The Tease That Ignited a Firestorm

The buzz began in December 2021 when Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, the driving force behind Netflix’s The Witcher, spoke exclusively to Digital Spy about the direction of Season 4. Drawing from Sapkowski’s Time of Contempt, the second novel in the saga, Hissrich hinted at a deeper exploration of relationships, stating, “It’s a season that starts to delve more into relations, and just sort of talking about how relationships can be different.” She specifically name-dropped Philippa Eilhart, a sorceress known to book readers as a queer icon, promising that her sexuality would not be sidelined. “We have Philippa, who’s best known… I would say she’s a queer icon for book readers. We delve into her character. It’s not something we shy away from,” Hissrich said, adding a layer of intrigue by suggesting that Ciri’s sexuality, hinted at in the books, would also be explored further.

This tease came at a pivotal moment for the series. Season 2, released in December 2021, had already faced criticism for its limited queer representation despite the rich diversity in Sapkowski’s novels. Hissrich’s comments were a clear signal of intent to address this gap, aligning with her earlier statements in a 2020 Reddit AMA where she affirmed, “One of my favorite things about the books is that they are full of subversion… Yes, we’re gonna represent.” The announcement was met with jubilation from fans eager for inclusivity, but it also stirred controversy among purists who felt the show was straying too far from the books’ canon, a tension that has defined The Witcher’s adaptation journey.

The Characters in Focus

Philippa Eilhart: A Queer Icon Reimagined

Philippa Eilhart, portrayed by Cassie Clare in Season 4, is a formidable sorceress and political manipulator in Sapkowski’s world. In the books, her lesbian identity is subtly woven into her character, notably through her relationship with Assire var Anahid, though it’s often secondary to her scheming. Hissrich’s promise to “delve into her character” suggests a more prominent exploration, potentially featuring on-screen relationships or alliances that reflect her queerness. Episode 3 of Season 4, Part 1, delivers on this with an intimate moment between Philippa and Eva (Cal Watson), marking a rare depiction of queer intimacy in the series. This move has been hailed as progress, especially after the lackluster queer representation in The Witcher: Blood Origin (2022), where relationships were underdeveloped.

Fans of the books, however, note that Philippa’s sexuality was never a focal point in the source material, raising questions about whether this emphasis is a natural evolution or a forced addition. Hissrich’s approach seems to prioritize visibility, stating, “We try very hard to show that fantasy is for everyone, and represents everyone,” a nod to her goal of broadening the show’s appeal in a genre historically dominated by male, heterosexual narratives.

Ciri: A Subtle Evolution

Ciri, played by Freya Allan, is the heart of The Witcher’s narrative as the Child of Elder Blood, destined to shape the world’s fate. Her bisexuality is canon in the books, most notably through her relationship with Mistle, a member of the Rats gang, detailed in Baptism of Fire. This relationship, marked by trauma and intimacy, is explicit yet underexplored in the games, where Ciri’s romantic options lean toward male characters like Skjall. Hissrich’s tease that “we start to delve into that more” suggests Season 4 will hint at Ciri’s fluidity, though not fully commit, given her young age and ongoing journey.

Allan has expressed enthusiasm for this development, telling RadioTimes.com in June 2023, “It’s exciting to see Ciri’s world expand in ways that reflect her complexity.” However, the show’s pacing—split into two parts with only five episodes each—may limit how deeply this aspect is explored, especially with Ciri’s plot focusing on her training and the looming threat of Vilgefortz. Critics argue this could result in tokenism, a concern echoed by Autostraddle’s Heather Hogan, who noted in 2021 that labeling Ciri’s sexuality as “hinted at” risks diluting its significance in Poland, one of Europe’s most homophobic countries.

The Broader Context of Queer Representation

The Witcher enters Season 4 with a mixed track record on LGBTQ+ representation. Season 1, released in 2019, was critiqued for its lack of overt queer characters, despite Jaskier’s (Joey Batey) queer-coding through his flamboyant demeanor and homoerotic banter with Geralt. This subtext, while embraced by some fans, was not canonically confirmed until Season 4, Part 1, with Jaskier’s romance with Prince Radovid (Hugh Skinner). Episode 4, “The Invitation,” features their intimate kiss, a moment Batey described to Gay Times as “an honor” to portray sensitively, reflecting his excitement and apprehension about avoiding stereotypes.

This development marks The Witcher’s first major queer male romance, a departure from the books where Jaskier is a womanizer. Batey and Skinner’s chemistry, praised by Pride.com in July 2023, has been a highlight, with Skinner, a gay actor, calling it a “thrilling opportunity” given the show’s global reach. Yet, the narrative takes a dark turn as Radovid’s political ascent in the finale—crowned king after his brother’s assassination—suggests their romance may be jeopardized by war and manipulation, echoing the “bury your gays” trope fans fear.

The inclusion of queer characters aligns with a broader trend in fantasy. Shows like Shadow and Bone (2021) and His Dark Materials (2019-2022) have embraced diverse identities, challenging the genre’s cisgender, heterosexual default. Hissrich’s vision to make fantasy “for everyone” mirrors this shift, but The Witcher’s adaptation choices—diverging from Sapkowski’s minimal focus on sexuality—have sparked backlash. CBR.com noted in August 2023 that fans of the books were “upset” by Jaskier’s non-canonical romance, though many welcomed the diversity as a necessary evolution.

Fan Reactions and Cultural Impact

The tease has polarized the fandom. On X, hashtags like #WitcherQueer and #CiriLGBTQ have trended since 2021, with supporters like @FantasyFan2025 posting, “Finally, The Witcher is for all of us!” Others, such as @BookPurist, argue, “Stick to the books—don’t force diversity for woke points.” This divide reflects a broader cultural clash between adaptation fidelity and modern inclusivity, intensified by Henry Cavill’s 2022 exit, partly attributed to creative differences over the show’s direction.

The representation’s impact is significant in Poland, where Sapkowski’s works originated and where homophobia remains prevalent—evidenced by 2020’s “LGBT-free zones” declared by some municipalities. Hissrich’s decision to highlight Ciri and Philippa’s queerness could challenge these norms, though TheGeekiary’s Farid-ul-Haq critiqued in June 2023 that the show risks tokenism if it doesn’t commit fully. The global reach of Netflix—over 230 million subscribers—amplifies this potential, offering visibility to queer youth in restrictive regions.

Challenges and Controversies

The move isn’t without risks. Season 4’s divergence from canon has already strained relations with purists, with Cavill’s departure after Season 3 signaling discontent. His replacement, Liam Hemsworth, debuting in Season 4, faces pressure to maintain The Witcher’s appeal amid these shifts. The “bury your gays” concern, raised by Gayming Magazine in 2021 regarding male queer representation, looms large with Radovid’s political rise, potentially sidelining Jaskier’s arc.

Critics also question the timing. With Blood Origin’s poor reception—dragged for its pacing and shallow queer moments—Season 4’s success hinges on execution. Hissrich’s promise of “brave narrative beats” in Part 2, as told to Digital Spy in July 2023, suggests a willingness to push boundaries, but the split release format may dilute impact. The lack of a major queer male storyline in Season 2, despite Hissrich’s 2020 tease, fuels skepticism about follow-through.

The Path Forward

Season 4, Part 1’s confirmation of Jaskier’s queerness and Philippa’s intimacy are steps forward, but the story’s resolution in Part 2 will determine their weight. Ciri’s arc, likely teased rather than resolved, sets up future seasons under Hemsworth, where her bisexuality could be fully explored. Hissrich’s goal to reflect a diverse Continent—evidenced by its multiracial casting from Season 1—suggests a long-term commitment, though balancing fan expectations with creative liberty remains a tightrope walk.

This LGBTQ+ moment could redefine The Witcher’s cultural footprint, aligning it with progressive fantasy narratives while risking alienating its traditional base. As of July 21, 2025, with Part 2’s release two years past, the legacy of this tease is still unfolding. Fans await Hemsworth’s Geralt and the evolution of these characters, hoping Hissrich delivers on her vision of a fantasy world that truly represents everyone.