Netflix’s big-budget fantasy series “The Witcher” has often strayed from its source material much to the chagrin of fans.
Then the other month Beau DeMayo, a former writer on the series, made comments indicating that other writers on the show had expressed outward disdain for the source material and would even mock the original books.
This has led to an online narrative that the writers hate or don’t care about the books or games, some even suggesting this was a big sticking point that led to Henry Cavill’s exit from the series.
It’s not true though, according to showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich. Speaking with the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Gazette, she has denounced any idea that she herself had any dislike of either Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels or CD Projekt Red’s games.
Addressing DeMayo’s comments directly, she says: “Do you believe … that when one person [DeMayo] states something as fact, that it’s therefore fact? This particular thing is not a fact.” She then goes on to say:
“I think if you watch … any interview I’ve ever done … including those with [Andrzej Sapkowski] … you’ll see that I am quite a fan of the books [and the games]. I love the books. I’m s— at the games, but that’s me, not them. I’ve never mocked the books … The books are my entire livelihood, I have a great relationship with Mr. Sapkowski, and writers rooms are sacred and safe and – more than anything – supportive spaces. Don’t believe everything you read.”
Despite DeMayo’s comments, Hissrich holds no ill will towards the writer and says some of the episodes he wrote were among her favorite of the entire series:
“I have great respect for Beau, and the episodes he wrote! The Striga episode is one of my favorites. He wrote the one where people came to Kaer Morhen and Eskel died, which had a lot of backlash, but he was brave in telling the story he wanted to tell. It takes a lot of balls to do that. I respect that.”
Whether Hissrich’s comments will be believed by, let alone soothe, an angry fanbase is not clear. The third season of the series has already been shot and is expected to air next year, with a fourth in the works with Liam Hemsworth to take over the lead role of Geralt of Rivia.
