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The fourth season of Netflix’s hit series “The Witcher” introduces some fresh faces, most notably with Liam Hemsworth stepping into the iconic role of Geralt of Rivia, succeeding Henry Cavill. Hemsworth takes on this mantle amidst considerable anticipation, while Laurence Fishburne makes his debut as the fan-favorite character, Regis, adding a new dynamic to the show’s ensemble.
Susie Allnutt/Netflix
Fishburne’s portrayal of Regis, whose full name is Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy, offers a unique twist on the traditional vampire archetype. Regis, intriguingly, is the first vampire in “The Witcher” universe who abstains from drinking blood. This deviation from the norm sparked Fishburne’s interest. “Part of the reason I wanted to do this show is because Regis is a vampire who doesn’t drink blood,” he shared with Netflix, noting how this fresh perspective appealed to him.
Despite the mixed reactions to the casting changes, Fishburne’s performance as Regis stands out as a highlight of the new season. Although “The Witcher” Season 4 faced criticism and didn’t quite hit the mark for Netflix, Fishburne’s character provides a compelling reason to stay tuned for forthcoming developments.
Regis holds a significant place within the “Witcher” lore. Introduced in the fifth book, “Baptism of Fire,” Regis is depicted as a vampire over four centuries old, who once struggled with a blood addiction. However, he has since renounced his former ways, allowing him to accompany Geralt and his companions in daylight.
His journey is pivotal as Regis becomes an integral part of Geralt’s team, appearing in subsequent novels such as “The Tower of the Swallow” and “The Lady of the Lake.” Additionally, Regis’s story extends into the gaming world, notably in “The Witcher 3” and its expansion, “Blood and Wine,” where his narrative takes unexpected turns, highlighting his resilience and the rich tapestry of his character’s adventures.
Who is Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy?
Susie Allnutt/Netflix
Laurence Fishburne’s character has a long history in the “Witcher” series. Regis was introduced in the fifth book of the series, “Baptism of Fire.” In that book, fans learned that Regis is more than four hundred years old and that he was addicted to drinking blood in the early years of his vampiric life. Since then, Regis has given up blood, and he’s able to walk in the daylight alongside Geralt and his other party members.
Regis goes on to become an important member of Geralt’s team. He appears in “The Tower of the Swallow” and again in “The Lady of the Lake,” the final book of the series. Regis also appears in “The Witcher 3,” and the game’s expansion, “Blood and Wine,” retcons his death. In the game, after Regis is destroyed by Vilgefortz de Roggeveen, another vampire named Dettlaff van der Eretein finds the last bits of his remains and slowly nurses him back to health, setting Regis off on a new batch of adventures.
Some people think that Netflix’s “The Witcher” should have ended after Season 3, but if that had happened, fans would have never gotten to see Fishburne’s take on Regis. The show and Fishburne have given fans a more-or-less faithful adaptation of Regis so far, though there’s no telling where the story will go. “The Witcher” wraps up after its fifth season, so, one way or another, the writers will need to give their version of Regis a definitive ending.
