Over a year ago, reports revealed that Henry Cavill would not be returning as Geralt of Rivia after The Witcher Season 3. While any significant reason for his departure was not revealed, the showrunners subsequently announced that the Australian actor Liam Hemsworth would be replacing Cavill in the future seasons of the show.

Liam Hemsworth | Credit: Lionsgate
Despite initial dissatisfaction among fans regarding the recasting, even leading one of the show’s actors to address the situation, opinions seem to have shifted dramatically as the first look of Hemsworth in the role of Geralt of Rivia is revealed.

Fans Are Intrigued With Liam Hemsworth’s First Look in The Witcher

Portraying the titular character for 3 seasons in the hit Netflix show The Witcher, Henry Cavill became a fan favorite. His embodiment of the iconic character, coupled with his evident passion for the source material, further solidified his connection with viewers.
Henry Cavill in The Witcher | Credit: Netflix
When the news emerged that he would depart the show post Season 3, fans were notably disheartened. Following his departure, Liam Hemsworth was revealed as the new Geralt of Rivia, succeeding Cavill, but initially, he wasn’t greeted warmly.

Nonetheless, with the latest set images from The Witcher revealing Hemsworth’s debut appearance in the Netflix fantasy series, fans appear to be reconsidering. The photos display the star of The Hunger Games sporting the iconic long, white hair associated with Cavill’s portrayal in the series.

The casting has sparked significant excitement among fans, who have expressed their opinions on Twitter. “He actually looks better than Henry Cavill,” commented one fan. Others have noted that while he isn’t Cavill, he seems very promising in the role of Geralt of Rivia.

Additionally, some fans have observed that Hemsworth’s appearance is more in line with the character’s portrayal in the books, where Geralt is described as slender, contrasting with Cavill’s bulkier version. Despite some initial skepticism regarding his casting, Hemsworth has certainly piqued the interest of the fanbase.

The Witcher Star Urged Fans to Give Liam Hemsworth a Chance

Freya Allan, known for portraying Princess Cirilla of Cintra, aka Ciri, in the Netflix drama, has urged fans to give Liam Hemsworth a fair opportunity. In a recent interview with Collider, the actress shared that she feels “sorry” for her co-star, who has been putting so much effort into preparing for his role in The Witcher.
Freya Allan | Credit: Netflix
“I feel sorry for him,” she stated, then continued, “Primarily because that fan base can be quite aggressive, and stepping into someone else’s role is far from ideal.” She also expressed hope that fans would keep an open mind and allow the actor to present his own take on the character. “I just hope people will give him a fair chance,” she added.

The favorable response to Hemsworth’s debut as Geralt of Rivia suggests that fans may heed Allan’s plea to give the Arkansas actor a fair shot at embodying the cherished character. While Season 4 is under production, its release date remains undisclosed. Netflix has confirmed that the series will end with its fifth season.

The Witcher is available to stream on Netflix.