Which parts of the Witcher books is Netflix going to adapt?

Image: Netflix/The Witcher

6. The fall of Cintra

From the picture above, as well as a couple of other shots, it seems pretty likely that we’re going to see the fall of Cintra happen onscreen. The kingdom of Cintra is Princess Ciri’s home, and is the first country to fall to the invasion of one of the series’ main antagonists: the Nilfgaardian Empire. The destruction of Cintra happens offscreen in the books, with Geralt only finding out about it after it’s over. There are several flashbacks throughout the series to this pivotal moment, where the safety of having a home is torn away from Ciri and she’s set on the course that leads to the Witcher saga proper. In addition, it serves as the catalyst for much of the political upheaval that happens afterward.

Given how much drama surrounds this moment, it makes sense that Netflix might choose to include it (though what parts specifically they include remain to be seen). Ciri’s grandmother is killed in the destruction of the city — an event we get a glimpse of with her cryptic line — “find Geralt of Rivia” — at 1:19.

It’s also a great way to show the audience how the political landscape is shifting, as opposed to simply explaining it in conversation. And of course, it gives the show some prime opportunities to have battle scenes—something which there are relatively few of in the tightly contained stories of the early Witcher books.