Lauren Schmidt Hissrich recently reflected on the challenges of leading one of Netflix’s biggest fantasy series, addressing both creative pressures and fan reactions as The Witcher nears its conclusion. The showrunner discussed her approach to adaptation, balancing audience expectations, and ensuring the story ends on its own terms.
Lauren Schmidt Hissrich on backlash towards The Witcher series
In an interview with Dexerto, The Witcher showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich discussed the criticism surrounding Netflix’s fantasy series while explaining her creative approach to its final two seasons.
She said the show would not repeat Game of Thrones’ mistake of moving beyond its source material. “We’re not going to go past the books,” Hissrich confirmed. “We lean so hardcore into fantasy at the end in wonderful ways that Sapkowski introduced us to. So we knew the stories that we needed to end with.”
Hissrich described wrapping up The Witcher with Season 5 as “an enormous celebration,” adding, “A lot of TV shows don’t get the chance to do five seasons.” Both upcoming seasons, filmed back-to-back, will adapt Andrzej Sapkowski’s remaining novels — Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake.
Speaking to Dexerto, Hissrich also addressed ongoing fan backlash regarding deviations from the books and games. “You have book fans, you have video game fans, and then you have fans that knew nothing about this world until the show existed,” she said. “We can’t choose one audience. We have to remember what we are doing, which is a television show.”
She explained that adaptation requires narrative cohesion. “You have to start to weave them together. You have to understand how these adventures lead our characters to be where they are meant to be.” She added that Netflix’s early renewal for Seasons 4 and 5 let the team “write ourselves to that particular ending.”
“The books still exist,” Hissrich concluded. “No one is taking the books away. No one is taking the video games away. I think everyone can have their version of The Witcher and this is this version.”
