Kim Bodnia has joined the cast of Netflix’s The Witcher.
Bodnia will play the role of Vesemir in Season 2 of the fantasy drama, which is based on the book series of the same name by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski.
A mentor and father figure to Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), Vesemir is the oldest and most experienced witcher at Kaer Morhen in the 13th century. He’s one of the few members of the School of the Wolf that survived the Massacre at Kaer Morhen, a haunting slaughter that nearly exterminated the witchers. By 1260s, he’s the only old witcher remaining, and that makes him overly protective of the remaining few witchers. Vesemir is only a fencing instructor, so he doesn’t possess the knowledge necessary to create new mutagens in order to mutate more boys into witcher.
Back in 2018, showrunner and executive producer Lauren Schmidt Hissrich described Vesemir in a tweet.
VESEMIR IS:
Fatherly.
Wise.
Sprightly (despite the fact that he’s…)
Ancient.
Historian-and-keeper-of-secrets-and-tales-and-trials-of-the-disappearing-caste-of-witchers-who-must-face-the-fact-that-the-world-is-changing-outside-Kaer-Morhen’s-walls-and-how-will-they-change-too?— Lauren S. Hissrich (@LHissrich) March 6, 2018
“I am so thrilled to welcome Kim Bodnia to the cast of The Witcher,” Hissrich said in a statement, announcing the actor’s casting. “I have admired his unique talents in shows like Killing Eve and The Bridge, and cannot wait for him to bring strength, tenacity, and warmth to the character of Vesemir, who is such an integral part of our upcoming season.”
Bodnia confirmed his casting on Twitter, writing that he’s “excited” to step into the role of Vesemir.
Bodnia rose to prominence for his role as police detective Martin Rohde in the Scandinavian crime drama series The Bridge. The Danish actor, meanwhile, portrays Konstantin, the handler of Russian assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer) on BBC America’s Killing Eve. His other acting credits include the movies Pusher, Nightwatch, and In China They Eat Dogs.
Bodnia joins previously announced Season 2 additions: Yasen Atour (Young Wallender) as Coen, Agnes Bjorn as Vereena, Paul Bullion (Peaky Blinders) as Lambert, Thue Ersted Rasmussen (Fast and Furious 9) as Eskel, Aisha Fabienne Ross (The Danish Girl) as Lydia, Kristofer Hivju (Game of Thrones) as Nivellen, and recent graduate Mecia Simson, as Francesca.
In addition to Cavill, other returning cast members for the show’s sophomore run are Anya Chalotra as the sorceress Yennefer, Freya Allan as Ciri, and Joey Batey as the fan-favourite Jaskier.
The eight-episode Season 2 of The Witcher will arrive on Netflix in 2021.