Filming for the fifth and final season of “The Witcher” has begun in South Africa with Liam Hemsworth leading the cast. The production will cover locations from a spinoff series and has started with location shoots rather than the usual studio filming. The overall production is expected to conclude in September 2025 with a release slated for 2026.
Filming for the fifth and final season of “The Witcher” has commenced in Cape Town, South Africa, as of February 26, 2025. Almost seven years since the initial season was filmed in Budapest, the production now features Liam Hemsworth in the lead role. This season utilizes sets previously constructed for the spinoff, “The Rats: A Witcher’s Tale,” with both the spinoff and Season 5 situated in the same fictional town.
Unlike previous productions that began in England at Longcross Studios, this installment opted for location shoots in South Africa first. The production’s codename is “Complete Chaos,” and filming in the region is expected to continue until March 21, 2025. Noteworthy scenes involve Freya Allan’s character, Ciri, who finds herself compelled to fight in a crime lord’s pit, a narrative link to the spinoff featuring the same crime lord, Dominik Houvenaghel.
Ciri’s storyline introduces her capture following a violent confrontation with Leo Bonhart, a relative of Houvenaghel, leading her into the fighting pit. The town depicted in the series aligns with the fictional Ebbing from the source material. Additionally, various outdoor locations around Stellenbosch have been transformed for filming, with several props, including fake corpses, visible in these scenic spots.
Notably, Anya Chalotra and Anna Shaffer, portraying Yennefer and Triss, respectively, joined Allan during the final week of shoots, suggesting potential subplots for their characters in Season 5. Notably absent were Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt and his companions during this shooting phase. Production for the complete season is anticipated to conclude by September 2025, aiming for a release in 2026.
Thus far, Netflix has not officially announced the start of filming or provided updates on “The Witcher,” maintaining a low profile since the lukewarm reception of “Sirens of the Deep” earlier this year. Meanwhile, Season 4 is expected to premiere sometime in 2025.
In conclusion, the final season of “The Witcher” has initiated filming in South Africa, marking a significant milestone for the production. Utilizing previously established sets and focusing on compelling narratives featuring beloved characters like Ciri, the season promises to deliver exciting developments. While production is set to continue until 2025, anticipation for both Season 4 and the concluding season remains high among fans.
Original Source: www.whats-on-netflix.com
