Share and Follow
Replacing a well-loved actor in a prominent role is a daunting task, and the team behind “The Witcher” experienced this firsthand when Henry Cavill exited the series to explore other opportunities. Curious about why the show’s fourth season didn’t resonate with viewers? Our video above delves into the details.
The most glaring issue with “The Witcher” Season 4 lies in its casting change. With two seasons still in the pipeline, Liam Hemsworth stepped into the role of Geralt, the titular Witcher. While Hemsworth is undeniably charismatic, thanks to his notable role as Gale in “The Hunger Games,” his portrayal of Geralt lacks the innate swagger that Cavill brought to the character. Despite his evident talent, Hemsworth’s performance frequently highlights his shortcomings when compared to Cavill’s. The decision to splice Hemsworth into scenes originally shot by Cavill only made the contrast more pronounced.
Another drawback of the season was the prolonged separation of key characters Ciri (played by Freya Allan), Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), and Geralt, who spend much of the series apart in search of one another. Although they eventually reunite, which is a satisfying moment for dedicated fans, the prolonged wait proved too much for some viewers and critics.
Disappointment among “The Witcher” fans was palpable. One viewer expressed on X, “No hate for Liam Hemsworth, but The Witcher is lifeless without Henry and the way they tried to rewrite the scenes with Liam is cringe enough to not continue,” shared by @thisweirdlife. Another user, @SiSpang12, was less forgiving, describing Hemsworth as “the actual worst” and criticizing his apparent lack of familiarity with the source material, lamenting the absence of Cavill’s unique presence.
The skepticism wasn’t limited to audiences; critics also questioned whether the series should have concluded after its third season. Nick Hilton from The Times awarded the season two stars, remarking that Hemsworth’s portrayal lacked both the physical and emotional weight of Cavill’s iteration, with his “thinner voice” emphasizing these differences. Similarly, Sarah Dempster from The Guardian observed that “Hemsworth, bless his pleather britches, is no Henry Cavill,” criticizing his attempt to mimic Cavill’s distinctive accent and delivery.
Fans aren’t too keen on this new Geralt, either
Netflix
Fans of “The Witcher” are less than thrilled with the results of Season 4. “No hate for Liam Hemsworth, but The Witcher is lifeless without Henry and the way they tried to rewrite the scenes with Liam is cringe enough to not continue,” said @thisweirdlife on X. Others weren’t willing to be quite that respectful, such as @SiSpang12 who called Hemsworth the “actual worst” before stating, “It’s like he’s never seen an episode or looked at any of the source material then went “I’m going to wing this while giving absolutely nothing”. Cavill had such an aura.”
But audiences weren’t the only ones left wondering if “The Witcher” should have ended after Season 3. Critics didn’t hold back their thoughts on Hemsworth’s portrayal, with The Times’ Nick Hilton saying of the actor in a two-star review that, “His Geralt lacks either the physicality or emotional gravitas of Cavill’s, and his thinner voice … accentuates this difference.” The Guardian’s Sarah Dempster was of a likewise mindset with the writer simply stating, “Hemsworth, bless his pleather britches, is no Henry Cavill” after insulting Hemsworth’s attempt at replicating Cavill’s distinct accent and mumbling.
Want to learn more about these blunders and formulate your own opinions on the fourth go-round of “The Witcher?” Click on our video above.
