The book-adapted Netflix series, "The Witcher," has seen remarkable success since it first debuted in 2019. Part of what drew its audiences was the immersive quality of its setting, with filming locations scattered across the globe.
"The Witcher" universe begins in the literary world created in the eponymous novel series authored by Andrzej Sapkowski. Creator Lauren Schmidt Hissrich and an entire crew of directors, producers, artists, and actors brought it to life onscreen in 2019.
Longtime fans of "The Witcher" anticipated the series with excitement, and today it is believed to be one of the most successful and streamed shows of all time. It follows Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter with supernatural abilities, in the fictional Continent.
A Netflix street ad showcasing "The Witcher" in Spain. | Source: Getty Images
Geralt of Rivia's story is entwined with that of Ciri, princess of Cintra, and Yennefer of Vengerberg's as it continues expanding in the world of Witchers, sorcerers, and warriors, all with a significant part to play. "The Witcher" was incredibly well-received and now holds three Primetime Emmy nominations.
Among its stars is an admittedly avid follower of the original books and video games, Hollywood star Henry Cavill. For the first three seasons, he became the show's face as Geralt of Rivia. His main co-stars were actress Freya Allan, who played Ciri, and Anya Chalotra, Yennefer.
Among the show's major pull factors was the efforts put into the physical world-building of its central setting, the Continent. A gigantic budget was dedicated to filming in several breathtaking locations worldwide; see them explored below.
Where Was 'The Witcher' Filmed? Season One Locations
Season One of "The Witcher" was primarily filmed at Mafilm Studios and Origo Studios in Hungary. It begins in the fictional village of Blaviken, which was entirely created by the Mafilm Studios design team.
Blaviken is where viewers witness Geralt of Rivia's first action sequence, where he earns the title "The Butcher of Blaviken." Other parts of Hungary where exterior shots were taken include the hills of Csákberény village, the Kiscelli Museum in Óbuda, and the Skanzen Village Museum.
The Skanzen Village Museum was used to portray Yennefer's village, and the Geological Park of Bauxite Mining also appears briefly in this season. Several other historical sites in Hungary were used for exterior and interior scenes, including Aretuza's Hall and the Northern Mage's conclave.
Crucifixes in the cemetery during the Day of the Dead celebrations November 1 , 2020, in Vác, Hungary. | Source: Getty Images
The cast and crew also traveled to Burg Kreuzenstein and filmed shots of a castle close to Leobendorf in Austria. The following notable location was the Canary Islands, which houses an autonomous community along the coast of Spain.
Among the specific locations visited on the islands are La Gomera, Gran Canaria, and La Palma. In the show, one of the Canary Islands' deserts, the Natural Dune Reserve of Maspalomas, served as the seas of sand viewers see Geralt travel through. The jungles and beaches served as Dryads' Brokilon Forest.
People walk through the sand dunes at sunset on December 7, 2020, in Maspalomas, Spain. | Source: Getty Images
Season Two Filming Locations Were Restricted to the United Kingdom
As Covid-19 swept the globe in 2020, with lockdowns and traveling restrictions, filming for Season Two was restricted to the United Kingdom. "The Witcher" team had to get creative using resources at the Arborfield Studios.
The interior shots and scenes, within sets created by the design team, were filmed primarily in the studio. However, on-location scenes were still taken, though restricted within the UK, when necessary.
Notable mentions include Coldharbour Wood, a forest located in Chichester, England. It served as the background for a village of elves with significant additions from the art department. The team also shot scenes in Bourne Wood.
A general view of woodland at Leigh Hill on September 24, 2010, in Coldharbour, England. | Source: Getty Images
Bourne Wood is a staple filming location for numerous fantasy and adventure movies, including "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," starring the beloved Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, "Gladiator," and "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom."
Scenes, where Geralt of Rivia is seen near a body of water were taken at the Lake District, either in North Yorkshire or Cumbria. "The Witcher" team also took advantage of the Fountains Abbey monastery, the Blea Tarn Valley, the Hodge Close Quarry, and the Frensham Ponds in the Lake District.
The ruins of Fountains Abbey, Cistercian Abbey, Studley Royal Park in England, United Kingdom. | Source: Getty Images
Season Three Locations Gave 'The Witcher' Team More Liberty
Filming for Season Three began in the first quarter of 2022 after lockdown restrictions around the globe had eased. The team began filming in Laghi di Fusine, an icy lake located in northern Italy.
It served as one of Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer's stops, as the three were being hunted. A prominent filming location for this season was the Guildford Cathedral in Surrey, England. It served as Emperor Emhyr's palace.
Previously, the Guildford Cathedral was used for another Netflix Original, "The Sandman," which stars Tom Sturridge, Gwendoline Christie, and David Thewlis. Another prominent location in "The Witcher" TV series is the Aretuza Academy, and in this season, Three Cliffs Bay in Swansea, Wales, was used to portray the training institution.
An aerial view of the par 4, seventh hole 'Castle' looking towards the Three Cliffs Bay at Pennard Golf Club on May 2, 2023, in Swansea, Wales. | Source: Getty Images
A house by the lake in Stara Baska, on Kyrk Island, Croatia, appears briefly as another stop for Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri after escaping their burning home. "The Witcher" team also visited the Nash Point Lighthouse in Glamorgan Heritage Coast, South Wales.
This location was used to film a segment where Geralt, Ciri, and Jaskier (played by Joey Batey) fight a new beast inside a ship. Although "The Witcher" had more liberty to explore exotic locations to expand the series' universe, many interior scenes were still shot in Long Cross Studios.
An aerial view of Guildford Cathedral | Source: Getty Images
Like Guildford Cathedral, Long Cross Studios is also in Surrey, England. Season three was the last that fans would see Henry as Geralt of Rivia, as confirmed in late 2022. His castmates and fans alike were devastated to learn of his exit.
Liam Hemsworth will fill the actor's now-former role in Season Four. Speaking of Henry's replacement, Anya's hopes for the show, though she acknowledged how different it was from the books, had remained strong.
She trusted Liam's abilities, stating, "I'm not worried. He's going to be brilliant. I really think so." The script is said to have already been completed. A release date has yet to be confirmed, what with the writers and actors strike currently underway, but season four is estimated to debut in late 2024.
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