Early yesterday, it was announced that Netflix's The Witcher would be the first major TV show produced in the UK to halt production due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Just a few hours later, cast member Kristofer Hivju took to his Instagram account to reveal that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Hivju said that he and his family are self-isolating at home, and assured his followers that they are "in good health"; he said he only has mild symptoms of a cold.
Once Hivju revealed that he has contracted the virus, Netflix sent out an e-mail to The Witcher's production team to say,
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 had previously intended for the pause in production to last for two weeks. It's not clear if Hivju's diagnosis will extend the break, or if anyone else involved with the production has since tested positive.
Best known for playing the role of Tormund Giantsbane on Game of Thrones, Hivju is a new addition to the cast of The Witcher for season 2. He's taking on the role of Nivellen, "a man cursed as a result of a terrible sin".
The Witcher stars Henry Cavill as the monster-hunting Geralt of Rivia. Inspired by a series of novels written by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher is an
epic tale of fate and family — the story of the intertwined destinies of three individuals in the vast world of The Continent, where humans, elves, witchers, gnomes, and monsters battle to survive and thrive, and where good and evil is not easily identified.
In addition to Cavill, the returning cast members from season 1 include Anya Chalotra as Yennefer, Freya Allan as Ciri, Joey Batey as Jaskier, MyAnna Buring as Tissaia, Tom Canton as Filavandrel, Lilly Cooper as Murta, Jeremy Crawford as Yarpen Zigrin, Eamon Farren as Cahir, Mahesh Jadu as Vilgefortz, Terrence Maynard as Artorius, Lars Mikkelsen as Stregobor, Mimi Ndiweni as Fringilla Vigo, Royce Pierreson as Istredd, Wilson Radjou-Pujalte as Dara, Anna Shaffer as Triss Merigold, and Therica Wilson Read as Sabrina.
Hivju's fellow season 2 new additions include Carmel Laniado as a smart, sadistic teenager named Violet; Mecia Simson as Elven sorceress Francesca; Thue Ersted Rasmussen, Yasen Atour, and Paul Bullion as the Witchers of Kaer Morhern; Aisha Fabienne Ross as the sorceress Lydia; Agnes Born as Vereena, who is fragile and vulnerable on the outside but is capable of brutal violence; and Kim Bodnia as Geralt's mentor Vesemir.
Here's hoping that Hivju's experience with COVID-19 will be quick and mild, and everyone can get back to work on The Witcher in a couple weeks.