Netflix replaced Henry Cavill with Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher Season 4, even going so far as to reshoot scenes from previous seasons to feature Hemsworth instead. This move, intended to ease viewer adjustment to the recasting, sparked a significant reaction among fans eager to see how the transition would be handled within the show’s narrative.
Season 4 starts with a recap of events from past seasons but cleverly avoids showing close-ups of Cavill’s Geralt. Instead, the show uses an in-universe explanation for Geralt’s new appearance, portraying scenes through the perspective of a storyteller narrating events that happened roughly a century earlier. In this way, the change in actor fits the story’s framework, as the character appears different due to the passage of time and the unreliable nature of oral history.
How The Witcher Used In-Universe Narration to Introduce Geralt’s New Look
The season opens with a storyteller recounting key moments from Geralt’s past, including the encounter with the kikimora that originally appeared in Season 1, Episode 1. Rather than using Henry Cavill’s portrayal, the reenactments display Hemsworth as Geralt, subtly adjusted to explain the change in appearance. For instance, while the scenes echo those in Season 1, certain details—such as Geralt’s wetness—are altered, supporting the narrative device of a story told from memory rather than direct experience.
The Season 4 premiere also includes reenactments of important interactions, like Geralt’s reunion with Freya Allen’s Cirilla (Ciri) from the Season 1 finale. These scenes differ stylistically to emphasize that the narration offers a subjective recounting of past events. This storytelling method draws heavily on the approach from Andrzej Sapkowski’s original novels, which present the Witcher tales through multiple perspectives, sometimes conflicting and inconsistent.
By adapting this narrative style, the show’s creators provide a rational and creative explanation for Geralt’s altered appearance without breaking the immersive world-building fans expect.
Insight From The Witcher’s Creator on Revisiting Earlier Scenes
Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, the showrunner and creator of The Witcher, revealed in a GamesRadar interview why the team chose to reshoot and modify earlier scenes featuring Cavill’s Geralt. This approach not only aligned with the source material’s focus on storytelling but also facilitated the introduction of Hemsworth in a respectful and meaningful way.
Hissrich explained,
“I had this idea really early on, and I thought there was a cool opportunity to do two things. One, we have this storytime narrator. This is something that’s in the books that we love. ‘The Witcher’ always comments on how important stories are… but also how storytellers change stories. We thought that was a cool way to comment on that.”
— Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Creator and Showrunner
She noted that the flashbacks helped bring Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri into the same frame briefly, despite their separation in the current storyline. This moment reminded viewers of the powerful family unit they form and the central conflict motivating their journey.
Hissrich added,
“We needed the opportunity to see them together a little bit. We needed to remind the audience what this family looks like, what they’re fighting for.”
— Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Creator and Showrunner
Furthermore, the creative team intentionally allowed imperfections in the flashbacks to reflect different points of view, reinforcing the idea that history, especially when recounted orally, changes over time. The altered sequences provided an organic justification for Hemsworth’s portrayal while respecting the fans’ connection to the original performances.
In her words,
“We had this ability to go back, recreate some of the more iconic scenes, but also get details wrong [and] make sure it looks different. It feels like it’s from a slightly different POV.”
— Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Creator and Showrunner
The Foundation of the Recasting Within The Witcher Universe
The decision to overlay Hemsworth’s image onto earlier episodes fits within the Witcher’s broader narrative themes. Stories within the Continent are often presented via conflicting accounts or altered memory, illustrating how truth can become distorted through repetition and perspective changes. By integrating recasting into the lore itself, Netflix’s approach respects the established universe and its thematic focus on the fluidity of storytelling.
This transition also sets the stage for the story’s development moving forward, as the central characters strive to reunite and confront the forces threatening their world. The recasting becomes part of the storytelling fabric rather than just a behind-the-scenes change, helping maintain the tension and engagement that fans expect from the series.
Ultimately, the strategy reflects the creators’ commitment to preserving the narrative’s integrity while managing practical production considerations. It also provides a unique way to address an otherwise difficult shift in casting for a beloved character.
