The Witcher star Anya Chalotra says she is okay with Liam Hemsworth replacing Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia.
"I'm not worried. He's going to be brilliant. I really think so. I mean, we've spent five years going on this journey together, and I'm so excited for Henry," Chalotra, who portrays Yennefer of Vengerberg, the Netflix series, told Digital Spy. "At some point, that had to come to an end, his portrayal of Geralt, and that's been incredible. We've had such a wonderful time with him. But also bringing in new people to this journey we're on is so exciting at this stage."
When asked if there was any part of the relationship between Cavill's Geralt and Yennefer that she would want to preserve, Chalotra explained that the characters are bigger than the actors bringing them to life on screen. "I know their relationship means a lot to people who love the books. It's also just so complex, and in every stage, there's something else to be found. I mean, they're 100-odd years old, and they're still going [laughs]. They still love each other. There's something there."
The Witcher Season 3 Marks the End of an Era for Geralt of Rivia
The Witcher Season 3 is the latest installment of the fantasy series adapted from novels of the same name by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski. The story chronicles the adventures of the titular monster hunter. Although the series has received mixed reviews, it has earned a devoted fanbase, largely attributed to Cavill's portrayal of Geralt of Rivia. Despite receiving praise for skillfully embodying the iconic character, the third season will be Cavill's last.
Liam Hemsworth will take up the mantle in Season 4, a decision that prompted a surge of disappointment among fans. However, executive producers Steve Gaub and Tomek Baginski previously reassured viewers that the transition between Cavill and Hemsworth as Geralt would be seamless, drawing inspiration from Sapkowski's novels. "I think [Cavill] left with his head held high and passing the reins as many franchises end up doing," Gaub said. "We're going to be in great hands with Liam."
"We're looking forward to the new explorations of Geralt with a new person behind it, a new actor, and a new face," Baginski added that fans of the books would recognize the story they have drawn from to explain Cavill's exit from The Witcher. "I don't want to get too emotional, but it was a great journey to have Henry Cavill on this show, and we will miss him," he said. "But, at the same time, we have a very, very good plan to introduce our new vision for Geralt with Liam. It's very lore accurate.
The Witcher Seasons 1 through 3 are streaming on Netflix.
Source: Digital Spy