10 Characters From The Witcher That Deserved Better In Season 1

Netflix's The Witcher has many characters who are just plain lucky but there's a host of others that deserved so much better in season 1. Take a look.

The Witcher is already one of Netflix's hottest shows, racking up millions of views since it was first added to the streaming platform in December of 2019. Based on the series of novels by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski (and then popularized in North America by the video game series of the same name), The Witcher follows Geralt of Rivia, a half-man, half-mutant who spends his days working as a mercenary monster hunter.

Despite his outwardly gruff demeanor, Geralt has a heart of gold, which leads him to meet wizards, princes, princesses, and plenty of other characters who often add more trouble to his life. While many of these characters have great luck as they traverse the "Continent” (the mythical setting of the show), others do not. So, let’s take a look at the 10 characters from The Witcher that deserved better in Season 1.

10 Princess Ciri

Despite being the granddaughter of Queen Calanthe, Princess Ciri quickly loses the perks of her royal birth when her homeland is invaded. Thanks to a “Law of Surprise” pact made years earlier, Ciri is bound to Geralt of Rivia by fate. So, when she flees her homeland, she is forced into poverty and desolation in search of her new caretaker.

Thankfully, Ciri is not completely defenseless, as she does possess some magical abilities that can protect her in times of great distress. Nonetheless, Ciri gets the short end of the stick right from the start in Season 1.

9 Yennefer

While Yennefer eventually gets the beauty and power she has always craved, she spends the first half of Season 1 getting completely mistreated by everyone. First, a few of the locals beat her up just for being ugly and deformed. Then, her father treats her like a piece of garbage, eventually selling her to a mage for almost nothing.

Finally, the mage verbally abuses Yennefer until she is able to use her magic correctly. Once she gains everything that she always wanted, Yennefer finds that she is still unfulfilled. Even when she’s causing mayhem, viewers can’t help but feel bad for Yennefer.

8 Dara

Dara is a young elf boy who helps Ciri survive out in the wild. At first, he appears to be unable to speak, though it is later revealed that this is simply a defense mechanism.

In any case, Dara comes to Ciri’s rescue time and time again, though she shows very little regard for his safety or well-being. In the end, Dara gains almost nothing from his alliance with Ciri.

7 Mousesack

Mousesack works as Queen Calanthe’s right-hand man. However, upon Calanthe’s death, Mousesack must fight to survive and keep Ciri safe. Unfortunately, things don’t work out in his favor.

In fact, his likeness is used by a doppelganger creature to trick Ciri. Not only does this put her in harm’s way, but it also makes Mousesack look like a real jerk in the process. Season 1's Mousesack couldn’t be unluckier if he tried.

6 Queen Calanthe

Even though Queen Calanthe is one of the most powerful figures on the "Continent”, she couldn’t even survive the first season of The Witcher. She dies tragically, unable to defend her lands from foreign invaders.

To make matters worse, she must entrust her granddaughter and the future of the royal family to Geralt of Rivia.

5 Renfri

Renfri was born a princess, but her life was anything but easy. After discovering that she was a mutant with a penchant for violence, her family sent one of their men to kill her. She was able to kill him herself, but this forced her to flee her homeland and live on the road.

Overtime, Renfri’s bloodlust became a thing of legend. She would kill anyone who stood in her way. Despite his sympathy for her story, Geralt of Rivia knew that he had to stop Renfri from doing any further damage.

4 Vilgefortz

During the final battle of Season 1, Vilgefortz is left to fend for himself.

Even though he is able to unleash a great deal of damage, he was also hardly able to fight off the enemy on his own. In the end, he barely survived the onslaught.

3 Jaskier

The loveable, albeit slightly annoying Jaskier never gets the respect he deserves. His wit and common sense are generally overshadowed by his annoying habit of talking or singing when everybody just wants him to be quiet.

He tags alongside Geralt, but never quite ascends to the status of “friend”. Instead, Geralt constantly berates Jaskier for being foolish and lacking any useful skills.

2 Istredd

Istredd seems like a nice person at the beginning of Season 1. His love for Yennefer (even before she is “beautiful”) seems genuine.

Once his betrayal is revealed, Yennefer turns her back on her first love. However, Istredd was put in a very difficult position, pitting his true feelings for Yennefer against his obligations as a sorcerer.

1 Adda The White

In order to lift the curse and hopefully free Adda, Geralt must face the Striga and defeat it once and for all.