Netflix's The Witcher season 2 will resume production on August 17

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Production on The Witcher season 2 was shut down in March due to COVID-19

(Image credit: Netflix)

Update: Netflix has confirmed The Witcher season 2 will resume production August 17 with a cheeky, Jaskier-inspired Tweet.

As we previously reported, production was rumored to resume in the first week of August, according to Production Weekly (via Redanian Intelligence). However, while the rumors weren't far from the truth, the series will return to production in the third week of August rather than the first. 

Either way, I'm sure we can all agree that The Witcher season 2 resuming production is absolutely ace. I blew through the first season in a weekend and have been craving more Geralt and Ciri and Yennefer ever since.  If you're looking for something to hold you over, check out The Witcher books. 

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Previously: In an interview with Deadline, Arborfield Studios managing director Bob Terry confirmed that the studio would be finalizing safety measures in the next few weeks for a reopening shortly after. Arborfield is the main studio in London that Netflix uses to film and produce The Witcher series.

Filming on the second season of The Witcher was underway when, in March, Netflix shut down Arborfield. At that time, the rapid spread of the coronavirus had recently been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and The Witcher actor Kristofer Hivju had just tested positive for the coronavirus. Now, as UK public health and government officials release new health and safety guidelines, several prominent UK studios are preparing to welcome back productions.

If The Witcher season 2 does resume filming soon, there's a good chance it will still release within Netflix's vague 2021 window. But, whenever it releases, it sounds like we're in for an even more compelling season than the first. In an interview with GamesRadar+ in December, showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich described season 2 as being "much more focused" and having "a stronger drive" than season 1.

With the addition of a handful of castmembers earlier this year, we now know everything there is to know about The Witcher season 2 cast. With Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane from Game of Thrones) playing an all-new character and Peaky Blinders actor Paul Bullion playing Lambert, a fan-favorite from the games, there's a lot to be excited for in the next season of The Witcher. That said, we don't want anyone returning to work on the show until it's absolutely safe to do so.

Until then, here are the best Netflix shows to stream from the safety of home right now.

Alyssa Mercante
Alyssa Mercante
Former Features Writer

Alyssa Mercante used to be a features writer at GamesRadar+ and is now a freelance writer and editor. Prior to entering the industry, she got her Masters's degree in Modern and Contemporary Literature at Newcastle University with a dissertation focusing on contemporary indie games. She spends most of her time playing competitive shooters and in-depth RPGs and was recently on a PAX Panel about the best bars in video games. In her spare time Alyssa rescues cats, practices her Italian, and plays soccer.