Netflix’s adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s novel The Witcher has always remained controversial. Fans who are well-versed in the original texts did not like how the writers deviated the show from the source. In fact, when the news about Henry Cavill exiting the show came out, fans tossed around similar theories on the internet. Many believed that the actor left The Witcher because he did not agree with all these changes in the adaptation. Now, when those debates seem to settle down, the producer has spilled the real reason behind this decision of deviating from the books.

In his latest interview with Wyborcza, The Witcher executive producer, Tomasz Bagiński, discussed the show extensively. He also took this opportunity to address the changes they have made to source material. The Polish illustrator revealed that their team has worked hard to adapt parts of stories that would fit right for viewers. But the changes in the show involve several reasons, including the production and viewers coming from various parts of the world. 

The executive producer gave an example of one of his past projects, Hardkor 44, where he tried to explain the context of war involving people from diverse backgrounds. Bagiński then pointed out how the American audience failed to grasp that whole creation, considering they have read and heard a different side of history. “And a large part of them are Americans, these simplifications not only make sense, they are necessary,” quoted the 47-year-old.

He said that it is painful for them too to do these modifications. However, they have no choice because they want to attract more viewers instead of the only people who know the books.

The Witcher producer aims to attract young generations 

In 2021, Tomasz Bagiński did an interview for the Polish audience, which was published on the YouTube channel Imponderabilia. During this interview, he was asked about the viewers’ response to season 2. The Oscar-nominated director stated that they have resigned from “cause-and-effect chains from linear narration”. 

They did this because the younger fandom who follows this show will not understand the whole logic books offer. They only connect with the emotional depiction of the characters. So if they go along with the original novels completely, this generation will not watch the show. For them, it would become more complex and time-consuming, which does not go with their fast TikTok trends.

What do you think about Bagiński’s take on changes in the fantasy drama? Drop your comments below.