Entertainment
Say Goodbye to the Version of ‘The Witcher’ You Thought You Knew
Netflix’s The Witcher is one of the streamer’s most popular fantasy series, with four action-packed seasons following Geralt (Henry Cavill and Liam Hemsworth), Ciri (Freya Allan), and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) through a tumultuous adventure. Season 5 is now expected in 2027, after a delay, with Netflix previously confirming that it will wrap up the story. While the impending conclusion means fans will soon say goodbye to these beloved characters, it’s not really the end because the Netflix show is only a fraction of the larger Witcher franchise.
Fans may think they know the story after keeping up with The Witcher since 2019, but that is only one adaptation, with Andrzej Sapkowski‘s books also having been made into a video game series. Now, a new version has joined the rest, with Orbit set to release full-cast audiobooks that will offer something different for fans of the franchise, whether they started with the Netflix series, the games, or the books.
‘The Witcher’ Is Getting a Full-Cast Audiobook
This newest version of The Witcher is an exciting prospect, though it will be released in chronological order according to the story rather than mirroring the books’ original publication order. The audiobooks will kick off with Crossroads of Ravens, a more recent addition to the series published in English only last year that follows an 18-year-old Geralt in his early days as a Witcher. Only Crossroads of Ravens‘ full-cast audiobook is currently available for preorder, but The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, the next stories in the timeline, are expected to be released this November, with even more of the series to follow in 2027.
These audiobook releases will provide a new way for fans to enjoy the story, but they also allow for new additions to the world. Once again, fans will meet a brand new Geralt, with Vikings: Valhalla‘s Sam Stafford taking over the role. Joining him are Richard Armitage as Preston Holt, Clare Corbett as Nenneke, and Tom Alexander as Artamon of Asguth, as well as the narrator of previous Witcher audiobooks, Peter Kenny.
‘The Witcher’s Full-Cast Audiobooks Will Tell a New Version of the Story
Full-cast audiobooks have become a growing trend, with examples like GraphicAudio’s Fourth Wing or Audible’s Harry Potter paving the way. The Witcher joining such well-loved titles not only puts it at the forefront of this expanding medium but also confirms the books’ enduring power. These audiobooks make the experience more immersive by giving characters distinct voices and often adding sound effects. For The Witcher, this release represents another way to introduce the story to new fans, and that is an exciting prospect.
Like the Netflix series, this audiobook is a performance that allows the actors to bring their own take to Sapkowski’s iconic characters, but its format immediately sets it apart from the series or games. With the stories coming directly from Sapkowski’s books, the audiobooks will also avoid the changes Netflix made in the adaptation process that frustrated many longtime fans. Ultimately, this immersive experience is perfect for both newcomers who have been meaning to read the books and those who already love them and want to experience them in an entirely new format.
- Release Date
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December 20, 2019
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Stephen Surjik, Charlotte Brändström, Edward Bazalgette, Loni Peristere, Louise Hooper, Bola Ogun, Alex Garcia Lopez, Gandja Monteiro, Sarah O’Gorman
- Writers
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Haily Hall, Clare Higgins, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Jenny Klein, Tania Lotia
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