After a hiatus spanning several months, Season 2 of Netflix's The Witcher was given the green light to continue production in the United Kingdom, on the condition that the set adhered to a new set of strict health and safety guidelines to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).The official guidelines contained instructions on how frequently the set must be sterilized to how physical distance must be maintained. Director Stephen Surjik and showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich recently posted photos from behind-the-scenes, showcasing what these guidelines look like in action. The photos reveal how discussions between herself and writers take place, using distancing measures and a lot of personal protective equipment.
Production on Season 2 originally began in February at Arborfield Studios in Surrey, before the pandemic forced filming to come to a halt in mid-March. At least one cast member, Kristof Hivju -- who has since recovered -- had contracted COVID-19 before production was shut down. After approximately three months, pre-production began again in July. Principal photography is scheduled to begin on August 17.
There have been no announcements from Hissrich or Netflix concerning how the hiatus will affect the release of the second season. Is has been reported that filming for Season 2 is scheduled to complete in February 2021, bringing the total length of filming to eight months, likely to accommodate health and safety protocols.