The Witcherseason 3 throws the audience into a world full of rich characters, including one that Joey Batey insisted on pulling from the books. The books are the main source material for the plot of the Netflix series, and it was integral to remain consistent with this content.
The Witcherseason 3, in particular, is based on the second novel in the Andrzej Sapkowski series,Time of Contempt. The story largely hinges on Ciri as a main character, which producers have promisedwill remain faithful toThe Witcherbooks. Now coming into her own, Ciri will be free to have more agency in her life. The book focuses on the Cintran princess’ struggle with harnessing her magic. An apt title, the source material forThe Witcher’s new season is full of tragedy and difficult choices. But Batey’s desire to include a specific character was more personal.
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“I insisted on putting a book character in,” Batey toldGamesRadar+in an interview. “I said, ‘Can we please have Vespula in there please.'” A paramour of Jaskier’s, Vespula was a character Batey had become acquainted with during the audition process. “We have this scene from the book, and it was just nice to be able to return to that and the scene with Vespula is the scene that I auditioned with five years ago. So it just felt really full circle and I felt very settled in the character.”
Vespula has already transcended mediums from book form to the game. Typically seen yelling at Dandelion for chasing other women and throwing frying pans at him, her inclusion brings more flavor to the backstory of Jaskier. Other book and game characters will also have a bigger role in the new season. Briefly seen in season 2 when she isn’t in her customary owl form, Philippa Eilhart will pull many strings. Fans will also finally see the Redanian King Radovid mentioned last season in aconflict withThe Witcher’s problematic elves.
Season 3 is an opportunity to expand onThe Witcherworld and is less likely toangerThe Witcherbook fans with erroneous changes. While Vespula isn’t as fully fleshed out as Philippa or Dijkstra, she does serve an important function. In the first two seasons, Jaskier was barely given enough screen time to function as a main character. Geralt dismissed him in season 1, and he does now show up again until halfway through season 2. Vespula’s inclusion gives Jaskier more of an inner life and a chance to grow beyond supporting Geralt and a source of comedic relief.
The Witcherseason 3 vol. 1 is airing on Netflix.
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