With ‘The Witcher‘ season 4 almost here, fans are getting ready for big changes on the Continent. This season will see Liam Hemsworth take over as Geralt of Rivia, a move that’s already got people talking. But while everyone’s wondering how the new Geralt will fit in, the story’s original writer, Andrzej Sapkowski, has surprised fans with something unexpected.
During a recent online Q&A, the author opened up about the one actress he always imagined as Yennefer of Vengerberg, and his choice has fans wishing Netflix had gone in a different direction.
Andrzej Sapkowski Thinks Eva Green Would’ve Been Perfect As Yennefer
Before the show returns to Netflix, Sapkowski brought fans back to the ‘The Witcher‘ world himself. On September 30, he released a new book titled ‘Crossroads of Ravens‘. The story takes readers back to Geralt’s early days as a witcher, showing his first few adventures after leaving Kaer Morhen. To celebrate the launch, Sapkowski joined fans for a Reddit Q&A where he spoke about his writing, his characters, and even shared thoughts on the Netflix series.
During the session, he revealed who he would have chosen to play Yennefer and Ciri if it were up to him. The answer made fans stop and think about what the show could have been. With Henry Cavill’s exit and Hemsworth stepping in, season 4 already feels like a fresh start. Now, Sapkowski’s dream casting has brought new attention to how different The Witcher might have looked with his choices.
When asked about his dream cast, Sapkowski said he could imagine Eva Green as Yennefer. For Ciri, he mentioned a young Natalie Portman but added that it was more of a “wishful thinking” idea. Green’s known for her strong, mysterious roles in ‘Casino Royale’, ‘Penny Dreadful’, ‘Sin City: A Dame to Kill For’, and ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’, and often plays powerful women with secrets.
In Netflix’s version, Anya Chalotra plays the role. While her performance has been praised, some fans feel the show made Yennefer look too young, which changed her relationship with Geralt. In the books, however, the two are equals. For many fans, the closest version of book Yennefer still comes from the video game ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt‘, where Denise Gough voiced the character.
What Inspired Yennefer’s Character in ‘The Witcher‘
Sapkowski also talked about what inspired him when he created Yennefer. He said she was a mix of many famous figures like Homer’s Circe, the Irish goddess Morrigan, Norse Freya, Queen Guinevere, and Nimue from Arthurian legend. The mention of Nimue caught fans’ attention, since she actually appears later in ‘The Witcher‘ books.
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Sapkowski brings her in as part of a storyline that connects the series to deeper myths and legends. It shows how much he draws from old stories and gives them new life in his world. When asked about illustrations that captured his idea of Yennefer, he mentioned two book covers he liked: one from the Spanish edition of Sword of Destiny by Alejandro Colucci and one from the French hardcover of The Sword of Providence by Mikaël Bourgouin.
Now, Sapkowski’s comments have given fans a lot to think about. Many can’t help but wonder how different the show might have been if Eva Green had been cast from the start. Netflix has gone its own way with the story and characters, but Sapkowski’s words remind fans how vivid his imagination still is. Even years after creating Yennefer, he knows exactly what kind of actress could bring her to life.
