UPDATE: Basil Eidenbenz (Victoria) has replaced Thue Rasmussen in the role of Eskel for Season 2 of Netflix’s The Witcher, according to Deadline. Rasmussen had to drop out of the role due to scheduling delays caused by the COVID-19 production shutdown.
Our original report from September 24 follows.
Thue Rasmussen has announced that he will no longer be portraying Eskel in Season 2 of Netflix’s The Witcher due to scheduling conflicts caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The actor confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday, explaining to fans that he had to make the “heartbreaking” decision to exit the project after the production was rescheduled. Despite now not being involved in the next season, Rasmussen said that he was “grateful” for the days that he spent on-set prior to the shutdown.
At the end of the post, he thanked fans for their support and praised everyone involved in the production, calling his time on the project “a truly inspiring experience.” He also said that he was looking forward to watching Season 2 when it hits Netflix, as he’s sure it will be an “absolutely amazing” season, which he will now be watching as “a fanboy instead of as a Witcher.”
Rasmussen was originally cast to play Eskel, another Witcher from the School of the Wolf who established an early friendship with Geralt of Rivia during their time together at Kaer Morhen. For those of you who have played the video games, you’ll also know Eskel from CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. At the moment, it is unknown who will replace Rasmussen in the role.
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Season 2 of The Witcher started filming in London earlier this year, with a planned release sometime in 2021. However, the shoot was suspended back in March as Netflix paused filming on all of its films and TV shows in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Netflix has since resumed production on the second season of the hit show after being given the “green light” to start filming again.
If you want to explore the extraordinary world of The Witcher in the meantime, check out Netflix’s behind-the-scenes specials Making The Witcher and A Look Inside the Episodes.
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Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.
Source: IGN.com The Witcher Season 2: Eskel Actor Replaced