Taking over the role of Geralt of Rivia from Henry Cavill in The Witcher was a daunting prospect for Liam Hemsworth. The actor has revealed he was initially “hesitant and unsure” about stepping into the lead role midway through the Netflix series. However, a combination of his personal history with the franchise and strong support from the show’s creator gave him the confidence to accept the challenge and put his own stamp on the White Wolf for Season 4, which premieres on October 30, 2025.
From Playing the Game to Becoming Geralt
Long before he was cast, Liam Hemsworth was a fan of The Witcher universe. He describes himself as a “bit of a secret gamer” and a longtime fan of the character from the video games. The opportunity to actually become Geralt felt surreal.
“I was such a big fan of this character, so it was a bit of those pinch-yourself moments of walking around in this costume that a few years ago I was playing a video game of,” Hemsworth said.
Despite his fandom, the actor admitted that the offer initially gave him pause. Stepping into a beloved character after another actor has already defined the role for three seasons is an unusual challenge. Hemsworth shared that his agent first contacted him about the role while he was in Australia.
The Convincing Factor: Showrunner Support
The key factor that convinced Hemsworth to take on the role was a conversation with the show’s creator, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich. Her vision and support eased his doubts about the mid-series transition.
“I felt like I was going to have the support and the confidence that I needed to really pull it off,” Hemsworth recalled.
Hissrich never had any doubts about the casting. From their first meeting, she felt Hemsworth was the right person to carry the character forward into the show’s next chapter.
“The very first time that I met with Liam Hemsworth, in my gut, I knew that he would make a perfect Geralt for us in Season 4,” Hissrich said. She noted that he was honest about what he liked from earlier seasons and had ideas for how he could shift the character.
An Intense Physical Transformation
Once he committed, Hemsworth began a rigorous training regimen. He relocated to London months before filming started to immerse himself in physical and sword-fighting training. The 2023 Writers Guild strike, while disruptive to production, gave him even more time to prepare.
The results were striking. Hissrich recalled that when she saw Hemsworth after the five-month break, “He was enormous โ the most fit man Iโve ever seen. He has put forth this effort to physically transition himself into Geralt.”
Producer Tomasz Bagiลski emphasized the specific physicality required for the role, calling it a “warrior dancer” blend of fluid motion, speed, and sword skill. Stunt coordinator Marcus Shakesheff praised Hemsworth’s quick learning and hard work, saying the actor has “smashed it” from day one.
A New Geralt for a New Chapter
Hemsworth’s version of Geralt will have its own distinct characteristics while staying true to the core of the character. Showrunner Hissrich has indicated that this Geralt will have a slightly different tone, a bit more humor, and will be more emotionally open.
“Liam loves to curse, and weโve brought cursing back,” Hissrich noted.
The visual design also reflects this new chapter. Geralt will now sport a signature facial scar, a detail meant to show his history of survival. His costume has been updated by designer Lucinda Wright, who incorporated Hemsworth’s suggestion for a look inspired by a motorcycle jacket, adapting it for the medieval fantasy setting.
Finding His Place on the Continent
Joining a close-knit cast in its fourth season was another challenge. Hemsworth likened it to “starting high school halfway through and everyone’s already friends.” The cast and crew helped ease his nerves by being incredibly welcoming.
The showrunner organized social events and dinners to help build personal connections before the actors had to establish their character relationships. A gathering at Hemsworth’s house and a memorable, tipsy evening with co-star Joey Batey, who plays Jaskier, helped forge real friendships.
Freya Allan, who plays Ciri, said of the early gathering at his home, “He was very passionateโฆ I’m excited to see what it is he has done.”
The Road to Season 4
The Witcher Season 4 continues the story after the Continent-altering events of Season 3. Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri are separated by war. Geralt’s main driving force is to find and protect Ciri, teaming up with a group of allies known as the Hanza. The season will also introduce new characters, including Laurence Fishburne as the wise barber-surgeon Regis.
The new season begins streaming on October 30, 2025, on Netflix. Season 4 is the first of a two-part conclusion for the series, with the story set to conclude in a fifth and final season.
Also Read: The Witcher Season 4 Trailer Out: Liam Hemsworth Is the New Geralt in the Fight for Ciri
