A new face is bringing one of the most feared characters from The Witcher books to life in Season 4. Sharlto Copley has joined the cast as the ruthless bounty hunter Leo Bonhart, a man who hunts for the thrill of the kill. As the series moves forward with Liam Hemsworth taking on the role of Geralt of Rivia, a new band of heroes and villains is forming, setting the stage for the show’s most intense season yet.
The Scorpion: Sharlto Copley on Playing Leo Bonhart
Sharlto Copley, known for films like District 9 and Chappie, is stepping into the dark and complex boots of Leo Bonhart. In the world of The Witcher, Bonhart is not your average bounty hunter; he is a chilling and formidable figure.
Copley explains his character’s motivation simply: “Leo is a bounty hunter and he hunts Witchers — mostly for fun as well.” He is hired to track down the Rats, the band of outlaws Ciri has joined, and bring “Falka” (Ciri’s new alias) to the Nilfgaardian agent Skellen. While most hunters kill for money, Copley teases that Leo is different, saying, “For Leo, he kills to enjoy the thrill.“
This makes him a direct and terrifying threat to Ciri. According to the books the season is adapting, Bonhart is a cold and brutal tracker, known for his incredible sword-fighting skills and for collecting the medallions of Witchers he has killed.
A New Geralt for a New Journey
The biggest change for Season 4 is, without a doubt, Liam Hemsworth taking over the lead role of Geralt of Rivia from Henry Cavill. The new season picks up after the continent-shattering events of Season 3, with Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri separated and facing a raging war.
From the moment he was cast, Hemsworth immersed himself in the role. He is a self-professed fan of the Witcher video games, calling the opportunity “a bit of those pinch-yourself moments.” He dedicated himself to months of intense physical and sword-fighting training long before filming began. Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich noted that by the time she saw him again after a production break, “He was enormous — the most fit man I’ve ever seen.“
Hemsworth also worked to put his own stamp on the White Wolf. Hissrich shared that in their first meeting, Hemsworth said, “I’d like to bring a sense of humor back to the show.” This, along with a slightly different voice and a more emotional undercurrent, helps define his version of the character. The physical transformation is also marked by a new scar on Geralt’s face and updated, more practical costume.
Ciri’s Dark Transformation
With Geralt and Yennefer on their own paths, Ciri is undergoing a major change. Actress Freya Allan describes her character at the start of Season 4 as “rock ‘n’ roll Ciri.” After losing her powers, Ciri is now relying on her confidence and street-smarts to survive.
She has joined a group of young bandits known as the Rats and has taken on a new, dangerous identity: “She’s taken on the name of Falka,” Allan says. “What Falka represents is this darkness and this brutality and this very hard person, and there’s a coldness there.” This new persona is a direct response to the pain and trauma she endured, and it puts her on a collision course with the merciless Leo Bonhart.
The Fellowship Grows
Geralt is no longer a lone wolf. His mission to find Ciri leads him to form a “hansa” – a fellowship of adventurers. This group includes familiar faces like the bard Jaskier (Joey Batey) and the archer Milva (Meng’er Zhang), as well as exciting new characters.
One of the most anticipated new additions is Laurence Fishburne as Regis, a sophisticated and mysterious barber-surgeon who is actually a “higher vampire.” Fishburne describes his character as a confidant who helps Geralt become more introspective. “Geralt is becoming much more introspective in this season and is really struggling with some deeper emotions,” Fishburne explains. “Through his relationship with Regis, he’s becoming more and more comfortable with that.“
The group also welcomes beloved characters from the books and games, including the dwarf Zoltan Chivay, played by Danny Woodburn, and the spy Stefan Skellen, played by James Purefoy, who is the one who hires Bonhart.
When to Watch
Fans can see Sharlto Copley’s Leo Bonhart and Liam Hemsworth’s debut as Geralt when The Witcher Season 4 arrives on Netflix on October 30, 2025. The season will consist of eight episodes and will set the stage for the already-confirmed fifth and final season.
Also Read: The Witcher Season 3 Recap: Everything to Know Before Season 4
Credits: Netflix Tudum, Variety
