Frances Pooley appears on screen as Teryn, a confused girl who believes she is Princess Cirilla of Cintra. She is a key figure in The Witcher’s Season 4, presented to the Emperor of Nilfgaard as his long-lost daughter. But behind this major role lies a secret casting history that recently came to light. The showrunner revealed that Pooley was first cast in The Witcher years ago, for a different character entirely.
Before she was the “False Ciri,” Pooley was selected to play a young version of Princess Pavetta. This character is the mother of Ciri and was seen in the pivotal Season 1 banquet scene. In that famous episode, Pavetta falls in love with a cursed knight named Duny and releases a burst of magical power. The role ultimately went to actress Gaia Mondadori. However, the production team knew they wanted Pooley for the series and waited for the perfect part for her. That part arrived in Season 3 with the character of Teryn, who fans of the books know as the “Fake Ciri.”
This surprising detail was shared by showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich in a social media post. Fans were intrigued to learn that an actress who became important in later seasons was almost part of the show’s foundational story from the very beginning.
From Pavetta to Teryn: A Different Path to the Continent
The role Pooley originally auditioned for, young Pavetta, is central to The Witcher’s core mythology. Pavetta’s magical outburst at her betrothal feast and her subsequent marriage to Duny directly set the “Law of Surprise” in motion. This ancient law is what ultimately binds Geralt to Ciri. Had Pooley played the role, she would have been part of one of the series’ most iconic early moments.
Instead, the show’s creators held onto Pooley until they found a character they felt was a better fit. In her post, Hissrich explained the decision, stating they “knew that Frances was special — that the Witcher needed her. We just had to wait for the right part to present itself.” That part was Teryn, a character who brings a complex layer of deception and tragedy to the story.
While the character is known in Andrzej Sapkowski’s original novels simply as the “False Ciri,” the Netflix series gave her the name Teryn. She is a half-elf and a former student at the Aretuza magic academy. The villainous mage Vilgefortz kidnapped her, tortured her, and used magic to brainwash her. He altered her memories and appearance to make her believe she is the real Ciri, turning her into a political pawn. Pooley’s first appearance as the bewildered and manipulated Teryn came towards the end of The Witcher Season 3.
Teryn’s Crucial Role in The Witcher Season 4
In Season 4, which premiered on October 30, 2025, Teryn’s impersonation becomes a major plot point. She is brought before Emperor Emhyr var Emreis, who is Ciri’s biological father. Knowing she is an impostor, Emhyr publicly accepts her as the real Ciri to strengthen his political position. He plans a sham wedding to solidify Nilfgaard’s claim over the Northern kingdoms.
Teryn is placed under the care of Countess Stella Congreve, a new character played by Claire Cage, who is tasked with looking after the false princess. The sorceress Yennefer eventually uncovers the truth about Teryn’s identity and her origins at Aretuza, exposing Vilgefortz’s scheme.
“Frances brought such humanity to the character, and launched her on an unexpected arc of her own, finding her place when she’s pretending to be someone else — so much so, we had to give her a real name: Teryn,” said showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich.
Despite being a tool for Emhyr’s ambitions, Teryn is portrayed with deep vulnerability. She is a victim who genuinely believes the false memories planted in her mind. Her story highlights themes of stolen identity and the exploitation of the innocent in a world torn apart by war and power struggles.
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Fan Reactions and the Future of the Series
The reveal about Pooley’s original casting sparked interest among fans of the series. Many engaged in lighthearted “what if” discussions, curious about how the show might have been different if she had appeared in Season 1. However, most agree the casting change worked out for the best, allowing Pooley to make a significant impact in her later, more prominent role.
Teryn’s fate as of Season 4 remains uncertain, leaving her story open for the series’ final chapter. The Witcher Season 5 is currently in production and will be the show’s last. It will continue to adapt the remaining novels in Sapkowski’s series.
The series itself is moving through a major transition. Season 4 is the first to feature Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia, taking over the role from Henry Cavill. The new season finds Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri separated and each forming new alliances as they struggle to survive and find each other again.
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