Without the need for a previous love of fantasy shows or the video game series, it’s easy to get lost in the realm of The Witcher. Multiple timelines, magical creatures, a cheeky bard with catchy tunes, and of course, Henry Cavill, make it very easy to slip into “nerd culture” without even realising. And so, it came as a shock to many when it was announced earlier this year that Henry Cavill would be stepping away from his titular role, with Liam Hemsworth set to take over the part.

As volume one of the show’s third season airs from today, fans are treated to Cavill’s final few performances in the platinum haired role. But before the mystical mages could return to Aretuza, MyAnna Buring (Tissaia) and Therica Wilson Read (Sabrina) chatted to Hot Press about the new season and what fans can expect going forward.

Both Tissaia and Sabrina are strong female characters in a fantasy world, where historically, women haven’t held roles of much power - is this something important for both actresses?

“Always,” Therica stated. “I think it's so important to show strong female characters, all with different traits and different personalities. It's a testament to Lauren (Schmidt Hissrich) and the writers that she brings out all those different personalities and all those different characters.”

“Now, I have this theory,” MyAnna proposed, “I think we differentiate too much, I actually think they're way more similar similarities between male and females, than there are differences actually.

“I think when you write characters, you just write fully rounded characters, three dimensional characters who, you know, within themselves hold the juxtapositions of life, which all of us have. As soon as you write like that, then you have interesting characters, not only to play, but also to watch. I hope they keep doing that on The Witcher. There’s absolutely nothing drabber than to have someone play a certain type... It's incredibly dull. And also, it's just not true to life at all.”

As this eye-opening conversation leaves much to think about, the pair turn to what this season will bring for these two powerful mages of The Witcher world.

“For Tissaia, we meet her at a point when she is still really trying to balance the Brotherhood's needs, wants, desires; the kingdom’s, the king’s and queen’s needs, wants and desires, with Aretuza; and with chaos, while also looking after the needs of her mages - while also keeping a watchful eye on Yennefer from afar,” MyAnna teased. “I think she feels in the very beginning that she has a certain amount of control and she's enjoying parts of what she's doing quite a lot. But she will face some of her most extreme challenges in the season. So, it was a lot of fun to play.

Courtesy of Netflix

“And for Sabrina,” Therica chimed in, “I think that this is the season where you see her the most confident, the fieriest, the most provocative, the sexiest, and probably the most cutting. But you also see a really nice juxtaposition of a vulnerable side when she's in like a life-threatening situation. You see the consequences of certain betrayals and how she really feels about that. I think you get a bit of everything with Sabrina this season, which is really exciting, and, of course, really fun to play.”

Throughout previous seasons, plus during the ‘Blood Origin’ spinoff, while the series writers have stayed consistent, there is a continuous swapping over of directors. Navigating your characters story line can be difficult enough without switching up directors for each episode - so how did the two manage?

“I think every director we have does have different styles and it also complements what we're doing at that time,” Therica revealed. “For example, we had Loni, and he was doing, you know, a big ball scene and there were a tonne of people in that scene, and he was phenomenal at that. And then we had Bola, who took things in a different direction.

“I think every director is picked to complement what the script is saying and what the episode wants to say. Even though they have different styles, they're all unbelievable to work with - they've done their research, they know your characters, they take time to listen to you, and they create a really lovely environment on set. It's just a pleasure working with every single director. It's fun to have a new director and a fresh face. It brings a fresh energy.”

“It keeps you on your toes,” MyAnna added. “I think it's quite a lot of sustained energy to keep going through this number of episodes. It's sort of interesting as well to watch how four different directors approach the material in different ways, and it definitely keeps us alert.”

As the seasons roll on, we see MyAnna’s character, Tissaia, turn from a stern teacher to someone who could be seriously considered a ‘baddie’. Creatively, this transition could be considered a challenge for Buring, but that’s not how she sees it.

MyAnna Buring in The Witcher - courtesy of Netflix

“I think it's great,” the actress laughed. “I don't think you have to be liked all the time, either. I think that’s the difference, right? You don’t have to be liked to be a morally good character, nor do I feel a need to play morally good characters, necessarily. It's all about the story and the world and the challenges that any character brings up that I find exciting. My main ‘thing’ is that I like variety – I don’t like to play one type. People close to me are a bit surprised that I seem to pull off playing really moody, sour, strong, almost fierce characters - I don't think I realised how good I am at sort of yelling in sharp, short bursts. What I mean to say is – this role has proven to me once and for all that: yeah, that's something that comes quite naturally to me when I'm acting, but in my real life it's quite different to how I am so, I like it.

“I always knew that Tissaia had this motherly relationship that would develop with Yennefer, but with the way the scenes were written, it was very clear that she was coming from a place of tough love. That can come across as mean, sometimes even cruel, but she hasn't got time to sugar-coat things."

MyAnna justified: "She needs her mages to learn quickly to prove themselves worthy of remaining in Aretuza, to work for the kingdoms to represent Aretuza and all the needs of the Brotherhood. She's a character who, very early on, has employed this approach in her life and, really, that's why she is great fun to play. I particularly love her strict, solemn approach where, you know, one little look could make a flower wither... Am I like that in real life?”

Her fellow mage responded, laughing: “Only a little. No, no, no, I’m only joking. She's like a ray of sunshine. She's honestly a pillar of strength and she is also like a mom on set. MyAnna has such a wonderful energy, such a calming energy. I think that people feel really safe in your (her) presence. Everyone just feels like, they can be exactly how they are.”

As their leading cast member prepares to step away from the show, it seems the team are grateful for the casting that has led them to this point. To see an original cast member leave after such a long time must be incredibly difficult for all involved, for as the two pointed out, the cast and crew are like a family.

“It is a family," Therica put simply. "I say that a lot, but it is! We call our team ‘The Witcher family’ because everyone just wants the best for each other, on and off set. We all meet up off set, you know, it's an absolute joy to come to set and work with people that you class as your best friends, people that you love dearly. It's definitely the people that make the show, and that's a testament to Lauren and Sophie Holland and everyone in the cast and crew, they’re brilliant people to work with - brilliant people full stop."

“We feel very, very lucky,” MyAnna emphasised. “I mean, Sophie Holland has a policy of ensuring she casts people who get on very well together, people who come with a positive attitude. You sense it on set, you can feel it, it really pays off - and it makes a huge difference to our working day. Also, the crew that comes on board are always amazing. We've met the most talented people in the industry and have had the privilege of working with fantastic people from costume, hair, makeup, camera, lighting, sound, art, etc. I mean, it's really exceptional. We've been very, very, very lucky.”

Although there have been rumours circulating for a while that Henry’s departure has sprung from longstanding creative differences with the writers, was it still a shock to the cast and crew when it became official?

“It was a surprise, but I think, it makes sense… in the way that fantasy characters, throughout the history of film and television, have always been played by different actors, so, it makes sense that that baton gets passed on to someone new,” MyAnna commented. “We all feel enormous gratitude that it was Henry who was the first TV series Witcher, and that he came and created this character that helped reach out to the fan base that already existed and to a new fan base and did so wonderfully and beautifully. Now it's going to be really exciting that he's passing the baton on to another actor to do the same.

“I think we're all really happy for him as well, because, when you make choices in your career, they're what's right for you, and I think he's done such a great job on the show that there's nothing to be sad about - there are just things to feel celebratory about. I think Liam is going to come on board and really enjoy himself, have the best time, and do a fantastic job.”

With Hemsworth stepping up as the next Witcher from season four, are the two hopeful their characters will re-emerge?

“We love our characters,” Therica gleefully confirmed. “Obviously, the show is about Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer, but, you know, we do love our characters. We like them popping up. We’d happily do a little side show for Tissaia and Sabrina.”

Courtesy of Netflix

“I think that's a great idea along with The Witcher musical,” MyAnna laughed. “Basically, this entire press junket has been amazing because we've come up with so many ideas! We’re gonna go to Laura and see if we can sell her any of them to her.

It wouldn’t be The Witcher if it wasn’t a season full of action, fight scenes, magic, and so on… or as MyAnna joked: “it’s actually quite boring, isn’t it?

“It's wild," the actresses added. "In the 20 years that I’ve worked in this industry, some of the sets we were filming on for specific scenes this season were insane. I would look around and go: 'I have never seen anything like this. Never in my career.' So, yeah, there's a lot to be excited for."

…and the two most definitely had a definitive favourite scene to film from this volume.

“I think we've got the same answer for the same episode,” Therica stated. The two counted down to revealing their answer: “Three, two, one… Episode five!”

“If you haven't seen it, you’ll see why,” MyAnna teased.

“Having everyone together was so nice,” Therica added. “Acting with people that you hadn't necessarily shared scenes with before and having the most incredible supporting artists was indescribable. And we had the most wonderful dancers who were phenomenal. It was just so nice.”

From wild scenery to fun facts, MyAnna and Therica gave us the scoop on what really happens behind the SFX, battles, and magic of the show.

“We have some fun facts,” MyAnna giggled. “Cassie Clare is a phenomenal singer and dancer,” Therica pitched in. “Behind the scenes, she would be teaching people dance steps and moves - which was great fun.” MyAnna followed up with: “The Aretuza lot are the most fun – but I may be biased. There's always great banter, and there's always great care shown between everyone.”

Anna Shaffer has the “most incredible singing voice” according to the two, with MyAnna taking a moment to gush over her style as well. “She'll rock up to work and you'll just be like: ‘How do you look like that?’ These outfits that she just throws together, she just chucks the clothes on and she looks like something that's fallen out of Vogue.”
Buring continues on to compliment Safiyya Inger, who plays Keira Metz, saying: “if you ever want anyone to teach you any lightsabre movements, you go to them.”

According to Therica: “Mahesh (Jadu) is honestly like a man of like the earth and everything spiritual. He's got the most calming presence. I remember in season one he gave me this special piece of wood that is meant to cleanse your space and your aura. You have an ailment; you go to Mahesh basically.”

Adding a few more comments before admitting there’s too many facts to share, MyAnna hurriedly commented: “And Lars Mikkelsen!! Behind the scenes he’ll walk around learning passages from Hamlet - he's that cool. Mimi (Ndiweni) has the best humour. Eamon Farren is sunshine. He's like born incarnate sunshine. I mean, we can go on.”

The Witcher season three, volume one, is available to stream now on Netflix, with volume two coming on July 27.