Netflix has tried its luck on countless genres, especially as it tastes success with its latest live-action adaptation of One Piece. Yet, it came off slightly on the backs of a butchered saga of one of its most epic fantasy series. The very show which saw itself brushing shoulders with comparisons to HBO’s Game of Thrones, is now set for a massive transition with its upcoming season 4. At the center of it, the pivotal character played by Anya Chalotra is to be in the spotlight as she cushions the damage to The Witcher fanbase.

However, the immensely successful actress once had a pessimistic outlook regarding her presence in the show.

Anya Chalotra “didn’t think” she would last more than a day on The Witcher

Portraying the powerful sorceress, Yennefer of Vengerberg, the British actress enthralled and stole her scenes gracefully. The actress starred opposite the then-lead, Henry Cavill in Netflix’s The Witcher, as Geralt’s love interest and the driver of many sub-plots. Furthermore, her character arc has now outlived even that of Cavill after the events of season three. Despite such a stellar outlook, Anya Chalotra did not expect such longevity. In an interview with the Telegraph from July 2023, the actress revealed that she was not hopeful of “going to get through the first day of filming.”

The reason for her then-dismissive outlook was the sheer scale of the show and her feeling “overwhelmed.” The Londoner was a theater actress, and The Witcher was her first big project. Furthermore, Chalotra had never read Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher books, which led to a heightened unfamiliarity. Thus, initially, she found it “nerve-wracking” to do justice to the character while starring opposite Hollywood A-lister, Henry Cavill. Regardless of her apprehensions, the outcome is now at large a personal success.

However, now might be a time for Chalotra to live up to her name as the show looks to put behind season 3’s misfortunes and stitch its fandom back.

A new Geralt awaits Yennefer as the Netflix fantasy undergoes a litmus test

Season three of The Witcher registered Netflix history with its last two episodes as the worst-rated ever in the series. Furthermore, the show’s divergence from the source, too many sub-plots, and side-lining of Geralt did not go down well with the fans. Thus, out went Henry Cavill, and in swooped Liam Hemsworth as his replacement. Now, Yennefer, who left behind Geralt and Ciri at the end of season 3, will face a mind-bender with her altered Geralt.

Regardless, magic and the multiverse may explain Yennefer the change. While season three’s somber (and sober) ending sees Geralt fading off the horizon, season four will bring him back to the main role. Although, not as Yennefer or we know him. However, viewers would need some solid portrayal from Hemsworth to be deemed a good enough replacement for Cavill. Additionally, the actor has a lot of work to do to lift the show out of a fading viewership.

What are your views on Anya Chalotra in The Witcher? Let us know in the comments below.