The Witcher season 2 welcomes a hoard of new characters along with the series' many familiar returning faces - here’s every new and returning character confirmed so far. Based on the book series of the same name by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher made its debut on Netflix in December 2019 and was an instant success. The streaming giant immediately sensed The Witcher's inherent popularity, renewing it for a second season before the first one was even released.
Netflix’s The Witcher took a different approach to Sapkowski’s original stories and followed three characters in different places and points in time, with their paths converging towards the end of the season. Those characters are the title witcher, Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), the powerful sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), and the crown princess of Cintra, Ciri (Freya Allan). Season 2 will continue their stories and add new characters to the mix, both from the books and the original Sapkowski cast.
The team behind The Witcher had already announced the arrival of characters like Geralt’s mentor Vesemir and his fellow witchers Lambert and Eskel, with a slew of names since added to this already extensive cast. Alongside the standard Witcher season 2 characters, the Netflix series' latest trailers have also introduced a string of formidable creatures for Geralt and his new allies to battle. Here’s every new and returning character confirmed to appear in The Witcher season 2 so far.
What New Characters Are In Witcher Season 2
The Witcher season 2 story adds a plethora of new The Witcher characters for Geralt and company to interact with. Set to primarily follow Andrzej Sapkowski's first Witcher novel Blood of Elves, The Witcher season 2's returning characters Geralt and Ciri will seek out the haven of Kaer Morhen, while Yennefer separately embarks on a journey of self-discovery following being presumed dead at the Battle of Sodden Hill. In addition, The Witcher season 2 adds many characters to its already impressive roster. Geralt's Witcher mentor Vesemir will make his first series appearance after The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf animated prequel confirmed his backstory, while the rogue leader Nivellen is also making an entrance in The Witcher season 2's opening episode.
Three more Witchers are also headed into the fray, with Coën, Lambert, and Eskel likely to feature in the Kaer Morhen story arc. Fenn (of Codringher and Fenn) is confirmed to be investigating Ciri's Cintran heritage, while Vereena the Bruxae will also appear alongside the powerful sorceresses Lydia, sca, Philippa, and Nenneke. The dogged Sigismund Dijkstra is sure to provide intrigue as the Continent's towering detective, although his role in The Witcher season 2 is yet to be expanded upon. Rounding out the new Witcher season 2 character list are several brand new faces created exclusively for the Netflix series, with Violet, Ba'lian, and Rience adding a fresh foil to the established Witcher franchise characters.
Geralt of Rivia
It goes without saying that the eponymous Witcher will be back in season 2. By the end of The Witcher season 1, Geralt had finally found Ciri as the Law of Surprise binds them, and according to the description of season 2, he will take the young princess to his childhood home of Kaer Morhen. As in season 1, Geralt of Rivia will be played by Henry Cavill.
Yennefer of Vengerberg
The last time viewers saw Yennefer, she was defending Sodden Hill along with other mages before she channeled a massive stream of fire and disappeared. Even this mammoth effort could not prevent Yennefer's survival for The Witcher season 2, however, and set photos have shown her in chains, that point to a rocky start for her character before an eventual reunion with Geralt. Yennefer will be played by Anya Chalotra once more.
Ciri
After spending most of season 1 hiding and running for her life, Ciri will now travel to Kaer Morhen with Geralt, where he and other Witchers will train her. Most importantly, Ciri will continue exploring her powers and will learn how to control and channel them, though that won’t be an easy task as there’s a lot of mystery surrounding her powers to date. Freya Allan will, of course, reprise her role as the budding spellcaster Ciri.
Jaskier
Fan-favorite Joey Batey will return as the effervescent bard Jaskier, with the Netflix Witcher season 2 trailer confirming he begins the season imprisoned. While the reason for his incarceration currently remains unknown, it is certain Geralt breaks Jaskier out of jail for his help, resulting in the iconic pair's reunion for The Witcher season 2 once more.
Cahir
Eamon Farren will also return as Cahir, a Nilfgaardian army commander who leads the invasion of Cintra and the hunt for Cirilla. Cahir's character provided ample menace to The Witcher season 1's proceedings, and his return is assured here as the Nilfgaadians attempt to consolidate their power across the Continent. Cahir's climactic battle against the defeated (but surviving) Vilgefortz also sets up a second bout between the two ferocious warriors that is likely to unfold as The Witcher season 2 progresses.
Tissaia de Vries
The Rectoress of Aretuza went through quite the conscientious journey in The Witcher season 1, with Tissaia eventually resolving to battle the Nilfgaardian forces atop Sodden Hill. While bested in magical combat by the now evil Fringilla, Tissaia was saved by Yennefer channeling a fiery maelstrom against the Nilfgaardians. Tissaia will return in the Witcher season 2 and is portrayed by MyAnna Buring.
Vilgefortz of Roggeveen
While Vilgefortz's current whereabouts are unknown, his tactical retreat following his sound dismissal by Cahir sets up Vilgefortz to fight another day. Mahesh Jadu will reprise his role as the charismatic sorcerer, who will undoubtedly play a big role in turning the tide against the imperious Nilfgaardian army in The Witcher season 2.
Istredd
Royce Pierreson's Istredd was responsible for much of Yennefer's early growth as a budding sorcerer, with the adept historian confirmed as returning for The Witcher season 2. Istredd will seek the help of Codringher and Fenn as he seeks to unravel the truth behind Ciri's lineage and, as of yet, untapped potential as a caster.
Triss Merigold
Triss was also present at the Battle of Sodden Hill at the end of The Witcher season 1, and while she didn’t have a supposedly final fate like Yennefer, she was severely injured when she was burned in the chest by a fire torch while protecting the entrance and blocking the Nilfgaardian army. Set videos have spotted Anna Shaffer reprising her role as Triss, which was expected as in the books she plays an important part in Ciri’s training.
