In 2022, fans of Netflix’s The Witcher were informed that Henry Cavill, who portrayed Geralt of Rivia, would not return for the series’ fourth season. Liam Hemsworth was announced as his replacement, sparking discussions about the adjustments this change would bring. Both Hemsworth and the show’s creator, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, have shared insights into the recasting process and its impact on the storyline and characters.
Choosing the Right Actor to Continue Geralt’s Journey
During an interview with IGN, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich explained that finding the right actor to replace Cavill involved considering multiple key factors. The new Geralt needed to demonstrate a commanding physical presence capable of performing demanding action sequences while also delivering the character’s emotional depth.
“When we were looking at who potentially could fill the shoes of Geralt, there is a physicality that has to be present. You need someone who you can imagine can excel at these action scenes, who has such a physical presence that they could be both intimidating in the story, but also, Geralt has a huge emotional side as well.”
—Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Creator
Ultimately, Hemsworth was selected for this challenging role. Hissrich praised his ability to balance Geralt’s physical toughness with his emotional complexity, noting how Hemsworth naturally merges these elements seamlessly throughout his performances.
“What I really loved about Liam’s work that I had seen is that he was able to organically blend those two things. He didn’t have physical scenes and then emotional scenes. He was able to really carry this specific, I guess I call it, soul. He has a soul that he brings into the role… To have that present even through action scenes when he’s fighting monsters, and it’s the same thing that’s present when he’s having conversations with Ciri or with Yennefer, that was a really special thing that we were able to capture. And when I had watched some of his work, specifically going back to Hunger Games, that’s something that I felt from him.”
—Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Creator
Liam Hemsworth’s Perspective on Portraying Geralt
Liam Hemsworth expressed enthusiasm about taking on the role of Geralt. He described the character as complex, highlighting the emotional challenges Geralt faces in this stage of the story, emphasizing how engaging it was to explore those layers.
“I thought it would be a really great opportunity to dig into this very complex character that, particularly in this part of the story, is dealing with so much. He’s not used to being in a place of doubt and struggle and fear.”
—Liam Hemsworth, Actor
Hemsworth also mentioned his intent to honor Henry Cavill’s previous work while making the role his own, focusing on understanding Geralt’s current emotional state and the character’s path moving forward.
“I understood emotionally where this character was at this point in the story, my job going forward became the same as it as it ever is: I’m just focusing on the direction I’m moving in, and trying to understand why I’m going that way.”
—Liam Hemsworth, Actor
Adjustments Made to Accommodate the New Geralt
Hissrich remarked that the transition between actors required careful rewriting to ensure dialogue sounded authentic with Hemsworth’s Australian accent, differing from Cavill’s British English. This detail, though seemingly minor, played an important role in maintaining the show’s immersive quality.
“We started making adjustments to make sure that things sounded more natural coming out of Liam’s mouth.”
—Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Creator
Moreover, Geralt’s emotional journey has evolved in season four, reaching a more vulnerable and introspective place. The showrunners adapted the storyline and dialogue to reflect this shift, allowing the new Geralt to explore fresh dimensions of the character.
“He is in a more emotional, vulnerable place. So we were able to adjust [for] this new actor coming in.”
—Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Creator
The Show’s Response to the Recasting and Its Impact
Despite the bittersweet moment of losing Henry Cavill, the series embraced Hemsworth’s arrival, which brought renewed energy to Geralt’s character. The creative team appreciated that the actor could reveal sides of Geralt not often emphasized before, such as moments of joy and humor among his companions.
“There is nothing better than when Geralt finds joy and humor, especially in the people that he’s with,”
said Hissrich. She further added,
“That was really great to see in dailies again, that we were able to bring that flavor back.”
This renewal in Geralt’s demeanor is expected to provide fans with a fresh experience while honoring the character’s core essence established in previous seasons.
Looking Ahead to The Witcher Season 4
All eight episodes of The Witcher season 4, featuring Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia alongside Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg, will be released on Netflix on October 30, 2025. This new chapter promises to explore Geralt’s challenges and growth with a hopeful, passionate tone that aligns with the show’s evolving narrative and Hemsworth’s portrayal.
