Netflix’s The Witcher Showrunner Goes on Twitter Hiatus Following Fan Backlash Over Ciri!
Jorge Arenas
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Netflix’s The Witcher showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich has gone on a Twitter hiatus following fan backlash after it was revealed the show was looking to race-swap the lead role of Ciri with a BAME (Black, Asian, or Ethnic Minority) actress.
Hissrich announced her hiatus from Twitter promising to focus working on the show.
It’s time for a Twitter hiatus. The love here is amazing, and the hate is enlightening, like a real-life Trial of the Grasses, except I HAVE to read less and write more — or we won’t have a damn finale. Be back soon with more insight and more Roach. Be nice to each other, okay?
— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) September 10, 2018
Her hiatus comes after fans of The Witcher series of books and games questioned the reasoning behind the race swap of Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon or better known as Ciri. There were some fans who supported the idea.
So much love to you. Though I’ve been surprised from what has been revealed so far, I like it. I want to be surprised. I want to have something NEW to look forward to. Sending all the good thoughts and vibes and creative juju your way. YOU GOT THIS!
— Liana ‘LiLi’ Ruppert (@DirtyEffinHippy) September 11, 2018
You deserve a break from these “fans” busting your balls 24/7. ? I just appreciate that you let us see into this process at all, you don’t have to, you don’t owe us anything, so, thanks. Now get to work! ?
— ramona (@ramses3579) September 10, 2018
However, there were many more who vehemently opposed the idea of the race swap. They pointed to the fact that a story rooted in Eastern European culture and lore was being washed away for American sensibilities.
Please stick to the source material, okay? It’s based on traditional Slavic / European folk tales, not some American 21st-century issues. For the love of sweet baby Jesus, don’t “get woke, go broke” this.
— Hejeldrummer ???????? (@Hejeldrummer) September 10, 2018
as an polish female adoptee who is proud of her culture. I am disappointed. You are changing my culture.
— Aero (@Aero0lith) September 11, 2018
One user even pointed to a past Tweet of Hissrich’s to voice her opinion.
I have no hate here at all but please recall this tweet you said in May – culture. Heritage. Ethnic make up. Story – I have such hopes for this show but don’t lose sight of these words you spoke pic.twitter.com/DNBQllO7Sd
— ♡ Hylian Keyblade Princess ♡ (@hylian_cece) September 11, 2018
In the past, Hissrich has said she would stick to the “books’ races and cultures.” She specifically stated she would not change people’s “cultural heritage or ethnic makeup or gender because I’m feeling really ‘liberal’ that day.”
The answer is: I will not deviate from the books’ races and cultures, which means I WILL include minorities. The trap people fall into is equating “ minority” with skin color. (Note: people saw the writers’ room picture I tweeted and railed “Why so diverse?! Why no Europeans?!”
— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) May 11, 2018
The answer is: the staff includes someone who was born in Europe, someone else who’s spent half her life in Central Europe, and someone whose family is Polish. But no one actually asked that — they simply took note of skin color and assumed I was filling quotas.)
— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) May 11, 2018
Will I move through the book and start changing people’s cultural heritage or ethnic makeup or gender because I’m feeling really “liberal” that day? No. That’s ridiculous and contrary to what ANY writer would do, because we are storytellers. Story comes first.
— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) May 11, 2018
But will there be minorities? Yes. A man would be a minority in Brokilon Forest. A person of color would be a minority in a small village. An islander would be an minority in Cintra. Mr. Sapkowski has said — publicly, and to me — that the Continent is big and diverse —
— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) May 11, 2018
— in its population, in every way (race, culture, gender, and yes, occasionally skin color, which he said he did not always specify). I’m not sure how people insinuate I’m destroying the books by recognizing that. I’m honoring the author’s own intentions. He told me so himself.
— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) May 11, 2018
No one has been announced to take on the role of Ciri. The only casting announcement for the show thus far is former Superman actor Henry Cavill will take on the role of Geralt of Rivia.
What do think of showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich’s decision to go on a Twitter hiatus? Was it the right thing to do?
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