The creator of The Witcher has revealed the specific quality that made Liam Hemsworth the perfect choice to take over the role of Geralt of Rivia for the show’s fourth season. With the new season arriving on October 30, showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich is explaining the casting decision that has been the subject of intense fan discussion.
The One Quality That Sealed the Deal
According to show creator Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, the decision to cast Liam Hemsworth was solidified by one key attribute: his ability to convey deep emotion. She pointed out that Hemsworth brings a “real emotional depth” and “vulnerability” to the character, which was essential for Geralt’s story arc in the new season.
“What I thought he brought to that character was this real sort of emotional depth and this vulnerability and the ability to sort of be falling in love, but also be part of this really scopic world,” Hissrich stated.
This emotional capacity was crucial because Season 4 finds Geralt in a more broken state than ever before. The showrunner needed an actor who could portray a complex warrior grappling with profound loss.
A Broken Geralt in Season 4
The story for The Witcher Season 4 picks up with Geralt at his lowest point. He is physically and emotionally shattered after his brutal defeat by the mage Vilgefortz at the end of Season 3. Compounding his physical pain, he has also lost his daughter Ciri and the love of his life, Yennefer.
“When we find Geralt in season four, he’s at the lowest place he’s ever been. He’s a broken man,” Hissrich explained. “He’s been beaten by Vilgefortz. He’s injured. He’s in pain, not to mention, obviously, he has lost his daughter. He doesn’t know where she is. He’s lost the love of his life.”
This narrative shift required a Geralt who was more than just a stoic action hero. The showrunner emphasized that Hemsworth excels at showing vulnerability without sacrificing the character’s core strength.
“Liam does such a beautiful job of walking that line of being able to be emotional without being weak; to be vulnerable, without being fully exposed all the time,” Hissrich said.
Confidence from the First Day on Set
Hissrich’s confidence in the casting choice was confirmed the moment Hemsworth began filming. She recalls seeing him perfectly blend the character’s emotional depth with his powerful physical presence, erasing any lingering doubts.
“When he landed the first day, and he brought these two things together, that sort of emotional character piece and this sort of hulking physicality, we knew we’d made the right choice,” Hissrich shared.
This sentiment was echoed by Hemsworth’s new co-stars. Laurence Fishburne, who joins the cast as the fan-favorite character Regis, praised Hemsworth’s performance.
“Liam has done a magnificent job embodying Geralt of Rivia,” Fishburne said. “He’s brought a depth to it; he’s brought his humor, his humanity, and his intelligence to it. I think people are gonna fall in love with him.”
Joey Batey, who plays Jaskier, highlighted the intense preparation Hemsworth undertook for the role. “He certainly brought an energy. The man is relentless. He was training and preparing and researching and everything. And he turned up fully formed. He really did just know his stuff.”
A New Chapter for the White Wolf
The Witcher Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix, beginning the final chapter of the epic fantasy series and introducing audiences to Liam Hemsworth’s take on the iconic White Wolf.
Also Read: The Witcher Season 4: New Episode Titles and a New Geralt Arrive This October
