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Image: Netflix / Julia Nędzyńska – Behance
When it comes to big fantasy series, The Wizard it’s Netflix’s biggest to date and has been the template for how Netflix is expanding IP into multiple spin-offs and formats. After two spin-offs in the Witcherverse, Netflix is reportedly working on a new spinoff series that focuses on The Rats, a prominent gang within the Witcherverse that will appear in season 3 of the show. Here is the latest.
RedanianIntelligence (a frequent contributor to What’s on Netflix) was behind the first report in late November 2022 that Netflix was planning another spin-off set in their fantasy universe adapted from Andrzej Sapkowski’s books.
It would follow two other major spin-offs thus far, these being the well-received anime feature. The Witcher: Wolf’s Nightmare and the less well-received limited series The Witcher: Origin of Blood.
“We have learned that The Witcher’s upcoming live-action spin-off will explore the infamous group of young Nilfgaardian misfits called The Rats. In the books, The Rats appear in Ciri’s story when she joins them for a period of time.
In fact, Netflix is developing a project with the working title/codename RATS and it is believed to be filmed in South Africa and features numerous members of The Wizard personnel assigned to the project.
In February 2023, we got even more new details about the new project courtesy of DanielRPK Patreonwho posted the following short summary for the project, which is expected to be a new series:
“Six teenage thieves must rely on their criminal skills as they plan the biggest heist of their careers against the most dangerous criminal network in the kingdom”
He further mentions that the project now goes by the name “Riff Raff” and will be filmed between April and September 2023.
Netflix has yet to comment on the project officially.
Who are the rats in The Witcher?
The Rats will have a prominent role in season 3 of The Wizard.
By The Witcher Wiki on Fandom:
“The Rats were a young criminal gang in Geso who were known for robbing the wealthy to satisfy their own material needs, which included having the best horses, clothes, and accessories.”
You can find a great (long) breakdown of The Rats and their backstory and impact on 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 character description for him:
“Mistle is a member of The Rats, a gang of teenage misfits who steal from the rich and give it to themselves, and sometimes to the poor. She’s tough on the street, suspicious of everyone and out for revenge, until a chance meeting changes everything.”
Subsequent castings include Fabian McCallum as Kayleigh and Julliette Alexandra as Reef. Aggy K. Adams is believed to play the role of Iskra.
Christelle Elwin as Mistle in The Witcher
Among the other projects, Netflix has planned in The Wizard universe is another anime entry, a children’s animated entry, and seasons 3 and 4 of The Wizard, with the third season arriving in the summer of 2023.
