Prepare for big news from the Continent: our first glimpse at Liam Hemsworth as the Witcher is here, and you can see it above.
Season 4 production is now underway in the United Kingdom. As previously reported in April, Season 4 would be shot concurrently with a fifth and final season, bringing the adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s books to a close.
“It is with great pride that we begin shooting our penultimate season of The Witcher with a stellar cast, including some exciting new additions, led by Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia,” creator and showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich told Netflix when filming began on Season 4. “We’re overjoyed to be able to bring Andrzej Sapkowski’s works to a grand and gratifying finish. It wouldn’t be our show if we didn’t push our cast of characters to their breaking point – stay tuned to see how the narrative concludes.”
The fourth and fifth seasons will focus on Sapkowski’s three remaining books: Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake. As Hissrich noted, Hemsworth will take over the part of Geralt from Henry Cavill, who played the character for the first three seasons.
“My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and swords for Season 4,” Cavill stated in a statement when he and Hemsworth announced the happy news on social media in October 2022. “In my place, the magnificent Mr. Liam Hemsworth will take on the role of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I transfer the torch with gratitude for the time I spent as Geralt and eagerness to read Liam’s perspective on this most fascinating and nuanced of men. Liam, excellent fellow, this character has so much depth to him; enjoy digging in and seeing what you can discover.”
Hemsworth is excited about his new journey. “As a Witcher fan, I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia,” he wrote in a statement. “Henry Cavill has been a fantastic Geralt, and I’m honored that he’s given me the reigns and let me to pick up the White Wolf’s swords for the next chapter of his story. Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for many years and was moved by what you brought to this cherished character. I may have some huge shoes to fill, but I’m really happy to be entering The Witcher world.”
Check out a photo of Season 4’s table read above. Meanwhile, with the help of showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, we go over where we left off at the end of Season 3, how they set the groundwork for what’s to come in Season 4, what to expect from Fishburne’s character, and more.
What does Liam Hemsworth look like as the Witcher?
In the newly released trailer above, Hemsworth is shown donning Geralt’s trademark amulet as he walks through dull, murky territory, turning around to face the ominous squelch of something looming behind him.
How did The Witcher Season 3 end?
Geralt, Ciri (Freya Allan), and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) are separated again at the end of Season 3. After being mercilessly defeated by the deceitful mage Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu), who works for Nilfgaard, Geralt is forced to withdraw and heal from his injuries. However, when Geralt learns that Emhyr (Bart Edwards), the emperor of Nilfgaard, has located his daughter Ciri, he musters all of his strength and sets out to save her with the help of Jaskier (Joey Batey) and Milva (Meng’er Zhang). Fans, however, know that Emhyr does not have the real Ciri; she is a young woman named Teryn (Frances Pooley), one of the elven mage novices kidnapped by Vilgefortz and duped into believing she is Ciri. What about the real Ciri? She is actually off on her.
Following the demolition of the Tor Lara tower, Ciri travels via a portal and ends up in the arid Korath desert. She struggles with her great powers as she navigates the hard terrain. When a band of nomadic traders apprehends her, a group of misfit teens known as the Rats assist her escape. Once liberated, she murders her captor and joins the Rats under the alias Falka, which was inspired by a legendary vicious female rebel.