Always a Witch

Lore & Background

In Always a Witch, Carmen Eguiluz (Angely Gaviria) is a powerful witch and slave in 1646 colonial Colombia. Accused of witchcraft by the Inquisition, she is imprisoned and set to burn at the stake. While awaiting execution, she makes a deal with the wizard Aldemar, gaining the ability to time-travel to 2019 in exchange for a favor. However, she cannot use magic in the present, as it would alert the evil wizard Lucien to her presence.

The series is set both in the 17th-century and present-day Cartagena. The main cast includes Angely Gaviria as Carmen, Dylan Fuentes as her best friend Johnny Ki, Sofia Bernal Araujo as Alicia, Valeria Henríquez as Mayte, Carlos Quintero as León, and Lenard Vanderaa as Cristobal De Aranoa, Carmen's lover in 1646. The first season of 10 episodes premiered on Netflix on February 19, 2019, and a second season aired worldwide on February 28, 2020.

The show has been dubbed in English for English-speaking audiences. Its reception was mixed, with some critics praising the strong black female lead character, while others criticized the enslaved/enslaver romance and the lead character's willingness to return to the 1600s to be with her enslaver's son.

Reader's Guide

Always a Witch is significant as a Colombian fantasy series that centers on a black female protagonist, Carmen Eguiluz, who navigates both colonial oppression and modern life. The show's premise—a witch and slave from 1646 time-traveling to 2019—allows it to explore themes of race, freedom, and identity across centuries. Its direct-to-series order by Netflix and international release (with an English dub) reflect the growing global reach of Latin American streaming content.

The series' legacy is shaped by its mixed critical reception. While it was praised for featuring a strong black female lead, it also drew criticism for romanticizing a relationship between an enslaved woman and her enslaver's son, and for the protagonist's choice to return to slavery in the past. These controversies highlight ongoing debates in media about representation and historical accuracy. The show ran for two seasons, concluding in 2020, and remains a notable example of Colombian genre television on a global platform.

Did You Know?

• The series was ordered direct-to-series by Netflix.
• The first season premiered on Netflix on February 19, 2019.
• The show is dubbed in English for English speakers.
• The second season aired worldwide on February 28, 2020.

Series Architecture & Production Timeline

The Witcher is a fantasy drama television series created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich for Netflix, adapted from the Polish book series authored by Andrzej Sapkowski. Set in a fictional medieval-inspired landmass called the Continent, the show traces the intertwined legends of Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Princess Ciri. The series debuted on December 20, 2019, with a first season of eight episodes drawn from The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny, two collections of short stories that precede the main saga. Season two, released December 17, 2021, adapted the novel Blood of Elves, while season three, split into two volumes on June 29 and July 27, 2023, followed Time of Contempt. Each season maintains a consistent eight-episode structure. Henry Cavill portrayed Geralt through the first three seasons before Liam Hemsworth assumed the role for season four, based on Baptism of Fire, which premiered October 30, 2025. In April 2024, Netflix renewed the series for a fifth and final season, cementing its long-term commitment to Sapkowski's world.

Narrative Engine & Thematic Core

At the heart of the series lies a narrative architecture built around three protagonists—Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer—whose stories begin at different points in time before converging into a single timeline. The emotional and plot-driven engine is the Law of Surprise: before Ciri was even born, Geralt unknowingly invoked this ancient rule to claim her as his reward for services rendered, forging a bond of destiny that neither can escape. Once they finally meet, Geralt assumes the role of protector, tasked with shielding the young princess from the many factions hunting her. The central conflict revolves around Ciri's Elder Blood gene, a hereditary trait capable of granting her immense magical abilities that various powers seek to exploit for malevolent ends. Yennefer, a quarter-elf sorceress and Geralt's closest ally, anchors the trio's emotional core. Together, the three must navigate a world where political ambition, sorcerous power, and ancient prophecy collide, forcing them to fight not only for Ciri's survival but for the safety of their entire world.

Ensemble Cast & Character Breadth

The series features a remarkably broad ensemble spanning multiple kingdoms, races, and political factions. Henry Cavill carried the lead through seasons one to three before Liam Hemsworth took over for season four, both portraying Geralt as a magically enhanced monster hunter. Anya Chalotra brings depth to Yennefer, while Freya Allan embodies Ciri, also known by the alias Falka. The supporting cast is equally layered: Eamon Farren plays Cahir, the Nilfgaardian Black Knight who leads the invasion of Cintra; Joey Batey appears as Jaskier, a traveling bard who becomes Geralt's companion; and MyAnna Buring portrays Tissaia de Vries, Yennefer's mentor at Aretuza. Later seasons introduce Graham McTavish as Sigismund Dijkstra, head of Redanian Intelligence; Bart Edwards as Duny and Emperor Emhyr, Ciri's father; and Laurence Fishburne as Emiel Regis, a mysterious vampire in season four. The breadth of characters—from elven queens to the street-criminal gang known as the Rats—gives the Continent a lived-in, politically complex texture.

Expanded Universe & Supplementary Storytelling

Beyond the main television series, The Witcher franchise has grown into a multi-format universe spanning animation, prequels, and feature-length specials. The animated origin story film Nightmare of the Wolf premiered on August 23, 2021, offering a darker, more personal look at Geralt's past. A prequel miniseries titled Blood Origin followed on December 25, 2022, expanding the lore of the Continent's deeper history. In February 2025, the second animated film Sirens of the Deep arrived, continuing the franchise's investment in animated storytelling. On the same day as season four's release—October 30, 2025—the feature-length special The Rats: A Witcher Tale debuted, giving the young street-criminal gang first encountered in the series their own standalone narrative. This layered approach, combining live-action seasons with animated films and supplementary stories, allows the franchise to explore different corners of Sapkowski's world and introduce new characters and settings to broader audiences.