Netflix is Making a Series Based on ‘The Witcher’

The Witcher, the popular series of books by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, that inspired the acclaimed video game series of the same name, is coming to Netflix in the form of an English-language drama series.

The show, referred to simply as The Witcher Saga in a press release, will be produced by renowned CG visual effects studio Platige Image, which also produced some cinematics for the video games, so they already have some experience in the universe on which to build.

Notably, Andrzej Sapkowski will be brought on as a creative consultant for the show. “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 said in the press release. The author has previously expressed regret over not earning enough money from the video game trilogy, the third installment of which earned $250 million in revenue and spawned the popular digital card game Gwent.

Sapkowski declined to accept payment in the form of a percentage of the game’s profits, and instead opted for a single payout from developer C.D. Projekt Red. Though he has since praised the game’s content and quality, Sapkowski told Eurogamer, “I was stupid enough to leave everything in their hands because I didn’t believe in their success. But who could foresee their success? I couldn’t.” This time around he appears far less skeptical.

There has been no word yet on the format of the series, whether it will be CGI or live-action, or on what story the showrunners plan to tell. It could stick, Game of Thrones-style, to the books, or it could opt to look to the video games in following the characters beyond the novels. One thing the show will carry over from the games is director Tomasz Bagiński, who previously directed the game’s cinematics. If nothing else, Bagiński’s involvement indicates Platige Image likely plans to maintain the dark, morally ambiguous tone that The Witcher does so well.

Take a look at some of Platige Image’s work for the games below. Be warned, the video is graphic.

The Witcher Saga doesn’t have a release date yet.