‘The Witcher’ returns with a new lead as Netflix’s fantasy saga enters its final chapters
LONDON:
Netflix fantasy series The Witcher is returning to screens after more than two years with a new lead and a fresh tone, say its makers.
The new installment, which begins streaming on Thursday, sees Australian actor Liam Hemsworth take over the role of Geralt of Rivia from Henry Cavill, who has played the monster hunter since the series began in 2019 and stopped after 2023’s season three.
Based on Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski’s books, the show follows Geralt as he hunts monsters in a fantasy realm known as the Continent.
“It was definitely an interesting decision to make, it’s a unique situation,” Hemsworth said of taking on the role midway through the series. “It wasn’t lost on me that there’s a massive, passionate fan base that really cares about this character and this world. As a fan myself, I felt like I could bring something to it and I wanted to do this world justice.”
Hemsworth came to the project with “a lot of ideas”, hoping to add some levity to Geralt’s story. “I’m playing my interpretation of what I think will be beneficial to this world, this story and his journey,” he told Reuters.
Creator Lauren Schmidt Hissrich said season four strikes a balance between the dry sense of humor brought by Hemsworth and “super dark moments”. “It feels like a refresher for the show,” she said. “Liam brings a new energy and everyone rose to meet it, including how the show looks, how it sounds, how it moves.”
In season four, Geralt, who was last seen separated from Princess Ciri and sorceress Yennefer, teams up with new traveling companions and forms emotional connections.
Matrix actor Laurence Fishburne is another addition, playing the vampire Regis. New to the fantasy genre, Fishburne was drawn to the diversity he saw in previous seasons. “The way they cast this world was very unconventional. This world is similar to the world we all live in,” he said.
Season four was filmed with the fifth and final season. Together they cover Sapkowski’s three remaining novels baptism of fire, The Swallow’s Tower and Lady of the Lake.
