The Witcher: ‘Very confusing' Star details huge last-minute change to characters

The Witcher (played by Henry Cavill) has a tough journey ahead of him as he jumps into the first series of the Netflix show with a number of challenges at his feet. Perhaps the most important aspect of his life is the supposed responsibility he holds for Ciri (Freya Allan).

After a shocking event with the Law of Surprise in one of the show’s earlier episodes, Geralt is destined to be with Ciri forever.

But as the story progresses, it seems like things will not be as easy as they look to keep Ciri safe.

Geralt was almost looking after an entirely different iteration of Ciri, it was recently revealed, as Ciri was almost played by someone entirely different.

Siri star Freya was always involved in the show, but she was originally set to play Marilka – the young girl featured in episode one of the show.

Speaking to Digital Spy, the actor explained how the entire audition process was “very confusing” leading up to her getting the role.

READ MORE: The Witcher showrunner reveals huge element cut from Netflix series – fans won’t be happy

Freya explained: “I must admit, I never quite knew what was going on.

“Or what was the truth, or what character I really was going up for, or what character – whether there were code names for characters.”

She continued by adding: “I never really knew what was happening.”

Freya explained she was told she was Marilka, until the casting director, Sophie Holland, spoke to Lauren Schmidt Hissrich – the showrunner.

“Sophie Holland, the casting director, said to [Lauren]: ‘I really think you should consider her for Ciri’ – even though they were looking for younger people than me.”

Freya continued: “So, I found out I got Marilka. The next day, they called me up saying, ‘[Alik Sakharov], who’s the director, and Lauren, the showrunner, are coming with some producers from LA to London to see me for Ciri’.”

The following day Freya learned she had received the role but was instantly confused as to whether she had achieved two roles.

She concluded by adding: “I got there in the end. I’m Ciri, not Marilka.”

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Marilka went on to be played by Mia McKenna-Bruce – who did a brilliant job as well.

Recently, Express.co.uk caught up with showrunner Lauren and artist for the franchise Tomek Baginski to discuss the changes between the books, the video games, and the show.

On whether the show will eventually move on from the books, Lauren said: “No, I mean, you know, what we’re trying not to do is to borrow from the video game plots.

“We’re not trying to do a bunch of side quests, we’re trying to stick to the source material.”

The games obviously include a number of incredible side quests which make up a lot of the games’ features.

Lauren confessed she had to make some changes, though, in order to bring in huge characters earlier – such as Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), and Ciri herself.

She went on: “That being said, to make the source material work for us, then we do have to add new things in occasionally.”

The Witcher is available on Netflix now.

source: express.co.uk