Child actor Tristan Ruggeri is playing Young Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher

Netflix has confirmed that newcomer actor Tristan Ruggeri is playing Young Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, the streaming service’s upcoming adaptation of author Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novels. Most likely, the show will use to him in flashbacks to show what life was like for Geralt before he grew up to be Henry Cavill.

Geralt’s early years are interesting territory, and largely unexplored. According to series lore, Geralt was born to the sorceress Visenna, who left him at Kaer Morhen, the witcher’s keep. There, Master Vesemir inducted Geralt into the mysterious order of witchers, monster hunters who roam the Continent taking what jobs they can get.

To become a witcher, one has to undergo a series of brutal trials, including the Trial of the Grasses and the Trial of the Forest Eyes. These do more than just test someone’s endurance or will; they change people physically. Young would-be witchers are exposed to mutagens which, when they work, grant them enhanced strength, speed and stamina. Too often, they don’t, and whoever is undergoing the trials dies. Geralt was one of the few who made it through intact, if forever changed.

If we had to guess, we’d say this is the happy childhood Ruggeri will get to play out. That would fit with what we’ve seen of the trailer; by the looks of it, we’ll also be diving into the past of Yennefer, Geralt’s on-again/off-again sorceress love interest.

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So far, everything about the show is looking pretty promising. We can hardly wait, but Netflix has yet to set an exact premiere date for the show, although we know the first season will be out by the end of the year.

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h/t IGN