Despite a muddled first season, The Witcher was embraced by fans. While season 2 was a little more conventional, it received positive reviews, and the franchise's future looked bright.
However, the Netflix series has since become embroiled in claims that those working on the series have been disrespectful towards Andrzej Sapkowski's novels and the hit video games based on them. Spin-off series The Witcher: Blood Origin was a flop when it launched last December, and Henry Cavill is leaving the main show after the upcoming third season.
Liam Hemsworth will step in to replace the former Superman in season 4, and it's previously been reported that season 5 is going to be shot back-to-back with that.
While we still don't know whether that's where The Witcher is going to end, casting director Sophie Holland has confirmed those shooting rumours while talking to Deadline (via SFFGazette.com).
"We’re just about to start filming on season four with Liam Hemsworth and there will be a short gap then we go straight into season five," she tells the trade, finally clearing up the show's future after months of conflicting reports. A fifth season has never been officially announced by Netflix, though we're sure that news is somewhere on the horizon.
The Witcher is a big investment for Netflix, and with all streaming services looking to curb spending, it wouldn't be surprising for the plug to be pulled on the show after season 5. There was a time when it could have been one of the streamer's biggest properties, but interest has waned, something not helped by big gaps between seasons and Cavill's shock departure.
Of course, if Hemsworth's arrival breathes new life into the series and his two seasons are a hit, there's every chance The Witcher will remain on our screens for a long time to come.
The Witcher season 3 is coming to Netflix in two parts with the first five episodes set to premiere on June 29. The next three will then follow on July 27.