Spies over at Redanian Intelligence have worked their magic once again and provided some useful intel on Netflix’s The Witcher season 2. This time the outlet has learned that Sigismund Dijkstra, the spymaster who will be familiar to those who have played The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, is to be a central character throughout next season. Further, auditions have already begun and a recording of Graham McTavish’s efforts have been uncovered.
McTavish is a Scottish actor best known for his performances in The Hobbit and Outlander. We actually picked him as one of our preferences for the role of Vesemir in season 2, but we’ll definitely settle for Dijkstra — especially after watching the excellent reading below.
Update: The video has now been removed from Vimeo, but we have pasted the transcript below, which was transcribed by Redanian Intelligence. We will attempt to find a re-upload of the audition and embed it here if one exists.
Update 2: A new upload of the video has been embedded below.
Before watching, it’s important to keep in mind that the lines are not from the actual season 2 script. As was the case for season 1, the show’s writing team create custom scenes for the actors to perform that are specifically for auditions.
During the lines, you’ll hear McTavish referred to as “David,” which is a codename for a character within the show. We can deduce this is Dijkstra based both on the nature of the script and because both names start with D, a convention that was used in the previous season — Redanian Intelligence offers the example of “Isaac” being used in reference to Istredd.
Transcript as below.
King Vizimir: For such a large man “David”, you move remarkably like the wind, though in this case a foul one.
Dijkstra: (Smiles) Can’t be that foul, it took you an eternity to take notice.
King Vizimir: It’s your reputation of getting new information that worries my senses.
Dijkstra: I’ll be gentle, you won’t feel a thing. Now, after the stunning escape of the prisoner in the East, I thought you want to hear the news, right away.
King Vizimir: It’s more gossip than news.
Dijsktra: Well, in my line of work today’s gossip is next month’s news.
King Vizimir: That could be your motto for life.
Dijkstra: Hmm… The East believe themselves to be powerful, and yet how quickly they take the will of the kings to heart?
King Vizimir: And if this escape is true…
Dijkstra: Oh don’t worry, they may have lengthened the necks of few of my spies, but I have plenty more.
King Vizimir: You just finished a war you can’t possibly want to start another.
Dijkstra: No, but a coup is possible. And the best way to keep their swords in their scabbards is to keep them down.
King Vizimir: What do you want of me?
Dijkstra: A plan to do just that. Something smart, simple, behind the scenes in a way that only you and I can do best.
King Vizimir: And why do you place your bet on finding this escape artist?
Dijkstra: Well, the most important thing that I have discovered is that they have no fucking clue as to the current whereabouts of the prisoner. So find him, and you control the voice of the rebellion. You control the East and with it, all the power.
King Vizimir: Then it seems your trip was a success.
Dijkstra: I always like to take more than I give. Your Majesty.
Graham McTavish – David “The Witcher” Re-tape from graham mctavish on Vimeo.
In related The Witcher news, Netflix has confirmed plans to produce an animated The Witcher series called Nightmare of the Wolf, which is set to launch this year.
Published: Jan 24, 2020 08:01 am