Fans of The Witcher can look forward to a shorter wait for the show’s final act. The fifth and final season has already finished filming, setting the stage for an epic conclusion to Geralt of Rivia’s story. With the main cast returning and the story diving into the last of the beloved books, here is everything we know about the upcoming season.
The Story So Far
The Witcher season four ended with its main characters scattered across the Continent. Geralt of Rivia, now played by Liam Hemsworth, has been officially knighted by Queen Meve and is in her service. However, his main goal remains finding Ciri. For her part, Ciri is in a dangerous situation, having been captured by the bounty hunter Leo Bonhart after he killed all her friends in the Rat gang. Meanwhile, Yennefer has formed The Lodge of Sorceresses and entrusted its leadership to Triss. She is now focused on her own mission: to find and stop the powerful mage Vilgefortz for good.
The show’s creator, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, described the season four finale as a “heartbreaking” turn for Ciri and the darkest point in the narrative. She has promised that the next season will bring a much-needed sense of redemption.
“The finale I think is the thing everyone should brace for,” Hissrich said, noting that the next season will bring “a redemption for some of these characters” and “some reunions and at least a little bit of happiness.”
When to Watch The Witcher Season 5
Netflix has not yet announced an official release date for The Witcher season five. However, a clear picture is forming based on the production timeline.
Filming for the fifth season was completed in late September 2025. This was part of a unique production strategy where the fourth and fifth seasons were shot back-to-back over an 18-month period. Joey Batey, who plays Jaskier, explained that this approach makes the two seasons feel like one continuous story.
“It’s essentially season 4 parts one and two, that’s how we shot it,” Batey said. “We shot it in 18 months, all in one go… I think that comes through in the actual show.”
Looking at the production schedule of the previous season, which also took about a year from the end of filming to its release on Netflix, a reliable estimate points to a release in late 2026, most likely around September or October 2026.
The Final Season’s Story and Source Material
Season five will pick up right where season four left off, continuing the adaptation of author Andrzej Sapkowski’s books. The story is expected to cover the events of the final two novels in the series: The Tower of the Swallow and The Lady of the Lake.
This means viewers will see Geralt continue his search for Ciri with his company of allies. Ciri will have to find a way to escape from Leo Bonhart. Yennefer’s pursuit of Vilgefortz will intensify, leading toward a major confrontation. The storyline involving Emperor Emhyr, Ciri’s father, who seeks her to fulfill a prophecy, will also reach its climax.
Lauren Schmidt Hissrich and her team planned the last two seasons as one cohesive narrative. This allowed them to carefully set up story elements for the finale while they were still filming the fourth season.
“We treated in the writer’s room season 4 and 5 as one large story,” Hissrich confirmed, adding that the episodes form “the story of this family journey back together.”
Who Is Returning for the Final Season?
The main cast from season four is expected to return for the final chapter. This includes:
- Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia
- Freya Allan as Ciri
- Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg
- Joey Batey as Jaskier
They will be joined by key supporting cast members, including:
- Laurence Fishburne as the vampire Regis
- Meng’er Zhang as Milva
- Danny Woodburn as Zoltan
- Mahesh Jadu as the villain Vilgefortz
- Bart Edwards as Emperor Emhyr
- Sharlto Copley as the bounty hunter Leo Bonhart
New characters from the books will also be introduced, expanding the world for the finale. Reported new cast members include Emily-Jo Young as Shani, a medical student, and Kate Dickie as Sigrdrifa, a priestess.
A Satisfying End to the Saga
Netflix officially confirmed in April 2024 that season five would be the series’ last. The decision to end the show was planned in advance, allowing the writers to craft a definitive conclusion rather than having the series be cancelled abruptly.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring Andrzej Sapkowski’s books to an epic and satisfying conclusion,” showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich said in a statement. “It wouldn’t be our show if we didn’t push our family of characters to their absolute limit — stay tuned to see how the story ends.”
The back-to-back filming of the final two seasons was a key part of this plan, ensuring a consistent vision and a shorter wait for fans before the story’s final chapter arrives on Netflix.
Also Read: The Witcher Showrunner Explains Why Liam Hemsworth Is the Right Geralt for Season 4
