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 opened up about the criticism surrounding Netflix’s fantasy hit while explaining her creative approach to the final two seasons.
“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.” She emphasized the importance of honoring the source material and distanced the series from *Game of Thrones*’ controversial choice to move beyond its original novels.
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.” The upcoming Seasons 4 and 5, filmed back-to-back, will adapt Andrzej Sapkowski’s remaining novels: *Baptism of Fire*, *The Tower of the Swallow*, and *Lady of the Lake*.
“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 explained. “We can’t choose one audience. We have to remember what we are doing, which is a television show.” Hissrich highlighted that successful 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.”
Netflix’s early renewal for Seasons 4 and 5 gave the creative team the opportunity to “write ourselves to that particular ending,” she said, ensuring a well-planned conclusion.
“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.”
https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/2052595-the-witcher-series-show-backlash-lauren-schmidt-hissrich