Producers give tantalising hint that Netflix’s Witcher 2 could include Polish actors
Netflix has begun production on the second season of “The Witcher” amid rumours that it could include Polish actors.
Set in a medieval fantasy world, the series is based on the fantasy series by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski, which has been translated into over twenty languages.
The company has revealed seven new cast members who will appear alongside British actor Henry Cavill, who stars as Geralt of Rivia.
The main character, Geralt of Rivia, is what is known as a “witcher” – a beast hunter who uses supernatural powers to battle beasts and monsters.
Now Season 2 is officially being made and production has begun in Britain, Netflix announced last week.
The company has revealed seven new cast members who will appear alongside British actor Henry Cavill, who stars as Geralt of Rivia.
Season 1 included Poland’s Maciej Musiał in the role of Sir Lazio.
They include Norwegian actor, Kristofer Hivju, who played red-bearded wilding leader Tormund Giantsbane in the HBO series “Game of Thrones.”
Talking to PAP Life, executive producer Tomasz Bagiński hinted that the second season could also include some Polish names.
Season 1 also included Marcin Czarniak as the magician killer and stuntman Tomasz Krzemieniecki as Vyra, a member of the Renfri band.
He said: "This is just the first announcement. There are more roles in the second season.
“But unfortunately, I cannot give any names yet, not even nationalities, beyond what has already been announced.”
Last month he said that the idea of employing Polish actors had been taken into account saying: "We're exploring various options. Maybe Poles will play.”
Talking to PAP Life, executive producer Tomasz Bagiński hinted that the second season could also include some Polish names.
Season One of The Witcher included three Polish actors. Maciej Musiał played the role of Sir Lazio, Marcin Czarniak the magician killer and stuntman Tomasz Krzemieniecki played Vyra, a member of the Renfri band.
Season 2 will be directed by Stephen Surjik, who will direct episodes 201 and 202, Sarah O’Gorman (203 and 204); Ed Bazalgette (205 and 208) and Geeta Patel (206 and 207). It will be released in 2021.
For Netflix, the show represents “a massive new franchise that will develop season after season,” the company’s CEO Reed Hastings said in an interview on 21 January, the same day that the audience numbers reflecting Season 1’s record popularity were released.
Set in a medieval fantasy world, the series is based on the fantasy series by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski (pictured), which has been translated into over twenty languages.
Since being released on the online streaming platform in December, the show’s first season, which contained eight episodes, has been a hit.
In January, Netflix announced that 76 million households had watched at least two minutes of it, making it the company’s most-watched first season of television ever.
Amid Season 1’s success, demand in the United States for the original “Witcher” books by Sapkowski has surged.
The main character, Geralt of Rivia, is what is known as a “witcher” – a beast hunter who uses supernatural powers to battle beasts and monsters.
Last month, American publisher Orbit announced a return to press for every title in series – over 500,000 copies in total – following “phonemenal” sales of the books in all formats.
“We’re aware that the novels might not be available everywhere at this time, but our inventory team and printers are working incredibly hard and all books will be back in stock and flying out of our warehouse very shortly,” the publisher wrote in a statement published on 14 January.
