Who is the fake Ciri in The Witcher season 4? Character analyzed

Netflix’s hit fantasy series The Witcher season 4 marks a major turning point not just because Liam Hemsworth now wields Geralt’s swords, but because the political and magical intrigue of the Continent has reached new heights. Adapted from Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels, the new season continues to explore the chaos unleashed by destiny, deception, and power.

The events of the previous installment left Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri scattered across warring factions. as the latest season unfolds, the lines between truth and illusion blur more than ever — especially with the appearance of a “fake Ciri.”

The showrunner, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, promised that these final two seasons will tie the storylines of Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake into an epic conclusion. And right at the center of it lies a devastating identity twist — a young woman named Teryn, manipulated into believing she’s Cirilla of Cintra.

But who is she really, and what does her existence mean for the real Ciri and the future of the Continent?

Who is the fake Ciri and why does she matter?

The “fake Ciri” first appeared at the end of Season 3, but The Witcher season 4 delves deeper into her tragic backstory. Played by Frances Pooley, Teryn is one of several elven mage novices who were captured by the rogue sorcerer Vilgefortz. Using illusion magic and psychological conditioning, he reshaped her memories, forcing her to believe she was the long-lost princess of Cintra.

To the outside world, Ciri is a pawn that Emperor Emhyr parades as proof of his dynasty’s strength. In episode 2, Nilfgaard’s court doubles down on this deception. Advisors and soldiers address her as “Your Highness,” while she repeats the rehearsed lines Vilgefortz implanted in her mind. Yet small cracks begin to show.

“I remember fire,” she mutters in one haunting scene, clutching her head as flashes of her true life surface. That moment captures what makes the fake Ciri storyline so unsettling, she’s both victim and symbol.

Geralt, still recovering from his near-fatal injuries, learns of the deception through spies and begins his quest to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Yennefer suspects that the girl in Nilfgaard’s custody is not Ciri at all. From a narrative standpoint, Teryn’s presence mirrors Ciri’s internal struggle. While the real Ciri adopts the alias Falka and embraces her darker impulses with the Rats, the false Ciri represents innocence stolen and manipulated by others. This duality amplifies one of The Witcher’s most consistent themes — the corruption of agency in a world driven by ambition and fear.

Even Hissrich has hinted that Teryn’s story is “essential to understanding the cost of control and the illusion of destiny.” It’s a chilling reflection of how far Nilfgaard and its allies will go to maintain their hold on the Continent — even if it means creating an entirely new person to replace the one they couldn’t capture.

Everything we know about The Witcher Season 4

With The Witcher season 4, the series officially enters its endgame. The season mark the debut of Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia, following Henry Cavill’s exit. Joining him is Laurence Fishburne as Regis, a centuries-old barber-surgeon — and a vampire — who becomes one of Geralt’s most trusted allies.

The season picks up right after the chaos of Season 3. Geralt has abandoned his neutrality and set out to rescue Ciri with the help of Jaskier and Milva. Yennefer, meanwhile, rebuilds the Brotherhood of Sorcerers following the death of Tissaia and assumes leadership at Aretuza. As for Ciri, her journey with the outlaw band known as the Rats continues to test her morality — and her ability to define herself outside of prophecy.

New threats also rise. Vilgefortz’s betrayal lingers over the Continent, and his alliance with Emperor Emhyr deepens the mystery surrounding Ciri’s destiny. At the same time, Geralt’s new “Hanza” — his chosen family of warriors — begins to form, introducing fresh dynamics and emotional stakes. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has confirmed that Season 4 and the upcoming Season 5 were filmed back-to-back to conclude Geralt’s saga with an “epic and satisfying ending.” 

As Geralt’s new journey unfolds and the Continent teeters on the brink of collapse, one thing is clear: every illusion comes with a cost. All eight episodes of The Witcher season 4 are now streaming on Netflix, setting the stage for the saga’s explosive final chapter.