The Witcher Season 4, now streaming on Netflix, marks a significant shift with Liam Hemsworth taking over the role of Geralt of Rivia from Henry Cavill, putting a fresh spin on the character’s journey. Fans are witnessing not just a change in actor but also a deliberate evolution in the story that reshapes Geralt’s role within the ongoing saga.
The Unfolding Storyline in The Witcher Season 4
Set against a backdrop of political maneuvers rather than solely monster hunts, Season 4 opens with Geralt recovering from critical injuries sustained in the previous season’s dramatic finale. Accompanied by his trusted companions, or hansa — including allies Jaskier (Joey Batey), Milva (Meng’er Zhang), and Zoltan Chivay (Danny Woodburn) — Geralt sets out to locate Ciri (Freya Allan), who is believed to be dead following a recent coup. During this mission, Geralt forms a bond with the vampire herbalist Regis (Laurence Fishburne) and reluctantly welcomes the disillusioned Cahir (Eamon Farren) into his group. Meanwhile, Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) channels her guilt into a strategic endeavor by creating the Lodge of Sorceresses, assembling surviving mages to form a counterforce against the antagonist Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu).
As Geralt and his hansa encounter war refugees, endure witch trials, and face cursed creatures, Ciri’s arc unfolds separately far to the South. Under the alias Falka, she becomes part of the outlaw group called the Rats, embarking on a rebellious and violent path that distances her from her royal past. Though she believes this new life offers freedom, bounty hunters close in, intent on capturing her for the highest bidder.
Yennefer successfully rallies other sorceresses and establishes a stronghold at Montecalvo. Vesemir (Peter Mullan) and other witchers join them as Vilgefortz’s cruel plan unfolds: abducting mages to control portal travel through draining their power. The resulting siege leads to heavy losses, including the death of Vesemir. In the dramatic Season 4 climax, Geralt leads his hansa into the Battle of the Yaruga, triumphing and earning knighthood from Queen Meve, which also ties him to her cause. With her portal powers restored, Yennefer departs to pursue Vilgefortz alone, while Ciri witnesses the merciless bounty hunter Leo Bonhart (Sharlto Copley) slaughtering members of her new chosen family.
Why Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt Plays a More Subdued Role This Season
The transition from Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth’s portrayal of Geralt has resulted in a notably different character presence, where Hemsworth’s Geralt plays a more reserved part in Season 4, by design. The first three seasons charted Geralt’s development from a relentless monster hunter into a protective guardian and fierce defender of Ciri, deeply intertwined with Yennefer’s fate.
With multiple powerful enemies such as Emperor Emhyr (Bart Edwards), the Brotherhood, Redania, and the Wild Hunt all vying for Ciri’s incredible power, Geralt’s protective role was prominent. However, her disappearance after the Season 3 finale forces Geralt into a new position—no longer her immediate defender but a seeker following clues, while grappling with his inability to shield her from danger. This season shows Geralt journeying north, accompanied by his hansa, engaged more in survival than heroic action.
Season 4 also demonstrates Geralt’s teaching legacy, as Ciri proves capable of defending herself. Early in the season, in the episode “Dream of a Wish Fulfilled,” Ciri participates in a heist with the Rats gang. After an aborted escape plan, she intervenes decisively, fighting off guards and outwitting pursuers to protect the group, signifying her transformation from a sheltered princess to an empowered warrior equipped to face the perilous world.
Geralt’s Emotional Growth Takes Center Stage in the New Season
Compared to previous seasons where Geralt’s physical confrontations dominated, Season 4 shifts focus to his internal and emotional journey. This softer, more introspective Geralt contrasts sharply with Yennefer, who actively fights Vilgefortz amidst the chaos of mage massacres. Geralt’s screen time is comparatively limited, highlighting the season’s intention to explore his humanity over his prowess as a fighter.
The support from his hansa, including Jaskier’s encouragement to rest after the brutal battle with Vilgefortz in Season 3, shepherds Geralt toward emotional healing. The enigmatic vampire Regis plays a crucial role in helping mend Geralt’s physical wounds and prompts him to embrace his feelings rather than block them out. Regis reminds Geralt that his dreams and compassion are not weaknesses but rather essential guides in the search for Ciri.
This emotional evolution culminates in a pivotal moment during the episode
“What I Love I Do Not Carry,”
when Geralt confronts a Rusalka in the cursed Ysgith Swamp. His sword proves ineffective against the supernatural spirits, forcing him to face illusions of Yennefer and Ciri that embody his grief and love. Accepting his vulnerability and embracing his identity as a father figure empowers Geralt to break the curse and save his friends. This growing emotional depth, portrayed through Hemsworth’s performance, underscores a profound internal victory, setting his Geralt apart as more than just a monster slayer.
The Larger Impact on The Witcher Franchise
Liam Hemsworth’s introduction as Geralt in Season 4 signals a new chapter for The Witcher series that honors Henry Cavill’s legacy while steering the character and story into fresh territory. The softer, more somber take on Geralt’s character emphasizes emotional complexity and maturation over brute strength, inviting viewers to explore new dimensions of the Witcher universe. This evolution may pave the way for future storylines that balance political intrigue, raw emotional conflict, and fantastical elements.
As Geralt’s role shifts from primary protector to a more reflective figure wrestling with his inner turmoil, the series opens space for Ciri and Yennefer to carry significant narrative weight. With Geralt tied to Queen Meve’s cause and Yennefer pursuing Vilgefortz on her own, alliances will be tested, and new battles are likely on the horizon, maintaining intense tension within the Continent’s fragile power dynamics.
For longtime fans of the show, this season offers both a farewell to Henry Cavill’s defining portrayal and an invitation to embrace the changes that Hemsworth brings, promising a layered continuation of The Witcher’s mythos.
