This is what you want to know now about the new Netflix series The Witcher

Yes, be jealous: I was one of the lucky few who got to see The Witcher in advance. Yes, that jealousy is justified. This series is definitely one you want to see. Fortunately, the wait for you won't be too long, because it will be online on December 20. All eight episodes, so I still have three to go – oh yes. They each last about an hour, so really take a moment to sit down for it.

Now I have to honestly say that Game of Thrones never really captivated me, so whether this can fill your Game of Thrones void, I don't know. But that The Witcher is addictive, that I do know. I chatted a bit with Freya Allan (Ciri) and Anya Chalotra (Yennefer) about the upcoming season and have a little spoiler here and there. Just read along.

What do you need to know about The Witcher if you don't know the series?

Freya: ‘The series follows Ciri, who is a princess, Yennefer is a witch, and Geralt is The Witcher. You see The Continent (the world in which The Witcher takes place – ed.) through their eyes. It's mainly fantasy, so lots of monsters, elves, many adventures, and many fight scenes. But amidst all that, it also has moments of silence and calm. So you have those intense fight scenes where you're on the edge of your seat, and alongside that, you also have intense scenes with one character. There are certainly parallels with the real world, so hopefully, you can also recognize yourself in the characters and the world of The Witcher.’

And, have you read the books? 

Anya: ‘Yes, when I was cast for this role, I immediately picked up the books because I knew the series would be based on them. Just before filming, I read the two short stories again, because that's what the first season is based on. I found it difficult to read during filming because in the series we also explore Yennefer's background, which doesn't occur in the book. So during filming, I didn't really read anymore, but I did try the game. Tried, yes, because I was so bad at it. I really can't handle a game console.’

The difference between the series and the book? 

Freya: ‘Mainly that there are different characters. For Ciri's story, there is an important character: Dara. She does not appear in the books. And so they have created more extra characters for the series, so that is quite a big change.‘

SPOILER: Yennefer undergoes a major physical transformation in the first episodes, how was it to be so different in one role? 

Anya: ‘I hope they are not really two different characters, because that was my biggest fear while playing. I had to play a character from her fourteenth to her seventieth year, and of course, I had help from prosthetics and the costume department, so that helped a lot. But this was my biggest challenge as an actor, to really focus and work hard to reach a place where Yennefer's thoughts and reactions are my own; that was very important to me. I wanted the whole transformation process to come across as organic.’

Season 2 has even been announced, what are you hoping for? 

Anya: ‘I am very excited for Ciri, she has such a fantastic adventure in season 2. Hopefully, Yennefer and Ciri will meet, I have no idea what else happens, but I am really looking forward to that moment.’