7 Villains Set Up For The Witcher Season 4

WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for The Witcher season 3, part 2.

Several potential The Witcher season 4 villains have been set up in season 3 between new and returning characters. The Witcher season 3’s finale is a significant moment for the show, not only because it concludes an important portion of the story, but because it was Henry Cavill’s final The Witcher episode. Liam Hemsworth will replace Henry Cavill as Geralt in season 4, meaning that the next season of The Witcher will have a different feel to it right from the start. In terms of the story, The Witcher season 4 can be both a new beginning for the show and a continuation of plotlines that have already been set up.

The Witcher season 3 covered the Thanedd coup, going from Yennefer and Ciri’s arrival at Aretuza to the battle between Vilgefortz and Geralt. Vilgefortz was The Witcher season 3’s villain all along, although the reveal only happened at the end of part 1. With The Witcher season 3, episode 8 concluding this chapter of Geralt’s story, here are seven villains set up for The Witcher season 4.

7 The Rats

While Ciri has just joined the Rats in The Witcher season 3’s finale, this group can be considered villains within the context of The Witcher season 4, depending on how the show frames them. During her time with the Rats in the books, Ciri goes through some of her most controversial moments, namely the fact that she often kills. One of The Witcher season 3’s main themes is how there is no going back after taking a life, a lesson Geralt tried to teach Ciri twice. Ciri spared Cahir’s life, yet she would soon kill someone in The Witcher season 3’s finale.

Ciri killing that bounty hunter at the bar sets up her divisive journey away from Geralt and Yennefer. The Rats have no problem with killing, and their influence risks steering away Ciri from the lessons Geralt and Yennefer taught her. Ciri’s visions at the Karath desert put her entire life in perspective, leading the Lion Cub of Cintra to relinquish her powers and walk a different path. One of the Rats’ members is also involved in a terrible moment involving Ciri in the books. How exactly The Witcher season 4 will adapt Ciri’s time with the Rats is difficult to say.

6 Eredin & The Wild Hunt

The Wild Hunt appeared on the show for the first time in The Witcher season 2’s finale, when it was revealed that the Voleth Meir witch was actually a member of the mysterious group of ghost-like riders from another dimension. The Witcher season 2 did not get into detail about the Wild Hunt, suggesting that the specter horsemen would return in future seasons. The Wild Hunt is a crucial part of The Witcher’s lore, although they play a much more significant role in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt game than in the novels. The Wild Hunt returned in The Witcher season 3, but they were quickly defeated by Geralt.

Of course, Geralt’s brief interaction with the Wild Hunt in The Witcher season 3 is only the beginning of what could be an extensive storyline. As a live-action The Witcher adaptation that borrows from both the books and the games, Netflix’s The Witcher could have the Wild Hunt as villains for season 4 and beyond. It is important to remember that the Wild Hunt’s origin story in Netflix’s The Witcher universe is different from the games and the novels. The Witcher: Blood Origin gave Eredin and the Wild Hunt new origins, which may also change the reason why they are looking for Ciri.

5 Emhyr var Emreis

While the White Flame has been in Netflix’s The Witcher since season 1, the show has only now started to follow the Emperor of Nilfgaard as a main villain. Ciri’s father was introduced to audiences in The Witcher season 1, but the twist regarding his real role in the story was saved for later. The Witcher season 2’s finale revealed that Ciri’s father was alive and that he was Emhyr var Emreis, the White Flame. The Witcher season 3 finally got to follow Emhyr as a villain, with the character slowly revealing bits of his plans for Ciri and the Continent. However, Emhyr’s story is far from over.

Related: THAT White Flame Twist Means The Witcher’s Messed-Up Ciri Stories Are Still Possible

The Thanedd coup played in favor of the White Flame, who always perceived the Brotherhood of Sorceress as a threat to his plans, especially after the Battle of Sodden Hill. In addition, the fact that Aplegatt died before he could deliver Dijkstra’s message about Nilfgaard’s plans set up the perfect scenario for the White Flame to wage war against the Northern Kingdoms. A second war between the North and Nilfgaaard has begun, setting up an even bigger role for Emhyr in The Witcher season 4. In addition, the arrival of Fake Ciri at Nilfgaard hints at Emhyr’s twisted plan for Ciri, although it’s unclear whether the show will change it.

4 Vilgefortz

Vilgefortz was the main antagonist of The Witcher season 3 after having relatively small roles in seasons 1 and 2. However, Vilgefortz essentially won in The Witcher season 3, as he achieved almost every goal he had. The Brotherhood of Sorceress is all but gone after the Thanedd coup, the Witcher could not protect Ciri and was easily defeated by Vilgefortz, and a fake Ciri has been brought in front of the White Flame. In other words, Vilgefortz’s plan is still in motion, and the sorcerer will likely return in The Witcher season 4. Yennefer even described Vilgefortz as the most powerful sorcerer currently out there.

Related: What Happened To Vilgefortz’s Face In The Witcher Season 3 Episode 8 – Why He Looks Like That

In addition, The Witcher is expected to have a rematch between Geralt and Vilgefortz at some point based on what happens in the books. Considering that the show often changes the novels’ timeline and chronology of events, The Witcher might compress Vilgefortz’s story and have the rematch between him and Geralt already in season 4. Regardless, Vilgefortz, who now has a scar on his face, is reunited with Emhyr at Nilfgaard after delivering “Fake Ciri” to the White Flame.

3 Morteisen

Assuming that The Witcher season 4 will draw inspiration from Baptism of Fire, the show’s next major battle could be the Battle for the Bridge on the Yaruga. The events of this battle are what make Geralt officially into “Geralt of Rivia” and could be one of the most important moments for Liam Hemsworth’s run as Geralt, which starts in season 4. The group consisting of Geralt, Jaskier, and Milva has been formed already at the end of The Witcher season 3, further suggesting this battle will happen. Morteisen led the forces of Daerlan, a region loyal to Nilfgaard, into the Battle for the Bridge.

2 Philippa Eilhart

Philippa Eilhart joined The Witcher in season 2 as a sorceress who now worked with Dijkstra as part of King Vizimir II’s court. Philippa had a bigger role in season 3, during which she and Dijkstra tried to anticipate Nilfgaard’s moves and expose the Brotherhood’s traitor. Philippa is not a villain in The Witcher books, nor was she exactly a villain in The Witcher season 3. That said, Philippa ordered the assassination of King Vizimir II, making it easier for her and Dikstra to control Redania in the war to come through Radovid. The Witcher season 4 could make Philippa more of a villain, especially if it borrows from the games.

1 Francesca Findabair

Francesca Findabair is already an important character in Netflix’s The Witcher, but her story became even more tragic in season 3. After losing her newborn child at the end of The Witcher season 2, Francesca lost her brother and her husband in The Witcher season 3. Francesca’s role in Baptism of Fire arguably would not fit into The Witcher season 4, as season 3’s finale seems to have already formed its version of the Lodge of Sorceresses. That said, Francesca is still after revenge, and she could be an antagonist in the stories of not only one but multiple The Witcher season 4 characters.