In a surprising development for fans of Netflix’s flagship fantasy series, Henry Cavill, who portrayed Geralt of Rivia, announced his departure following the third season, which aired in summer 2023. This news rocked the passionate fanbase, as Cavill was not only the show‘s lead but also an avid admirer of The Witcher source material.
The series originally planned for seven seasons, yet Cavill’s exit came earlier than many expected. Liam Hemsworth, known for his work in The Hunger Games franchise, was confirmed as his replacement to star in the fourth and fifth seasons, which were filmed consecutively. This recasting decision has drawn intense scrutiny due to Cavill’s deep connection to Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels and his popular portrayal of the character.
Reasons Behind Henry Cavill’s Departure
Following the announcement of Cavill’s exit, speculation ran rampant about disagreements with the writers or dissatisfaction with deviations from the books. However, Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich, the showrunner, clarified that Cavill left to pursue other acting opportunities, and no creative conflicts forced his departure.
Shortly after news of leaving The Witcher, Cavill shared an Instagram video confirming his return as Superman, following a brief cameo in Black Adam’s post-credits scene. Despite this, his comeback as the iconic superhero faced an unexpected setback when James Gunn revealed that Cavill’s version was cut amid a broader DC Universe reboot at DC Studios.
Currently, Cavill is involved in leading roles for projects such as the Highlander reboot and a Warhammer 40,000 television adaptation, highlighting his continued momentum in the entertainment industry.
Responding to the shift in casting, Schmidt-Hissrich commented:
I think it’s been really interesting to talk to people about it, because it feels like new information out in the world, but we’ve lived through this for so long, and I think Henry has gone off, he’s happy, and is doing wonderful things. And he originated this character. He was brilliant at it.
Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich, Showrunner
And I think we opened a new chapter, and now we’re with Liam, and I think it really is about just embracing where we’re at and staying present. And we’re just excited for everyone to see what Liam can now do.
Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich, Showrunner
Liam Hemsworth: Taking Up the Witcher’s Mantle
Liam Hemsworth was announced as the new Geralt of Rivia shortly after Cavill’s departure was made public. The Australian actor, famous for his role in The Hunger Games franchise, has openly expressed admiration for Cavill’s portrayal and shared that being a Witcher fan himself played a key role in his decision to accept the challenging role.
In an exclusive with RadioTimes.com, Hemsworth admitted he initially had reservations about joining a series with such a dedicated and established following, saying he was
a lot of concerns and questions about it all
.
Hemsworth stated:
I was a big fan of the video game and then I watched the series, and was a fan of the series, and I read the books.
Liam Hemsworth, Actor
Addressing his hesitation further, he explained:
Just the situation [of] coming into a series that’s already established a really passionate fanbase. I appreciate these fans, and I appreciate the fact that they care so much about it.
Liam Hemsworth, Actor
I think if I wasn’t a fan myself, if I didn’t care about it, I wouldn’t have come on board. The reason I came on board was because I was a fan, and because I thought that I could do justice to this character. I thought that could bring an interesting interpretation to this part of the story.
Liam Hemsworth, Actor
Hemsworth expressed particular excitement about exploring Geralt’s evolving emotional journey, saying:
where Geralt is at this part of the story – his emotional state, and where he’s heading
.
He continued:
I think he’s in a very real place of change and a place that I don’t think he’s been in often in his life. There’s a lot of doubt and confusion and worry.
Liam Hemsworth, Actor
The upcoming season adapts the novel Baptism of Fire, focusing on the creation of Geralt’s group called the Hansa, who embark on a dangerous mission to Nilfgaard to rescue Ciri.
Hemsworth further described Geralt’s interactions within his newfound company:
It’s through these other people around him that he sees how much love and care and how much they believe in his journey and his mission right now, yeah, that he’s able to lean on them and accept that, help that you know, that he’s really able to push forward and find himself again and find a new version of himself.
Liam Hemsworth, Actor
Managing the Transition Between Two Lead Actors
Replacing a lead as iconic as Henry Cavill was a delicate task, but according to Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich, the team approached the change thoughtfully, prioritizing key visual and character traits while allowing Hemsworth’s interpretation to shine.
She explained:
We knew there were things that we knew that were really important to keep with Geralt – obviously, his look has to stay the same.
Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich, Showrunner
He’s a different human being, but I think there’s so many things that are sort of synonymous with Geralt, the white wig and the yellow eyes and the black leather and not wearing any colour, and the way he walks through the world.
Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich, Showrunner
Those things had to stay but really, those conversations were so driven by Liam the first time that we met.
Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich, Showrunner
Whether the recast will satisfy dedicated fans remains to be seen, but anticipation surrounds the arrival of The Witcher’s fourth season.
The Witcher season 4 is now available to stream on Netflix, where new viewers and returning fans can watch Geralt’s continuing journey unfold.
Looking Ahead: The Future of The Witcher Series
The shift from Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth marks a significant turning point in the life of The Witcher TV series. With filming completed for seasons four and five, audiences can expect further exploration of Andrzej Sapkowski’s beloved saga, enriched by a new take on the central character.
Though change often causes unease among passionate viewers, the dedication of both actors to the role suggests that the show plans to maintain its core identity while evolving storylines deepen Geralt’s complexity. How this will influence the series’ long-term success will become clearer as more episodes arrive on-screen.
