The Witcher season 2 features a very different-looking Ciri. Here’s whether or not Netflix recast Freya Allen’s character for season 2.
The Witcher season 2’s Ciri looks very different, but did the Netflix series recast the major character? The first season of The Witcher introduced people around the world to the high-fantasy realm in which Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) resides. The show took viewers on a journey as Geralt slew various monsters, encountered the powerful sorceress Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), and finally met Ciri (Freya Allan) after her long search for him. The bond between Geralt and Ciri through the Law of Surprise continues in season 2, with Yennefer being added to their found family.
The story of The Witcher season 2 follows Yennefer, as she tries to regain her powers, and eventually crosses paths with Geralt and Ciri. In addition, the season 2 villain, the Hut Witch, seeks Ciri’s body in order to use her powers for opening a portal to another dimension, unleashing monsters on Geralt. A key part of The Witcher season 2 was further exploring the power that lies within Ciri and the final reveal as she’s asked to join the Wild Hunts. As exciting as The Witcher season 2 was, some viewers are puzzled by Ciri’s new look, and whether or not she was recast.
Ciri’s new look for The Witcher season 2, particularly her eyebrows, caused confusion among many. The character looked different enough that people assumed Freya Allen’s character had been recast. Here’s why Ciri looks so different in The Witcher season 2, and whether or not studios found a new actress to fill the role.
Ciri Grew Up Between The Witcher Seasons 1 & 2 And Looks Completely Different
The Witcher season 2 featured plenty more Ciri than season 1, but she looks noticeably different. This has sparked some discussion about whether or not Netflix recast Ciri for the new season. However, the truth is that they didn’t: Freya Allan is once again playing the mysteriously powerful character. So why does she look so different (especially in the eyebrow department)? The explanation is as simple as the young star growing up considerably during and between productions. The first season of The Witcher started filming right after Allan turned 17, but production on season two lasted until she was nearly 20. This extended gap in time, during which Allan is exiting adolescence and maturing, explains why Ciri looks so different in The Witcher season 2.
Why Season 2 Was Delayed
The dramatic change in Ciri’s appearance only became more prominent due to delays to The Witcher season 2’s production. The show originally started filming in February 2020, when Allan was 18 years old. Multiple COVID-19 shutdowns and an injury to Henry Cavill caused severe delays to filming. More than a year after Allan returned to work, the Witcher season 2 wrapped filming in April 2021. This meant she was only five months away from her 20th birthday. Although the circumstances behind Allan’s visible onscreen age gap are pretty unique, TV and movie productions regularly deal with extended pauses between seasons. Netflix is no stranger to this either – the young cast of Stranger Things aged visibly between new seasons.
Ciri’s Story In The Witcher Season 3
Ciri’s season 3 story, based on the revelations from The Witcher season 2, is set to be an exciting new character arc for the princess. Ciri now has more people after her than ever before. Fringilla has always been looking for the prophecized child, whereas the elves want to use Ciri to bring forth the apocalypse on humans. Her own father, another big reveal for The Witcher season 2, is also on his way to hunt down his daughter. Finally, the Wild Hunts are keen for Ciri to join them, as the Horsemen of the Apocalypse are convinced that she is one of them. Ciri’s The Witcher season 3 story will follow her and Geralt as she must make the decision to either join the Apocalypse or continue on her path with the monster hunter. In addition, she’ll have to spend most of her time evading capture, as there are several powerful figures on the hunt for Ciri.
A plot summary has also been released via Twitter that further describes Ciri’s role in the story. Ciri will be hunted down by nearly every creature in the land. Therefore, Geralt and Yennefer will have to keep her in hiding. In the meantime, Yennefer will guide their found family to the fortress Aretuza to unlock Ciri’s true power in The Witcher. However, this leads the gang into trouble, as they find themselves facing off against magical beings, corruption, and dark magic.
The Witcher season 2 doesn’t address Ciri’s appearance at all — which is not a big deal. The new season picks up relatively close to where the first season ended, with Geralt and Ciri still getting to know each other and Yennefer still gone. Either way, The Witcher season 2 completely ignored an explanation behind Ciri’s new appearance. This was for the best, as Freya is still playing her titular role. Hopefully, Ciri’s look won’t add confusion to the narrative.
About The Author
