The Witcher season 3 trailer proves the Netflix show could survive without Geralt

Is the latest season 3 trailer teasing the rise of a new Witcher?

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The official trailer forThe Witcherseason 3 has been released online – and it hints at how the hit Netflix series could have survived without Geralt of Rivia sticking around.

Netflixreleased the latest teaser for its hit high fantasy series today (June 8). The two-and-a-half minute long trailer, which you can watch below, is packed with storylines and references that diehard fans ofThe Witcherwill immediately recognize.

More importantly than that, though,The Witcherseason 3’s latest trailer proves that one of thebest Netflix showscould have continued without Geralt – portrayed by Henry Cavill or otherwise – as its star attraction. Before we explain why, check out the new trailer first:

As the teaser, well, teases, Freya Allan’s Princess Ciri of Cintra appears to be taking on a bigger role in the popular TV show’s story.

That won’t come as a surprise to fans ofAndrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy book series, which Netflix’sWitcherfranchise is based on, or the videogame series of the same name. In both Sapkowski’s source material and the games, Ciri’s role in helping decide the fate of The Continent is well-known. After all, you don’t get labeled the Child of Destiny if you’re not key to your universe’s survival.

AsThe Witcher’s third season’s trailer suggests, Ciri will continue to grow her sword-wielding skills, increase the power of her abilities (as shown by her being tutored by Anya Chalotra’s Yennefer of Vengerburg), and assume a leadership role in the surrogate family she shares with Yennefer and Henry Cavill’s Geralt.

And that’s vital for the future of the hit Netflix series. As viewers already know,Henry Cavill won’t be back forThe Witcherseason 4, or any future installments in the franchise. He’s departing the Netflix show once its third season –which is being released in two parts in late June and late July– airs. No reason has been given for Cavill’s departure yet but, rest assured, we’ll learn more once the dust settles on the series' next outing.

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For her part,showrunner Lauren Hissrich exclusively told TechRadar that she “fully understands"why fans were left concerned and angry by the announcement over Cavill’s impending departure. Cavill has been a leading light in the show and, while his replacement – Liam Hemsworth – might end up being as good a Geralt as his predecessor, fans are still upset to see Cavill (a bigWitcherfan in his own right) walk away from the role that seems tailormade for him.

Still,The Witcherseason 3’s latest trailer suggests that the series could’ve managed without Cavill’s Geralt in the picture, especially if it starts leaning more heavily in the direction of Allan’s Ciri becoming its main star.

Hissrich previously told Total Film (viaGamesRadar) that, without Cavill, the show’s creative team considered ending after three seasons, but opted against doing that. Hisrrich also toldEntertainment Weeklythat Cavill’s Geralt will get a deservedly heroic send-off before he rides off into the sunset.

So, the possibility ofThe Witchermoving forward without Geralt must have been proposed at some stage. If it was – and with Ciri’s increasingly central role, at least based on the latest footage – thenThe Witcher’s TV adaptation may have been fine with Hemsworth assuming the mantle of Geralt.

We’ll never know if that was possible – two more seasons ofThe Witcherare in production, with Hemsworth’s Geralt likely to feature heavily in both. Still, the newest trailer seems to prove that, with or without Geralt, Netflix’sThe Witcherwould have been in safe hands with Ciri (and potentially Yennefer) leading it into a bright new future. It wouldn’t even need a name change, either – Ciri saying that she considers herself to be a Witcher in the latest teaser. Anyway, we guess Netflix is leaving it up toPolaris, the next Witcher game from developer CD Projekt Red, to show if that is ultimately possible.

For moreWitcher-based coverage, read ourreview of prequel seriesThe Witcher: Blood Origin. Alternatively, check out thesesix new Netflix Originals, includingThe Witcher, that are worth streaming in June 2023.

As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

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