Geralt of Rivia has battled countless monsters throughout his adventures, but after four seasons, the greatest challenge he faces might be his own changing personality, particularly as portrayed in the newest season of the Netflix series.
Most people, whether they enjoy the show or not, agree that Henry Cavill was a major reason for The Witcher’s popularity. He seemed perfectly suited to the role of Geralt, bringing the character to life in every scene – from action sequences to quiet moments. It truly felt like he was born to play the part.
When Henry Cavill unexpectedly left The Witcher after three seasons, fans were understandably shocked. It was hard to picture the show without him, but showrunner Lauren Schmidt-Hissrich had to find a way to move forward. That’s when Liam Hemsworth, a similarly physically imposing actor, was brought in to take over the role.
Even before photos of him wearing the wig appeared online, many fans had already criticized Hemsworth, saying he wasn’t right for the role. It was a difficult role to take on, following a popular actor. The fact that Liam is six centimeters taller than the previous actor didn’t seem to matter to some.
The release of season 4 trailers didn’t improve things, especially because one scene showed Geralt, played by Henry Cavill, intensely urging his companions forward with a strong, expletive-filled command: ‘Let’s go!’
Many dedicated fans felt let down by this moment, seeing it as a departure from what made The Witcher special. They argued the dialogue didn’t fit Geralt’s character, and some also criticized how the actor, Liam Hemsworth, delivered the line.
Honestly, Liam was set up for criticism no matter what he did. If he copied Henry Cavill’s performance too closely, people would say he was just a weak copy. But if he tried to make the character his own, he risked losing what made Geralt, Geralt.
From the start, Hemsworth faced a difficult challenge – fans weren’t likely to accept a change to his iconic look. And wearing a convincing, shiny white wig of that style is no easy feat.
Despite the challenges surrounding his casting, I think Hemsworth joining the show is actually perfect timing. Given where Geralt is in his story right now, replacing Cavill makes a lot of sense.
Witchers usually stay out of human problems. As Geralt points out in the latest season, their job is simply to hunt monsters for money. But this Witcher is different – he’s no longer sticking to that old way of life.
Though the latest season feels like a return to the show’s roots, Geralt has changed a lot over the past three seasons. He’s found love with Yennefer, taken on a fatherly role with Ciri, and even formed a close, playfully flirtatious friendship with Jaskier.
Throughout his journey, Geralt of Rivia has grown surprisingly close to humanity, and season 4 continues this trend as he finds himself at the head of a new alliance built on strong friendships.
Geralt’s journey took an unexpected turn, but here we are. He’s evolved from the solitary monster hunter we first met in season one into someone who’s experienced friendship, love, and even fatherhood – a far cry from the man Henry Cavill originally portrayed.
Season 4 really highlights this point. In Hemsworth’s first appearance, Jaskier explains that Geralt has been different ever since he was hurt and lost people he cared about.
The series consistently highlights Geralt’s growth and newfound willingness to express his feelings, most clearly when a new character, played by Laurence Fishburne, points out that he’s changing. This observation rings true – the Geralt from earlier seasons wouldn’t have been able to place his trust in someone like the vampire Regis, but this new Geralt is different.
Look, I get why they’re hammering home this particular trait for Hemsworth’s character. It feels like a deliberate move to set him apart from Cavill’s take on the same role. Honestly, it’s exactly the kind of self-aware wink the show loves to give its audience – they know we’re comparing, and they’re playing with that.
Geralt has changed, so any differences in how Hemsworth portrays him simply reflect that evolution. It’s natural for an actor to bring their own interpretation to a character who isn’t the same as they once were.
Liam isn’t quite as strong as Henry in the role, but it’s more complicated than just saying he’s doing a bad job. The biggest issue, though, is that the latest episodes aren’t as good as previous seasons.
Honestly, what worries me about The Witcher now isn’t Henry Cavill leaving, it’s the weak writing and the way the plot just seems to wander aimlessly. They’re stretching this season out way too long, and Liam Hemsworth really couldn’t have joined at a more difficult moment, if you ask me.
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2025-10-31 15:39