
in a place called the Continent,
257
00:13:41,812 --> 00:13:43,229
capital C, Continent.
258
00:13:43,312 --> 00:13:46,979
It is a big world that we will continue
to explore all through the series.
259
00:13:47,771 --> 00:13:53,521
I think the thing that was most intriguing
about this project is world-building.
260
00:13:54,354 --> 00:13:57,354
Um, this was a real opportunity
261
00:13:57,437 --> 00:14:00,687
to create an environment
from the ground up.
262
00:14:01,562 --> 00:14:04,979
And for a production designer,
that's, you know, that's gold dust.
263
00:14:07,021 --> 00:14:10,521
We wanted to give the Continent
a slightly more global feel.
264
00:14:12,604 --> 00:14:16,687
In many ways, the Witcher world
has a very European basis
265
00:14:17,312 --> 00:14:18,562
and we felt,
266
00:14:18,896 --> 00:14:21,729
discussing this very early on,
that we wanted to grow that--
267
00:14:22,437 --> 00:14:25,729
that world with influences
from lots of other places,
268
00:14:25,812 --> 00:14:27,687
lots of other cultural references.
269
00:14:29,521 --> 00:14:33,271
We looked to, you know,
Japanese architecture,
270
00:14:33,354 --> 00:14:36,312
Indian architecture,
Middle Eastern architecture,
271
00:14:36,771 --> 00:14:39,187
where we could give the Continent
a sense of scale,
272
00:14:39,271 --> 00:14:42,146
um, so we didn't feel like
it's all happening in one region.
273
00:14:43,646 --> 00:14:47,146
So playing a bit with...
architectural realities,
274
00:14:47,229 --> 00:14:49,687
the architecture, let's say of Aretuza,
275
00:14:49,771 --> 00:14:53,896
like the external visage
of the Thanedd Island is quite elevated.
276
00:14:54,062 --> 00:14:58,187
You know, there's a bit of a question
of like, "Wow, where did that come from?
277
00:14:58,271 --> 00:14:59,562
How was it achieved?"
278
00:14:59,646 --> 00:15:04,062
'Cause we want to juxtapose that
with the more human architecture of-- of,
279
00:15:04,146 --> 00:15:07,146
"Okay, we understand
how a castle gets built,"
280
00:15:07,229 --> 00:15:10,521
um, but I think mixing those two things up
is really important.
281
00:15:13,771 --> 00:15:17,854
It is set in a sort of medieval period,
but having said that,
282
00:15:17,937 --> 00:15:22,771
um, the influences that I chose to use
were gothic influences of all periods.
283
00:15:23,354 --> 00:15:27,146
So, I chose those,
plus a lot of high fashion.
284
00:15:27,229 --> 00:15:29,729
And, um, another sort of idea
285
00:15:29,812 --> 00:15:32,521
that I brought into it
was using fabric manipulation,
286
00:15:32,604 --> 00:15:36,812
which is kind of, at the moment,
quite a high fashion, relevant technique,
287
00:15:36,896 --> 00:15:38,937
but it has actually been used
throughout history,
288
00:15:39,021 --> 00:15:43,396
which relatively means just,
sort of, pleating, draping,
289
00:15:43,479 --> 00:15:49,104
um, smocking, different ways of creating
flat fabric into a textured fabric
290
00:15:49,187 --> 00:15:51,729
without the addition, say,
of like adding trims,
291
00:15:51,812 --> 00:15:55,104
or, sort of, any kind of,
like, an addition.
292
00:15:55,187 --> 00:15:58,062
So, it creates sort of
an architectural shape
293
00:15:58,146 --> 00:16:02,062
and visually creates
an interesting surface to the costume.
294
00:16:02,687 --> 00:16:05,312
As far as the world goes,
with the costumes and the sets,
295
00:16:05,396 --> 00:16:08,187
it-- it feels to me like a found world.
296
00:16:08,271 --> 00:16:11,187
It's not that we're make-believing
or creating,
297
00:16:11,271 --> 00:16:14,396
it feels like we've found this world,
and for a story like The Witcher,
298
00:16:14,479 --> 00:16:17,396
I think that's really important
because it grounds it in reality.
299
00:16:17,479 --> 00:16:19,812
One of the big things
that was discussed was that
300
00:16:19,896 --> 00:16:21,854
this is not an earthbound history;
301
00:16:21,937 --> 00:16:25,562
you know, the Continent is the Continent
and it has its own set of rules.
302
00:16:27,437 --> 00:16:29,812
It has the Elder Races
and there's a history
303
00:16:29,896 --> 00:16:32,312
and there's the monoliths,
and there's a-- there...
304
00:16:32,396 --> 00:16:35,229
We're sort of peeling away
layers of the onion
305
00:16:35,312 --> 00:16:40,896
and beginning to do so in series one
and there are a lot more layers that come.
306
00:16:40,979 --> 00:16:45,521
So, we wanted to be able to hint at that,
sort of tease a little bit
307
00:16:45,604 --> 00:16:48,562
what might be revealed
as we get further into the story.
308
00:16:49,979 --> 00:16:52,854
It's a world of magic,
and because of that, it's--
309
00:16:53,271 --> 00:16:55,437
it's limitless, you can do anything...
310
00:16:55,521 --> 00:16:56,729
I did it!
311
00:16:56,812 --> 00:16:59,729
...but with that comes a hell of a lot
of struggle as well, and danger.
312
00:17:00,937 --> 00:17:02,771
It's a very dark...
313
00:17:02,854 --> 00:17:03,687
[man] Now!
314
00:17:03,771 --> 00:17:05,229
[Chalotra] ...violent world.
315
00:17:10,646 --> 00:17:13,771
Where we, sort of, dig into that
on a really practical level is-- is,
316
00:17:13,854 --> 00:17:16,979
uh, how does magic work in our series?
317
00:17:17,396 --> 00:17:19,937
Magic is really interesting;
we call it "chaos."
318
00:17:20,021 --> 00:17:22,937
And the cool thing
about playing with chaos is that
319
00:17:23,021 --> 00:17:25,021
we always say
there's a give and take to it.
320
00:17:25,104 --> 00:17:28,937
What we didn't want to do is have a show
where our characters could perform magic
321
00:17:29,021 --> 00:17:31,437
to get in or out of any tricky situation.
322
00:17:31,521 --> 00:17:32,854
There's no, sort of, drama there.
323
00:17:32,937 --> 00:17:34,062
I'm doing it!
324
00:17:34,146 --> 00:17:35,312
Your hand!
325
00:17:35,687 --> 00:17:37,479
[panicked shrieks]
326
00:17:37,562 --> 00:17:40,396
[piercing screams]
327
00:17:40,479 --> 00:17:41,687
[Ndiweni] Chaos is everywhere.
328
00:17:41,771 --> 00:17:45,687
We live in a world where there will be
and there is a lot of chaos,
329
00:17:45,771 --> 00:17:49,062
and there are some people
who have the ability to take chaos
330
00:17:49,146 --> 00:17:51,479
and make it into something positive
331
00:17:51,562 --> 00:17:54,354
or contain it in a way
that it's no longer dangerous.
332
00:17:55,104 --> 00:17:57,354
[Chalotra] Magic is...
333
00:17:58,271 --> 00:18:00,771
It comes to people in different ways,
334
00:18:01,396 --> 00:18:05,229
depending on where it's inherited from,
335
00:18:05,729 --> 00:18:09,146
and the way you channel it,
there's a discipline to it and...
336
00:18:10,021 --> 00:18:11,604
not everyone can do it.
337
00:18:13,729 --> 00:18:16,396
When we started filming, shooting,
338
00:18:16,479 --> 00:18:19,521
you know it says,
"...and Mousesack conjures a wall,"
339
00:18:19,604 --> 00:18:24,854
or conjures something up and, you know,
y-you stand with your director
340
00:18:24,937 --> 00:18:28,146
and, um, Lauren Hissrich, the showrunner,
341
00:18:28,229 --> 00:18:31,437
you say, "Okay, this is how
I think Mousesack should,
342
00:18:31,854 --> 00:18:34,396
um, bring the energy into the room
343
00:18:35,062 --> 00:18:37,104
and, um, what do you think?"
344
00:18:37,521 --> 00:18:40,021
[laughing] And-- and so we try stuff.
345
00:18:40,104 --> 00:18:44,479
Um, it has to be otherworldly
and it should come from something unique
346
00:18:44,812 --> 00:18:47,229
that you feel would give you
a powerful energy
347
00:18:47,979 --> 00:18:49,854
and, um, in the end, you know,
348
00:18:50,687 --> 00:18:55,562
it's very still, and out of the chaos
comes control.
349
00:18:57,396 --> 00:19:00,479
-[people screaming]
-[Yennefer breathing heavily]
350
00:19:00,562 --> 00:19:02,437
[Chalotra] Initially, from the audition...
351
00:19:02,521 --> 00:19:03,562
[Yennefer grunts]
352
00:19:03,646 --> 00:19:05,979
[Chalotra] ...I didn't really know
anything about Yennefer.
353
00:19:06,937 --> 00:19:10,396
It was the power she had in the scene
that I was playing,
354
00:19:11,312 --> 00:19:12,437
and...
355
00:19:13,437 --> 00:19:18,146
then I looked, obviously,
researched the character and...
356
00:19:19,271 --> 00:19:21,021
got to know her from the books.
357
00:19:21,104 --> 00:19:23,437
[Chalotra laughing]
358
00:19:23,521 --> 00:19:27,896
Um, I was curious as to why she was
presenting herself in the way she was
359
00:19:27,979 --> 00:19:29,354
and I was...
360
00:19:29,771 --> 00:19:33,604
and I wanted to figure out
what her struggle was.
361
00:19:33,687 --> 00:19:37,271
And I think for any actor...
362
00:19:37,354 --> 00:19:38,354
um...
363
00:19:38,646 --> 00:19:41,021
that-- the arc that she goes through
364
00:19:41,812 --> 00:19:45,187
is an incredible challenge.
365
00:19:46,354 --> 00:19:50,646
And I-I love discovering more about her
366
00:19:51,062 --> 00:19:56,146
the more I read
and the more I play her, I suppose.
367
00:19:58,146 --> 00:20:03,437
Anya has brought a depth to the role
of Yennefer that is extraordinary.
368
00:20:03,521 --> 00:20:09,771
I think fans and newcomers to the story
will absolutely fall in love with her.
369
00:20:10,646 --> 00:20:13,271
It was so important to get a character,
or an actress rather,
370
00:20:13,354 --> 00:20:16,104
who could really go through
the transformation that was needed,
371
00:20:16,187 --> 00:20:17,687
could really play a young girl,
372
00:20:17,771 --> 00:20:18,937
who physically had the chops
373
00:20:19,021 --> 00:20:22,354
to be able to play with a disfigurement
that Yennefer has, um,
374
00:20:22,437 --> 00:20:27,896
and then to go through the transformation
into an incredibly powerful figure,
375
00:20:28,646 --> 00:20:32,604
but also a figure who is torn,
who's absolutely desperately torn.
376
00:20:32,687 --> 00:20:35,562
So you needed somebody
who really had the chops to do that,
377
00:20:35,646 --> 00:20:36,812
and Anya delivers that
378
00:20:37,521 --> 00:20:38,354
in spades.
379
00:20:38,729 --> 00:20:41,687
[gentle guitar music playing]
380
00:20:41,771 --> 00:20:45,896
At the heart of our series
are Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri.
381
00:20:45,979 --> 00:20:48,354
And what's fun in the first season,
382
00:20:48,437 --> 00:20:51,521
is that they're never all three
in the same place at the same time.
383
00:20:51,604 --> 00:20:55,896
They're kind of on a crash course
to one another.
384
00:20:56,354 --> 00:20:58,937
I think the parallel timelines
385
00:20:59,021 --> 00:21:02,646
I think is a really interesting mechanism
to tell the story
386
00:21:02,729 --> 00:21:05,646
and I think something that's interesting
about those parallel stories
387
00:21:05,729 --> 00:21:10,062
is when you first start to watch this,
you're going to watch it through one lens,
388
00:21:10,146 --> 00:21:13,687
then when you get to a certain point
you realize these stories will converge,
389
00:21:13,771 --> 00:21:16,771
I think it's really interesting
to then go back and to relook
390
00:21:16,854 --> 00:21:20,437
and you can look for moments where
someone's taking a look to somebody else
391
00:21:20,521 --> 00:21:22,771
and you see it
through a completely different...
392
00:21:22,854 --> 00:21:24,812
through a completely different lens.
393
00:21:24,896 --> 00:21:26,312
[indistinct chatter]
394
00:21:28,271 --> 00:21:31,521
[Hissrich] The great thing about Destiny
is Destiny is an end
395
00:21:31,604 --> 00:21:33,604
based on the choices that you make.
396
00:21:34,021 --> 00:21:36,937
So, that's how we kind of see
this first season,
397
00:21:37,021 --> 00:21:38,687
as a series of choices
398
00:21:38,771 --> 00:21:41,104
that lead these characters
toward one another.
399
00:21:41,437 --> 00:21:45,771
And I think that what Lauren
and her team wrote so well
400
00:21:45,854 --> 00:21:50,396
was characters that made sense,
that actually felt like you and me,
401
00:21:50,479 --> 00:21:54,312
that were actually normal people
in the fantasy world,
402
00:21:54,896 --> 00:21:57,979
and I think that's why
the series will be so strong.
403
00:21:58,062 --> 00:22:01,729
So, it's that we feel for these people
because we understand them.
404
00:22:03,271 --> 00:22:05,771
I think everyone likes to see themselves
in stories, don't they?
405
00:22:05,854 --> 00:22:07,604
I mean,
that's why we all watch television,
406
00:22:07,687 --> 00:22:11,812
it's why we all read books
or go to the movies or play video games.
407
00:22:11,979 --> 00:22:15,104
You want to find how you are represented.
408
00:22:15,187 --> 00:22:16,062
[baby cries]
409
00:22:16,146 --> 00:22:18,562
I think that's...
When you're coming into a world like this,
410
00:22:18,646 --> 00:22:20,062
it's finding those metaphors
411
00:22:20,521 --> 00:22:22,104
for, you know, adolescence,
412
00:22:22,187 --> 00:22:24,521
which is what Ciri's journey is
in some cases.
413
00:22:24,646 --> 00:22:27,271
It's, "Oh my gosh,
I have this magical power
414
00:22:27,354 --> 00:22:29,521
and I don't know
what's going on with my body."
415
00:22:29,604 --> 00:22:32,437
That's adolescence for so many people,
male or female,
416
00:22:32,521 --> 00:22:35,854
and it's kind of finding those touchstones
where you can take the fantastical
417
00:22:35,937 --> 00:22:38,896
and root it in something
that everybody can kind of relate to
418
00:22:38,979 --> 00:22:40,812
and has experienced in their own lives.
419
00:22:42,271 --> 00:22:44,896
[Allan] Geralt has being orphaned
as a child as well,
420
00:22:44,979 --> 00:22:47,604
so I think it's a massive thing is, um...
421
00:22:47,687 --> 00:22:48,937
[indistinct chatter]
422
00:22:49,021 --> 00:22:50,312
...is people...
423
00:22:51,104 --> 00:22:53,687
being together
and having people around
424
00:22:53,771 --> 00:22:58,521
that care for you,
and I think that's what they're all after.
425
00:22:59,646 --> 00:23:04,062
What I like about our adaptation
and about what we are doing here
426
00:23:04,646 --> 00:23:08,187
is a very, very heavy focus on emotions
and the relationships.
427
00:23:08,271 --> 00:23:10,729
I think it's-- it's just beautiful.
428
00:23:11,604 --> 00:23:13,562
And all those things are in the books,
429
00:23:13,646 --> 00:23:16,271
and they are very, very important
in the books,
430
00:23:16,354 --> 00:23:19,604
but I think we are giving it
even more attention
431
00:23:19,687 --> 00:23:22,312
and we are bringing it
into a different level.
432
00:23:24,146 --> 00:23:27,271
One of the great elements,
of course, of this story, which is...
433
00:23:27,354 --> 00:23:29,771
I'm very glad that Lauren
434
00:23:29,854 --> 00:23:32,771
and her team
of incredible writers has kept,
435
00:23:32,854 --> 00:23:36,896
because I think it's a very important
part of this world, is the humor,
436
00:23:37,354 --> 00:23:42,396
and it can be very funny at times,
within the destruction and the darkness.
437
00:23:42,979 --> 00:23:44,812
There's always these pops of humor.
438
00:23:45,396 --> 00:23:49,729
What I love about
what Henry has brought to the character,
439
00:23:49,812 --> 00:23:52,937
and, in fact, the writers have brought
to the whole piece...
440
00:23:53,979 --> 00:23:54,979
it's almost--
441
00:23:55,062 --> 00:23:56,354
I mean, you can say it's modern,
442
00:23:56,437 --> 00:23:58,896
but you can also say, actually,
it's timeless humor.
443
00:23:58,979 --> 00:24:02,646
Why are you dressed
like a sad silk trader?
444
00:24:03,146 --> 00:24:06,604
And also the way Henry does the humor,
445
00:24:07,396 --> 00:24:08,979
uh, brings his humor,
446
00:24:09,062 --> 00:24:12,229
because he has a giggle about him,
he has a tickle about him, very much so.
447
00:24:12,562 --> 00:24:16,312
Everyone loves a white knight,
but a white knight with a dry
448
00:24:16,396 --> 00:24:18,021
and slightly off sense of humor
449
00:24:18,937 --> 00:24:21,312
is-- is more enjoyable to watch
and to play.
450
00:24:21,396 --> 00:24:24,271
I've watched Henry and Joey
do some of their scenes
451
00:24:24,437 --> 00:24:27,187
and I think there's definitely a bit of -
I always say this -
452
00:24:27,271 --> 00:24:30,979
there's definitely a bit of a Shrek
and Donkey relationship going on there.
453
00:24:31,062 --> 00:24:32,812
Come on, Geralt, tell me. Be honest.
454
00:24:33,354 --> 00:24:35,187
How's my singing?
455
00:24:36,271 --> 00:24:37,896
[water splashing]
456
00:24:37,979 --> 00:24:40,687
It's like ordering a pie
and finding it has no filling.
457
00:24:41,271 --> 00:24:45,812
I remember the email coming in
about 24 hours before the audition,
458
00:24:45,896 --> 00:24:49,854
panicking so...
so strongly because I realized
459
00:24:49,937 --> 00:24:52,812
how fantastic
the role of Jaskier really was.
460
00:24:53,604 --> 00:24:56,604
My sister, at the time, she said,
461
00:24:56,687 --> 00:24:59,812
"How are you doing? What's going on?
There's something's different about you."
462
00:24:59,896 --> 00:25:02,854
And I said, "Yeah,
have a read of this character."
463
00:25:03,437 --> 00:25:07,604
And her response was, "Joey,
are we in a dream that you are having?
464
00:25:08,104 --> 00:25:10,562
Because this is so perfect."
465
00:25:10,646 --> 00:25:12,646
You have the most incredible neck.
466
00:25:13,812 --> 00:25:16,396
-It's like a-- a sexy goose.
-[Geralt groans]
467
00:25:16,479 --> 00:25:19,771
And from then on,
throughout the audition process
468
00:25:19,854 --> 00:25:24,687
and also landing the role,
everything felt incredibly exciting
469
00:25:24,771 --> 00:25:26,562
but weirdly normal.
470
00:25:26,646 --> 00:25:29,479
This was... meant to happen.
471
00:25:30,437 --> 00:25:35,187
Every single day has been an exploration
in that natural feeling
472
00:25:35,271 --> 00:25:39,396
and feeling at home,
and finding, creating a new family.
473
00:25:39,479 --> 00:25:41,729
Run away. Run away, Geralt! Oh God!
474
00:25:42,854 --> 00:25:43,687
Geralt!
475
00:25:43,937 --> 00:25:46,562
Had to get it from the inside.
I'll take what I'm owed.
476
00:25:46,646 --> 00:25:50,437
♪ Toss a coin to your Witcher
O, Valley of Plenty ♪
477
00:25:50,812 --> 00:25:52,021
♪ Whoa-ho-ho ♪
478
00:25:52,104 --> 00:25:53,229
[all] ♪ Toss a coin... ♪
479
00:25:53,312 --> 00:25:55,187
[Batey] This song, uh, uh...
480
00:25:55,979 --> 00:25:58,854
was written by our composers,
Sonya and Giona, who are...
481
00:25:58,937 --> 00:26:02,521
uh, who went through
various different versions of it.
482
00:26:02,604 --> 00:26:05,937
Eventually, what we found was, em...
483
00:26:06,729 --> 00:26:11,854
was a folk-like quality to this song
that we really wanted it to...
484
00:26:12,187 --> 00:26:14,229
to travel across this land,
485
00:26:14,312 --> 00:26:15,771
to be...
486
00:26:16,312 --> 00:26:19,521
reminiscent of those folk songs
of the days of yore
487
00:26:19,604 --> 00:26:21,521
where there's a Celtic twang to it.
488
00:26:21,604 --> 00:26:24,812
But also there's a slightly "Pop-y" catch.
489
00:26:24,896 --> 00:26:28,104
It's a fantastic thing
for Jaskier to be able to bring to...
490
00:26:28,812 --> 00:26:31,896
to the Continent, and for the composers
to bring to the show,
491
00:26:31,979 --> 00:26:34,479
is that it is an exercise in PR.
492
00:26:34,562 --> 00:26:36,521
He starts to come up with this song
493
00:26:36,604 --> 00:26:40,062
and Geralt of Rivia immediately notices
that he says...
494
00:26:40,146 --> 00:26:41,854
That's not how it happened.
495
00:26:42,729 --> 00:26:44,312
Where's your new-found respect?
496
00:26:46,687 --> 00:26:48,354
Respect doesn't make history.
497
00:26:49,271 --> 00:26:51,021
[Batey] And I think he understands...
498
00:26:51,896 --> 00:26:53,021
hu-- people...
499
00:26:53,687 --> 00:26:56,271
in a-- in a different way to Geralt.
500
00:26:56,354 --> 00:26:59,021
He understands that in order
to make your way in this world,
501
00:26:59,479 --> 00:27:02,146
sometimes you've got
to fudge the edges a little bit.
502
00:27:02,812 --> 00:27:09,229
♪ Toss a coin to your Witcher
Oh, valley of plenty ♪
503
00:27:09,312 --> 00:27:14,021
♪ Hee ♪
504
00:27:17,437 --> 00:27:20,229
[indistinct shouting]
505
00:27:20,312 --> 00:27:22,646
There's a huge amount of action
in the series,
506
00:27:22,729 --> 00:27:26,062
and to reflect
the diversity of the stories,
507
00:27:26,146 --> 00:27:30,479
um, we've had a stunt coordinator
who's overseeing the entire season,
508
00:27:30,562 --> 00:27:31,396
Franklin Henson,
509
00:27:31,854 --> 00:27:34,271
um, who's done a phenomenal job,
510
00:27:34,354 --> 00:27:40,479
uh, at just constantly creating
and managing action through the season.
511
00:27:40,812 --> 00:27:45,187
Um, but then to help reflect
the diversity of the different stories,
512
00:27:45,396 --> 00:27:46,854
we've also brought people in
513
00:27:46,937 --> 00:27:50,146
to come and bring different flavors
in the action.
514
00:27:51,146 --> 00:27:53,771
We brought on a fight coordinator,
515
00:27:54,396 --> 00:27:55,229
Wolfgang,
516
00:27:55,812 --> 00:27:57,396
who has come to help us
517
00:27:57,479 --> 00:28:00,604
um, with some of the fights
that are early on in the season.
518
00:28:02,104 --> 00:28:04,521
-Everything is A-okay.
-[Wolfgang laughing]
519
00:28:04,812 --> 00:28:06,521
It's... He's a positive Witcher.
520
00:28:06,604 --> 00:28:10,021
[Emanuel] The moment
where Geralt is faced with,
521
00:28:10,104 --> 00:28:12,521
uh, these brigands with Renfri's gang.
522
00:28:12,604 --> 00:28:16,021
And I think it's interesting
because we've teased at what Geralt can do
523
00:28:16,104 --> 00:28:18,729
but, at this moment,
we haven't seen what he can do,
524
00:28:19,146 --> 00:28:21,604
and you end up in a Mexican standoff
in this town,
525
00:28:21,687 --> 00:28:24,396
where he's faced with
these seven bad guys.
526
00:28:24,896 --> 00:28:27,479
[Cavill grunting]
527
00:28:27,771 --> 00:28:28,687
[man 1 groans]
528
00:28:28,771 --> 00:28:30,354
[man 2 chuckling]
529
00:28:30,437 --> 00:28:31,854
[man 3] Cameras cut, thank you.
530
00:28:31,937 --> 00:28:34,271
[people laughing]
531
00:28:34,354 --> 00:28:38,104
[Emanuel] We're incredibly lucky
to have Henry as our, uh, as our Geralt.
532
00:28:38,771 --> 00:28:42,021
He brings that quiet resolve
and that natural strength,
533
00:28:42,104 --> 00:28:44,104
obviously, that he has.
534
00:28:44,187 --> 00:28:48,104
He does all his own stunts,
which is a producer's worst nightmare.
535
00:28:48,187 --> 00:28:51,104
If it's Geralt on the screen,
that's Henry...
536
00:28:51,937 --> 00:28:55,812
and he will probably have
ten days of training to do those fights
537
00:28:55,896 --> 00:28:59,229
and it's interesting
because what the fight team will do
538
00:28:59,312 --> 00:29:01,937
is to really lean into Henry's strengths.
539
00:29:02,021 --> 00:29:05,979
I mean, he is a, you know,
he is a huge strong person,
540
00:29:06,062 --> 00:29:07,604
um, and, uh...
541
00:29:08,021 --> 00:29:11,937
And it's really interesting when you lean
into people's, you know, natural skills
542
00:29:12,021 --> 00:29:14,021
how much more believable something looks.
543
00:29:14,104 --> 00:29:16,312
But, yeah,
it's about ten days of rehearsals
544
00:29:16,396 --> 00:29:18,229
for a fight that we'll shoot in two days,
545
00:29:18,687 --> 00:29:20,437
that will be on screen
for about two minutes.
546
00:29:22,604 --> 00:29:26,187
And the idea is that, it's to really have,
like, great set pieces,
547
00:29:26,271 --> 00:29:29,021
um, that reflect the diversity
of the stories.
548
00:29:29,521 --> 00:29:32,562
And I think it's really exciting
that you can watch a whole season
549
00:29:32,646 --> 00:29:35,312
and it's never gonna feel
like "same-y" action,
550
00:29:35,437 --> 00:29:36,771
it's all very different.
551
00:29:37,354 --> 00:29:40,146
-[rumbling]
-[swooshing]
552
00:29:44,271 --> 00:29:48,146
The Witcher stories, I mean, it touches on
everything we're dealing with now:
553
00:29:48,229 --> 00:29:50,562
the fallout of colonialism,
554
00:29:50,979 --> 00:29:53,771
class disparity with the haves
and the have-nots,
555
00:29:53,937 --> 00:29:56,271
indigenous cultures getting fucked over,
556
00:29:56,562 --> 00:29:58,479
racism, sexism.
557
00:29:59,021 --> 00:30:00,187
The world gone mad.
558
00:30:00,271 --> 00:30:02,104
People having power
that shouldn't have power,
559
00:30:02,187 --> 00:30:05,396
people rising up, constant flux.
560
00:30:05,979 --> 00:30:09,979
This world is an ocean and is a tempest
and that's what The Witcher is.
561
00:30:12,354 --> 00:30:16,396
If I had to boil it down,
I would say that the themes...
562
00:30:16,479 --> 00:30:18,896
the theme that resonates
with me most is, sort of,
563
00:30:18,979 --> 00:30:20,812
blurring the lines of good and evil.
564
00:30:20,896 --> 00:30:24,479
And it's my goal that that's what people
talk about after they watch the show,
565
00:30:24,562 --> 00:30:27,896
is that we've worked really hard
to make sure there's not really good guys
566
00:30:27,979 --> 00:30:29,479
or bad guys in our world.
567
00:30:29,771 --> 00:30:33,229
If you start watching episode one,
the person that you think is good
568
00:30:33,312 --> 00:30:35,312
that you think is the hero of the story,
569
00:30:35,396 --> 00:30:37,521
by the end, you may feel
very differently about
570
00:30:37,604 --> 00:30:40,562
because, suddenly,
you have a different perspective.
571
00:30:42,437 --> 00:30:45,187
But love... is one of the strong themes...
572
00:30:46,146 --> 00:30:47,062
and...
573
00:30:47,979 --> 00:30:49,604
its ability to change a person.
574
00:30:51,521 --> 00:30:55,937
And I think something that's interesting
is as we've gone along we've all learnt
575
00:30:56,354 --> 00:30:57,479
kind of what the...
576
00:30:57,979 --> 00:31:01,229
what the tone of the show is
and who these characters are,
577
00:31:01,354 --> 00:31:04,771
and it's really interesting as we go on
to continue to develop that.
578
00:31:06,479 --> 00:31:10,187
Again, I think it's really exciting
to see where the show will go to next.
579
00:31:10,271 --> 00:31:14,646
[somber violin music playing]
580
00:31:15,312 --> 00:31:16,687
[Bagiński] It's a dream come true.
581
00:31:16,771 --> 00:31:20,354
It's one of those situations where
you're really fighting for something
582
00:31:20,437 --> 00:31:23,812
for so long that you stop believing that
it will happen and suddenly it happens.
583
00:31:24,229 --> 00:31:25,146
Excited?
584
00:31:25,229 --> 00:31:26,771
I am, all the time.
585
00:31:27,187 --> 00:31:29,021
It's just a great adventure.
586
00:31:29,479 --> 00:31:33,187
[Hissrich] I wanted to introduce the world
to the three of them at the same time
587
00:31:33,271 --> 00:31:36,771
and allow them each to really flourish
as characters on their own.
588
00:31:37,437 --> 00:31:40,396
And it's really fun
to sort of track each of them
589
00:31:40,479 --> 00:31:44,104
and see that they do need each other,
they really do need family.
590
00:31:44,187 --> 00:31:46,771
["The Song Of The White Wolf"
by Declan de Barra playing]
591
00:31:46,854 --> 00:31:48,104
Above all of that,
592
00:31:48,271 --> 00:31:53,271
how are Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer
going to factor into this Continent
593
00:31:53,354 --> 00:31:57,396
that is at war
and appears to be at war over Ciri?
594
00:31:57,479 --> 00:31:59,271
[music continues]
595
00:31:59,354 --> 00:32:01,104
So, there's so much set up.
596
00:32:02,187 --> 00:32:04,354
Stick with us, there's much more to come.
597
00:32:04,437 --> 00:32:06,021
[music continues]
598
00:32:06,104 --> 00:32:10,437
♪ The Song of the White Wolf ♪
599
00:32:10,521 --> 00:32:14,979
♪ Is cold as driven snow ♪
600
00:32:17,271 --> 00:32:21,896
♪ Bear not your eyes upon him ♪