Actress Anya Chalotra from Netflix's The Witcher talked about shooting a crucial stunt scene and how it ended up as an "embarrassment."
In an interview with Vulture, the actress, known for her role as Yennefer of Vengerberg in the hit Netflix series, talked about her experiences working on the show's recent third season. Chalotra, who has been portraying the fierce sorceress for three seasons, shared some details about the behind-the-scenes action, particularly the stunt work. When asked about a critical scene where Yennefer faces the fire mage Rience, portrayed by Chris Fulton, Chalotra recounted the process behind the execution of the sword thrown onto her co-stars.
"I love stunt work," she explained. "I love working with my body to make something. I’ve always wanted to do more of it. This season, we were more specific because we wanted to bring Yennefer’s magic to life a bit more, and I basically just wanted to hang out with the stunt department. They’re so fun, and Wolfie [supervising stunt coordinator Wolfgang Stegemann] is just adored. This season wouldn’t be the same without him."
As for the stunt, she explained that after she tossed the sword, it landed on the floor. However, she was grateful that the camera immediately shifted its focus away from her, sparing her from any potential embarrassment. She noted that during such scenes, she needs to trust many people, as the fear of the sword falling flat is quite real. Chalotra explained, "Thank goodness the camera turns away from my face, because I’m like, Oh, that was embarrassing. And then someone throws it to Henry fast, and fortunately, it looks cool. I do have to trust a lot of people, because in that moment, when I go [pantomimes throwing it], and it just falls flat on the floor, there’s nothing worse. There’s nothing more humiliating. And my face is so determined!"
The Witcher Will Continue, But Without Henry Cavill
The season finale, "The Cost of Chaos," marks a significant turning point as the main trio of Yennefer, Ciri, portrayed by Freya Allan, and Geralt, face separation. Chalotra teased a promising future for Yennefer and expressed excitement at her newfound purpose, a departure from her earlier self-focused narrative.
The Witcher Season 3 is the latest installment in Netflix's adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski's fantasy novel series. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the show has gained a loyal fan base, largely due to Henry Cavill's strong performance as the lead character. However, Season 3 marks Cavill's final portrayal of Geralt, the monster hunter. In the upcoming seasons, Liam Hemsworth will take over the role, a decision that has disappointed many fans.
The Witcher Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix.
Source: Vulture