DESIGN BY YOSEF PHELAN

From the infamous moment Jaskier asked Henry Cavill’s jacked and forlorn monster hunter Geralt how often he allows strangers to “rub chamomile” onto his “lovely bottom”, ‘Geraskier’ has become the most shipped couple in The Witcher universe. (The scene was gay as hell, c’mon now.) While this so-called romance hasn’t become a reality (yet?!), the forthcoming third season sees the crooning bard – played by Joey Batey – explore his sexuality for the first time with Hugh Skinner’s “purposeless, bored and drunk” new character, Prince Radovid. 

In a mediaeval world swarming with basilisks, dopplers, chernobogs and other barbaric blood-thirsty beasts, it’s about damn time queer characters had their moment. Of this historic new relationship, Batey tells GAY TIMES: “If storylines like this can help in the smallest possible way, particularly for the younger demographic that tends to watch this show, then it will honestly become one of the greatest honours of my life.” 

Skinner, who is best known for roles in films such as Les Misérables and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, says it’s a “privilege” for him, as a gay actor, to play an LGBTQ+ character in a show with as “much reach” as The Witcher. 

In this interview, the two stars discuss the season three journey of their respective characters, how they ensured Jaskier and Radovid weren’t reduced to “stereotypes” and  their plans to “battle” the inevitable influx of homophobic backlash to The Witcher’s long-awaited queer-era. 

GAY TIMES: Joey, tell me about Jaskier and his journey season because he seems a little bit reluctant to get back into the swing of things?

Joey: He pretends to be reluctant, but Jaskier deep down loves being involved in anything. He does go on a bit of a journey this season. We get to see some of his romantic and political connections, and we see him try and commit to a moral path. Whether it works or it doesn’t, at least he’s been quite front-footed for the first time, particularly, in this family dynamic, and trying to work out where he lands. It ends up as being the role of slightly weird, but affable uncle after a while.

GAY TIMES: Hugh, congratulations on making your debut in The Witcher as Prince Radovid. Talk to me about him because he has a very – I’ll say – interesting presence…

Hugh: He is the king of Redania, King Vizimir’s younger brother. He’s purposeless, bored and drunk. He gets embroiled, politically, with the court and as part of that, he meets Jaskier. He’s excited to meet him, he’s heard the songs! Then, he’s captivated.