Here’s Why Does Triss Merigold Look So Different in The Witcher Season 2

Were you as shocked as me when you saw Triss Merigold in the season 2 of The Witcher? You’re at the right place.

Even though the actress who plays the role, Anna Shaffer has not been replaced, Triss’s character in season 2 of The Witcher looked absolutely different from what we saw her in season 1. There are two probable reasons for this change in my opinion.

Triss Merigold’s hairstyle was most likely changed in season 2 of The Witcher as a reference to her hair being burned down in the Battle of Sodden Hill, as mentioned in the books and hinted in the show. Red hair is also a defining feature of Triss in the video games.  

So if you’re familiar with the video game based on The Witcher, then the new Triss probably seems more familiar to you that the old one. Here’s everything you need to know about Triss Merigold’s sudden change in appearance in The Witcher season 2!

Who is Triss Merigold?

Before we go into why Triss’s character was changed so drastically in terms of appearance, let’s get to know Triss a little bit.

As we see in the series, Triss Merigold is a Temerian sorceress who met Geralt in the past timeline of The Witcher season 1. Together, they had solved the case of King Foltest’s illegitimate daughter after which we saw Triss return to the Battle of Sodden Hill.

It is in Sodden Hill that Triss was brutally injured and burned by the Nilfgaardian army. In season 2, we meet a Triss who is still physically and mentally traumatized by the events of Sodden Hill. After she joins the Witchers at Kaer Morhen, she begins helping with Ciri’s training.

In the books written by Andrzej Sapkowski, Triss goes through the same fate. The books mention that Triss’s hair was entirely burned off in the Battle of Sodden Hill.

How and Why Does Triss Look Different in Season 2?

The most significant change we can notice in Triss in season 2 of The Witcher is her hair. Throughout season 1, she had curled auburn locks. In season 2, Triss can be seen in red hair towards the straighter side.

The reason for the change in hairstyle is most likely the Battle of Sodden Hill and Triss’s hair being burnt down in the battle. As per the books, Triss lost her hair in the Battle of Sodden Hill because it was burned off.

The change in her hairstyle season 2 is most likely an allusion to her traumatic experience in the Battle of Sodden Hill. In episode 3 titled “What is Lost”, in one scene Yennefer tells Triss that she looks different.

Triss replies back, saying “So do you.” In other words, Triss does not explicitly mention much about her trauma. She was also reluctant in sharing the pool with other witches, which hint at her probable physical injuries or traumatic experiences she might have wanted to keep to herself.

There is no clear mention of Triss’s hair being burnt down at Sodden Hill in the show like it is mentioned in the books. But I don’t see any other reason which can fit in this sudden change into the storyline.

Triss suddenly did not go to a parlour for a hair makeover. Considering the depth and development that her character got in season 2 (compared to season 1), I don’t think the change was for mere aesthetic reasons either. So all things considered, it is most likely a reference to Triss’s trauma.

Another significant reason for such a change could be to bring the character closer to the video game version of the same character. After the first season of The Witcher was released, many fans raised questions regarding the authenticity of the physical appearance of the characters.

Triss’s auburn locks was one of the details which met with criticism because it did not resemble the red-haired Triss from the video game world. It is probably because of such feedback that the makers decided to give Triss an appearance closer to the source material.

However, the game Triss is not similar to the Triss from the books. Triss is not a redhead in the books. She is described to have chestnut hair to be precise.

I guess the Triss from the games has already created an image of the character which fans associate with Triss, so the makers of the series decided to make her a redhead to satisfy their demands.

About The Witcher

The Witcher is a fantasy drama streaming television series created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich for Netflix. It is based on the book series of the same name by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski.

Set on a fictional, medieval-inspired landmass known as the Continent, The Witcher explores the legend of Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Princess Ciri.

The show stars Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, and Freya Allan. The show has been renewed for seasons 3 and 4.