Picture: Netflix / Julia Nędzyńska – Behance
When it comes to big fantasy series, The Witcher is Netflix’s biggest to date and has been the template for how Netflix is expanding IP across multiple spin-offs and formats. Now, Netflix is reportedly working on a new spin-off that focuses on The Rats, a prominent gang within the Witcherverse that will feature in season 3 of the show.
RedanianIntelligence (a frequent contributor to What’s on Netflix) is behind the new report that Netflix is planning another spin-off set into its fantasy universe adapted from the books by Andrzej Sapkowski.
“We have learned that the next live-action spinoff of The Witcher will explore the infamous group of young Nilfgaardian misfits called The Rats. In the books, The Rats are featured in Ciri’s storyline as she joins them for a period of time.”
Indeed a project under the working/codename title RATS is in development at Netflix and is thought to be filmed in South Africa and has numerous members of The Witcher crew attached to the project.
Netflix has yet to comment on the project officially.
Who are The Rats in The Witcher?
The Rats will feature strongly in season 3 of The Witcher.
Per The Witcher wiki on Fandom:
“The Rats was a young gang of criminals in Geso that was known for stealing from the rich to satisfy their own material wants, which included having the best horses, clothing, and accessories.”
You can find an excellent (lengthy) breakdown of The Rats and their backstory and impact in the books via Scarlett Sunday on YouTube below:
In April 2022, Netflix announced the first member of The Rats, Christelle Elwin, who will play the role of Mistle. Here’s the official description for her character:
“Mistle is a member of The Rats, a gang of misfit teenagers who steal from the rich and give to themselves – and sometimes the poor. She is street hard, suspicious of everyone and out for revenge, until a chance meeting that will change everything.”
Subsequent castings include Fabian McCallum as Kayleigh and Julliette Alexandra as Reef. Aggy K. Adams is thought to be playing the role of Iskra.
Among the other projects, Netflix has planned in The Witcher universe is another anime entry, a kids title (which could be rats), The Witcher: Blood Origin (coming in December 2022), and seasons 3 and 4 of The Witcher, with the third season coming next summer.
