Liam Hemsworth revealed to Entertainment Weekly that he largely avoided social media throughout most of last year after Netflix announced he would replace Henry Cavill as the lead in The Witcher. Hemsworth is set to portray Geralt for the final two seasons of the series, beginning with Season 4’s premiere in October.
Addressing the fan reaction, Hemsworth said,
“There was quite a bit of noise and I had to put that aside. It started to become a distraction,”
and added,
“I dealt with that sort of thing in the past a lot and, you know, at the end of the day, I love making movies and I love telling stories and acting. I just don’t want any of that to affect my way of telling the story that I’m trying to tell. I jumped off social media and the internet most of last year.”
Fan Disappointment Grows as Henry Cavill Steps Down
The news that Cavill would not continue as Geralt shocked many fans of the series, who had enjoyed his portrayal over the past three seasons. To ease concerns surrounding the transition, Cavill publicly endorsed Hemsworth’s casting. In a statement, Cavill wrote,
“In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam’s take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men.”
Showrunner Explains the Decision Behind the Lead Actor Change
Lauren Hissrich, the creator and showrunner of The Witcher, shared with Entertainment Weekly that conversations about Cavill’s departure had been underway for some time before Hemsworth was officially cast. She explained,
“He had plans for other roles that he really wanted to commit himself to,”
adding,
“And for us, you don’t want to hold someone and force them to be doing something that they don’t want to do. I think that’s why it felt like a really symbiotic decision.”
Cast Reaction to Henry Cavill’s Exit Demonstrates Close Bonds
Anya Chalotra, who portrays Yennefer, spoke emotionally about Cavill’s departure, recalling the moment she learned the news. She said,
“I remember it so vividly. It really impacted me. We were so bonded to these people, and to lose such an important member of the team…I’ve put everything into this character. I started [‘Witcher’] having not much work under my belt, and this show means the world to me. So it hurt.”
The Future of The Witcher Extends Beyond One Actor
Despite the significant change in the lead role, Hissrich emphasized that The Witcher as a show will persist. She stated,
“We never really had serious conversations about the show not continuing. The show is bigger than one actor. It’s bigger than me. There’s a book series, there’s a video game. We are the third entry into this. So ‘The Witcher’ lives whether or not we go.”
Upcoming Season Marks Hemsworth’s Debut as Geralt
The Witcher Season 3, which premiered in two parts in June and July 2023, was Cavill’s final performance as Geralt. The fourth season is scheduled to launch on Netflix on October 30, marking Liam Hemsworth’s debut as the series’ lead. This casting change follows an intense period of fan reaction and adjustment but positions the show to continue its narrative under new stewardship.
