Netflix is developing and producing a new English language drama series based on The Witcher, the globally popular fantasy saga from Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski, that has entranced legions of fans worldwide.  

Known collectively as the Witcher Saga, Sapkowski's eight novels and story collections center on "witchers", hunters who develop supernatural abilities at a young age to battle deadly monsters. The New York TImes bestselling books have spawned a major video game franchise and have been translated into over 20 languages. Said Erik Barmack, Netflix Vice President, international series.

"Andrzej Sapkowski has created a rich and memorable world, at once magical and familiar. We couldn't be more excited about bringing The Witcher saga to Netflix members around the world."

Said Sapkowski.

"I'm thrilled that Netflix will be doing an adaptation of my stories, staying true to the source material and the themes that I have spent over thirty years writing. I'm excited about our efforts together, as well as the team assembled to shepherd these characters to life."

Andrzej Sapkowski will serve as a creative consultant on the series. Sean Daniel (The Mummy franchise, The Expanse) and Jason Brown (The Expanse), partners at the Sean Daniel Company are executive producers, along with Tomek Baginski (Oscar nominated short The Cathedral, BAFTA winning The Fallen Art, Ambition) and Jarek Sawko (The Fallen Art, Another Day of Life) from Platige Image, the Polish production and visual effects company. Said Sean Daniel and Jason Brown.

"The Witcher stories follow an unconventional family that comes together to fight for truth in a dangerous world. The characters are original, funny and constantly surprising and we can't wait to bring them to life at Netflix, the perfect home for innovative storytelling."

Added Platige Image's Tomek Baginski and Jarek Sawko.

"There is a moral and intellectual depth in these books which goes beyond genre. It is a story about today and today's challenges, hidden under a fantasy cover. It is a story about us, about the monster and the hero inside all of our hearts."

Netflix is the world's leading internet television network with over 100 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Netflix gave their Upfront Presentation earlier today, where not only the Witcher was announced, but also that Arrested Development Season 5 is happening. The new episodes will shoot this summer, with the full cast returning. It looks like it's going to be another big year for Netflix in 2018. Expect to hear more big news soon as we head into the summer months, which will see the big release of Orange is the New Black Season 5 along with the Netflix original movies War Machine starring Brad Pitt and the family creature feature Okja which introduces a new kind of movie monster to the screen.