“Yennefer de Vengerberg is the best character!”, Exclaims the actress Anya Chalotra between jokes and laughter about the co-leading character she has in the series ‘The Witcher’ with Henry Cavill.
In this story that premiered in its second season on Netflix, Chalotra plays a powerful sorceress born in 1173, who is also the true love of Geralt de Rivia (Henry Cavill). “I think we did a good job of showing the story behind Yennefer, she goes through a lot in the first season, so you genuinely get under her skin,” explains the British interpreter of Hindu descent, about the why his character is one of the most iconic in ‘The Witcher’.
However, he reveals that, before auditioning for the role, he had little faith in getting it. “I told my agent: ‘There’s no way I’m going to do it, but he told me:’ Come on, ‘and I had it. I think I did it because I played everything bad about Yennefer. The management needed me to reach very great emotional moments. Definitely Yennefer has taught me a lot, I think the biggest similarity I have with her is that neither of them takes ‘no’ for an answer ”, Anya confesses through Zoom in dialogue with some media in the region.
But there is something that also implies his role, like the other characters that inhabit the Continent within ‘The Witcher’: the representation of the different. “I think this covers the entire Continent. I believe that each one has something that makes them unique, that Yennefer has an astonishing amount of power and chaos within her. I don’t think she lets anyone use her, it’s like she can’t trust someone, she’s always alone, ”she says.
On the accident that Henry Cavill suffered in this second season and that kept him away from the set for several weeks, Chalotra recalls: “There were many parts of the story that did not involve Henry, obviously leaving meant a big change, but we found a way to continue”.
The evolution of Dandelion
For Joey Batey, who plays Dandelion, the musician and friend of Geralt of Rivia, his character is undergoing some changes this season. “In the first season, we needed to bring humor, but Dandelion is not defined by his humor but by his light and joy. Although, in fact, he does go to a darker place in season two, he’s learning to walk on his own two feet and sing his own song, “he says. In ‘The Witcher’, Dandelion plays an important role, as his music made the song ‘Toss a Coin’ famous on and off the set.
In real life, the British actor and musician is the co-author of the series’ soundtrack. “I co-wrote the music and it was a wonderful experience. During the process we exchanged ideas and did many versions of the song (‘Toss a Coin’), until we discovered one, which made me more involved in the emotional side of my character. In this second season we wanted to reflect this darkness. We wanted to be influenced by Celtic music and a bit of metal, ”says the 32-year-old British actor, who also modified his character’s wardrobe, in the best style of a rock star. “The costume designer, the makeup artist and I got together and decided that we wanted to enjoy ourselves a little more. I showed them some clothes and jewelry. The entire process was collaborative and open ”.
Batey assures that, like other productions, the pandemic affected them. “We were constantly tested, plus there was a lot of anxiety and stress on set. It was about doing the best series in the safest way, on a physical level and with mental health. Fortunately, we had a great covid protocol team that kept us safe and sustained. ”❖