The Witcher’s Netflix producer blames young American viewers for the simplification of the plot

Netflix’s adaptation of The Witcher has aroused a lot of criticism. The series starring Henry Cavill (at least, up until season 3, being substituted in the next one by Liam Hemsworth), has strayed from the books on more than one occasion, so not everyone is happy with the direction of the series. Tomek Baginski, one of its executive producers, has revealed in statements to Wyborcza (via Redanian Intelligence) that some of these decisions were made taking into account that the product was going to be consumed both by North Americans and by a generation born with TikTok and YouTube under their arms.

“There are a lot of understandable reasons why controversial decisions are made, but the viewer does not have this context, so sometimes it hurts because something was better in the book,” he has argued. For example, an actor’s illness may force the script to change at any given time.

These are the reasons why Netflix’s The Witcher has been simplified

Tomek Baginski recalled his attempt to create Hardkor 44, a science fiction product based on the Warsaw Uprising: “there was an uprising against Germany, but the Russians were across the river, and on the German side there were also soldiers from Hungary or Ukraine. For Americans, it was completely incomprehensible, too complicated, because they grew up in a different historical context, where everything was arranged: America is always good, the rest are the bad guys. And there are no complications.”

According to the producer, the simplification of the plots is due to the fact that it has been designed for a wide and heterogeneous audience. “When a series is made for a huge mass of viewers, with different experiences, from different parts of the world, and a large part of them are Americans, these simplifications not only make sense, they are necessary. It’s painful for us, and for me too,” he added, pointing out that the greater the complexity and nuances, the less possibility of reaching this massive audience. “Sometimes it may go too far, but we have to make these decisions and accept them.”

Baginski also pointed out that audiences have changed, especially because of the way they consume content. “Those people grew up on TikTok and YouTube, they jump from video to video.”

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Will there be more seasons of The Witcher after season 4?

We already know that The Witcher will continue on Netflix for a fourth season, starting now with Liam Hemsworth playing the titular Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. But will there be more episodes after? Despite the mess with the writers and actors strike, the casting director of the series made it clear that It’s in their plans: “We are going to start shooting the fourth season with Liam Hemsworth and there will be a little gap later. Then we’ll go directly to season five.”

The first three seasons of The Witcher are now available on Netflix.