With the extreme success of the first season of The Witcher, a dark fantasy based upon the book by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, the pressure is high to get the second season’s casting right. While the main cast, including Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Joey Batey, are returning, Netflix’s team looked to Game of Thrones for a new addition.
Kristofer Hivju is known for his role as the taciturn but fan-favorite Tormund on HBO’s Game of Thrones, based on the books by George R. R. Martin. Hivju played one of the Wildlings that roamed the frozen and undead-filled lands north of the Wall. Six other major characters join Hivju: Yaen Atour (Young Wallender) will play Coen, Agnes Bjorn will play Vereena, Paul Bullion (Peeky Blinders) will play Lambert, Thue Ersted Rasmussen (Fast and Furious 9) will play Eskel, Aisha Fabienne Ross (The Danish Girl) will play Lydia, and Mecia Simson will play Francesca.
Stephen Surjik will direct the first two episodes. The third and fourth will be led by Sarah O’Gorman, with Ed Bazalgette, followed by Geeta Patel, directing the next four. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, showrunner and Executive Producer, stated:
The reaction to season one of The Witcher set a high bar for adding new talent for the second season. Sophie Holland and her casting team have once again found the very best people to embody these characters, and in the hands of these accomplished directors, we’re excited to see these new stories come to life.”
Filming began this February in the United Kingdom for The Witcher’s next season. As of now, the only confirmed release date is 2021, but no specific month or date has been set. The Witcher has been performing phenomenally for Netflix, becoming an instant favorite from fans who haven’t already enjoyed the books, comics, or video games.