How That ‘Witcher’ Recasting Went Down—and What to Count on From New Star Liam Hemsworth

The Witcher returns to Netflix October 30, with a moderately giant change for followers to anticipate. TV stars don’t typically simply up and go away their exhibits, particularly when the present is a success they usually play the title character. However that’s what occurred again in October 2022, when Liam Hemsworth was announced as the brand new Gerald of Rivia, changing Henry Cavill.

The stunning recasting (awkwardly) got here earlier than Cavill’s final season aired in summer season 2023, the present’s third. Whereas the present was in manufacturing on season 4 in April 2024—its first with Hemsworth—Netflix revealed The Witcher would come to an finish after its fifth season.

Information of Cavill’s departure was accompanied by a warm post on social media, wherein he stated goodbye whereas additionally welcoming Hemsworth aboard. Whereas followers hoped that perhaps Cavill’s sudden about-face from being DC’s Superman (that’s a whole other thing) would possibly imply he’d be returning to play Geralt in any case, that clearly didn’t occur. Hemworth was in place. He had the wig on and every thing.

Behind the scenes, staff Witcher had virtually as troublesome a time with Cavill’s departure as followers did, it appears. In a brand new interview with Entertainment Weekly, government producer Lauren Hissrich stated, “He had plans for different roles that he actually needed to commit himself to. And for us, you don’t wish to maintain somebody and pressure them to be doing one thing that they don’t wish to do. I believe that’s why it felt like a extremely symbiotic choice.”

Co-stars Anya Chalotra (Yennefer) and Freya Allan (Ciri) had been shocked, with Chalotra saying “I cried” when she heard the information.

Hemworth instructed EW that the provide to play Geralt “got here out of nowhere,” although Hissrich stated he was the primary potential star they spoke to when searching for a Cavill alternative. (She additionally revealed there have been by no means “critical conversations” about ending the present with Cavill’s departure, as a result of “the present is greater than one actor.”)

As for the hubbub as soon as the casting was revealed, Hemsworth stated, “I needed to put that apart. It began to change into a distraction … on the finish of the day, I like making films and I like telling tales and performing. I simply don’t need any of that to have an effect on my method of telling the story that I’m attempting to inform. I jumped off social media and the web most of final 12 months.”

Hemsworth hopes followers received’t evaluate his efficiency to what got here earlier than, however that’s 100% what everybody goes to do. It’s inevitable. And, as Hissrich instructed EW, sure features of Cavill’s Geralt will echo into season 4. “It was actually vital to [Hemsworth] to have sure issues [for] continuity,” she stated. “And likewise sure issues that he may invent in order that his Geralt may stand on his personal two ft.”

Added Chalotra, “You’ve received two very totally different individuals main the present, and we’re so impacted by that power. It brings in a brand new power, too.”

Learn way more about The Witcher‘s upcoming season at Entertainment Weekly. Season 4 arrives October 30 on Netflix.

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