11 characters set for big roles in The Witcher 4 as Ciri romance options remain open

Goodbye, Geralt. The White Wolf's doting daddy days are done, and it's time for his adopted child to take the reins.

The Witcher 4 is poised to put Cirilla of Cintra in the driving seat as the fabled character takes up her own silver sword and heads out into the world as a developing witcher.

While the game is some way off, pencilled in for a physical 2028 release in the midst of a long roadmap including DLCs and multiple games, The Witcher 4 still remains one of the most interesting future releases.

Yet as we prepare for Geralt's swansong mission in Songs of the Past, attention is already turning to Ciri and whoever else we can expect to see in the upcoming title (especially finding those who are still alive).

There are a few who remain, though, and have got close ties to Ciri, rather than Geralt.

So, here's a look at 11 characters who we can expect to see in The Witcher 4, and exploring whether they play a family, friendly, or romantic role in Ciri's life.

Hjalmar and Cerys an Craite

Although The Witcher 4 has yet to confirm its regions, aside from the northern kingdom of Kovir, the familiar lands of Skellige are at the top of the list of hopeful locations - and with it comes a reunion of Ciri and the an Craite family.

While the 'canon' ruler of Skellige has not been confirmed (Geralt's choices determine who sits on the throne in TW3), Ciri has a great relationship with both sides of the family and could use either Hjalmar or Cerys to her advantage as a friend, political tool, or even a relationship companion - we know Ciri and Hjalmar were once proposed, and while he's a bit of a meaty pirate nowadays, the option to pick up a relationship with the childhood friend could be on the cards. Ciri is also known to be bisexual, so don't rule out a deeper connection with Cerys either.

Sir Galahad

Aside from Avalla'ch in The Witcher 3 (whose storyline is wrapped up well), Ciri's only real non-Geralt friend is Galahad. First introduced in The Lady of the Lake book, Ciri and Galahad are a flirty couple who are last seen travelling to Camelot.

Galahad has evaded all three of the games so far, despite being the last person Ciri speaks to in the books, and is the biggest wildcard that CD Projekt RED has in its pocket. Whether he returns as a familiar fluttery-eyed face or a soured soul, he'll make a huge impact.

Read More: Top 4 most important lore drops in The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past DLC reveal

Shani

Shani is best known for having an on-and-off relationship with Geralt, but she's arguably the most assured returning character in the entire list. Her last appearance in the Hearts of Stone DLC saw her and the White Wolf have a romance on a lake (if you chose to pursue it, there's plenty of Yen loyalists who didn't), but she opted not to make a relationship stick as a new deployment was offered in Kovir.

The red-haired medical student will likely reappear in the story and introduce herself to Ciri as a friendly healer - yet there's not much chance of seeing a relationship strike here, with a platonic friendship most likely. Unless...

CD Project RED

Letho of Gullet

There are very few Witchers left on the Continent at the start of The Witcher 4, but Letho remains a complete renegade who will be a huge curiosity to Ciri. Having never been introduced during her time studying at Kaer Morhen, Ciri and Letho only meet at the School of the Wolf home for the final battle (if recruited).

Letho is actually from the School of the Viper, which makes him uniquely poised in Ciri's contact list to teach her more about the ways of a witcher and how each group operates.

Saskia of Aedirn

Potentially returning from The Witcher 2, Saskia the Dragonslayer (also known as Saesenthessis) is the daughter of the golden dragon Villentretenmerth (seen in the Netflix series as a polymorphing human and as a formidable Gwent card), and is renowned for her role in northern politics.

While Nilfgaard continues to be a threat to her home in Upper Aedirn, it's entirely feasible that she has fled a few regions over to Kovir. As a mutual friend of Ciri's, having helped Geralt previously, the dragoness could be a great way to spice up The Witcher 4, considering recent players may be unaware of her dual personality.

Read More: 5 gameplay quirks that set RPG The Blood of Dawnwalker apart from The Witcher 3

Francesca Findabair

Out of all the witches and Lodge members in The Witcher, Francesca Findabair is one of the least-explored characters and could have played a much bigger role in Ciri's life. With Ciri coming from Elder Blood, she was destined to have a huge impact in ending the prejudice and purging of elves, with Francesca helping in that matter. Yet the entire Lara Dorren and Elder Blood gene storyline is largely unexplored.

Interestingly, Francesca is the only surviving Lodge member to have never featured in any of The Witcher games, which makes her a strong candidate for a spot in Ciri's trilogy.

CD Projekt RED

Keira Metz and Lambert

Of course, as one of three remaining witchers from the School of the Wolf, and a renowned traveller and friend of Ciri, it's quite likely that we will see Lambert appear in The Witcher 4 alongside Keira Metz.

The power couple would serve as Ciri's more experienced and assured friends, compared to most others whose romantic interests will be a question mark, and would be able to fill the parent-like void left by Geralt and Yen by boosting both her magical and witchery sides.

Anaïs

Despite choosing to go down the witcher's path and suppressing her deepest fancypants court appearance, Ciri does still take a liking to politics and castles, and it just so happens that one of the most powerful characters in The Witcher 2 could be on Ciri's doorstep in Kovir.

There's a lot of ifs, buts, and maybes to put Anaïs in the line of being the Queen of Redania, but if CD Projekt RED chooses its canon options, the daughter of King Foltess could play a huge role in Ciri's storyline in the north, and is similarly aged to the not-so-small Lion Cub.

Triss

While it's likely that Ciri will carve out her own path in The Witcher 4, away from her adoptive mother and father, Yen and Geralt, Triss is much more of a sister to her, and it would make complete sense to have her around for when times get tough.

Again, we're back in friendship and family territory here, but Triss is a known relationship aficionado and could help pull strings for suitors in Ciri's life.

CD Projekt RED

Zoltan

Should we see Ciri bounce between some of the northern kingdoms, there is a strong possibility that she may visit Aedirn (a place we've mentioned prior, and the county where Vengerberg resides) and pass through Mahakam, home of the dwarves and Zoltan.

Given their expertise with weaponry and Gwent cards, Zoltan is a natural friend to place in The Witcher 4, giving Ciri value beyond what her other companions can offer.

Lorveth

Finally, as a repeat name in The Witcher games, Iorveth may be given a shot in the limelight again, as he was cut from the final game of the trilogy to have his 'death' remain uncertain. Since 2013, the developers have continued to name-drop the famed Scoia'tael bowman, yet have refused to elaborate on his whereabouts and status.

Potentially joining Francesca in an Elder Blood story, Iorveth is a proud elf and could be a potential interest of Ciri if she were to continue the line of Lara Dorren (although this might be for The Witcher 5 or 6) and prove to be the first fertile witcher.