The Witcher’s Royce Pierreson ‘saved’ co-star from fire on-set

Royce Pierreson revealed that behind the sensational magic of The Witcher’s third season, there’s a hefty amount of practical effects bringing it to light, including countless candles and open flames.

As one of the few actors on set without elaborate, flowing wigs, the 34-year-old inadvertently became the “fire-putter-outer”, saving his co-stars as their heads caught flame during scenes.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk on the red carpet at The Witcher’s London premiere, Royce also revealed that actress Anna Schaffer, who plays Triss Merigold, was usually the one in peril.

He explained: “Her hair is huge! And she’s constantly walking near flames.

“I saved her a few times definitely,” he adds with a small smirk.

Royce had long been a national treasure before appearing on The Witcher, with starring roles in Line of Duty, The Irregulars and Wanderlust, but the Netflix hit catapulted the actor into global stardom seemingly overnight in 2019.

However, Royce admitted he didn’t have an inkling just how much of a sensation the fantasy show would be.

He shared: “It’s like any job, you don’t know how it’s going to be received. I knew there was a huge fanbase, books and games, but I hadn’t read or played them.

“I didn’t know what was going to happen when it was about to drop.”

Basking in the roar of the crowds around him, as Henry Cavill arrives on the red carpet, Royce adds: “That kind of explosion from season one and two and now here. It’s so brilliant to have our own fanbase and bring in other people. To come here and see all these people is so fantastic.”

This isn’t to say the role of Istredd was simple for him to take on, as the Our Girl alum reveals: “I’ve never done such a big budget show, such an ensemble piece. It’s been my learning curve and I’ve learnt from such great actors.

“It’s been four, five years of learning from these people. Just watching, talking to people who’ve been in the game a long long time so I’ve learnt a huge deal.”