It seems as though a pandemic is the one thing The Witcher can’t beat. Netflix has announced that production on Season 2 will be shuttered for two weeks as a precautionary measure after actor Kristofer Hivju tested positive for Coronavirus. The staff has been advised to self-quarantine and while The Witcher is on break its set will be deep cleaned.
Deadline was the first to report the news, noting that an “individual” had tested positive for Coronavirus. Hivju later announced via Instagram that he was the infected cast member. Currently The Witcher Season 2 is filming in Arborfield Studios, which is west of London.
“Sorry to say that I, today, have tested positive for COVID19, Corona virus,” Hivju said in his post. “My familiy [sp] and I are self-isolating at home for as long as it takes. We are in good health – I only have mild symptoms of a cold.” Hivju then advised his followers to take care of themselves and either self-distance or isolate to prevent more vulnerable people from contracting the deadly disease.
“We paused production prior to becoming aware of this, but as a further precaution we will be closing production offices and Arborfield immediately and arranging for deep cleaning and disinfection,” Netflix said in an email. “We are in the process of contacting those who were in close contact with the relevant individual. However, due to the nature of this production, it is recommended that crew and cast self-quarantine for 14 days, monitor their temperature, and seek medical advice if they experience any symptoms.”
Hivju is new to the cast of The Witcher. In Season 2 he is set to play Nivellen, a cursed man who lives in a secluded manor. The character is familiar to anyone who has read the first installment of The Witcher saga, The Last Wish. But the actor is best known for starring in Game of Thrones. From 2013 to 2019 Hivju starred as Tormund Giantsbane.
The actor is just one of many new faces set to appear in The Witcher‘s new season. In addition to Hivju Season 2 will see Yasen Atour, Paul Bullion, and Thue Ersted Rasmussen as the witchers Coen, Lambert, and Eskel; Agnes Bjorn as Vereena, a vampiric creature known as a Bruxa; Aisha Fabienne Ross and Mecia Simson as the sorceresses Lydia and Francesca; and Kim Bodnia as Geralt’s mentor and fellow witcher Vesemir. The fantasy thriller is set to premiere sometime in 2021. Fingers crossed that Yennefer can work her magic to cure us all and make sure that release date isn’t pushed back much further.
