Liam Hemsworth vs. Henry Cavill: My Verdict on the New Geralt from The Witcher

Hey, friends! It's me, your favorite storyteller and fantasy enthusiast. On October 30, 2025, Netflix finally dropped the fourth season of The Witcher, and stepping into the lead role is Liam Hemsworth, taking over from Henry Cavill. I waited for this moment with bated breath—Cavill's exit back in 2022 hit us all like a punch to the gut. But let's break it down: Did the younger Hemsworth pull off Geralt of Rivia? Based on the early critic reviews and my own gut feelings? Absolutely—and then some. Both actors are all muscle and charisma, with a striking physical similarity and a shared on-screen vibe. But in my book, Liam fits the role a hundred times better. Watching him is a genuine pleasure—he breathes life into the character, making him feel real and relatable. Now, let's dive in.Of course, not everyone's thrilled with the face swap. Plenty of fans are still fuming: "No point watching The Witcher without Henry Cavill," they groan in the trailer comments. Or: "If they'd stuck to the original vision, this could've been one of the best shows ever. But what I'm seeing now just bums me out." I get it—Cavill became an icon, his Geralt straight out of a comic book epic. But let's be real: Liam Hemsworth (Chris's little brother, in case you'd forgotten) isn't just mimicking; he's injecting a fresh spark. And that's why I say give him a shot—no skepticism required.

Age: Closer to the canon, younger and more vibrant

Liam's just 35, while Henry's already 42. A mere seven years apart, and Cavill still wields a sword like a pro (check out his latest social media posts!). But in Andrzej Sapkowski's books, Geralt is described as a "stalwart young man in the prime of life"—no exact age given, but definitely not a grizzled veteran. That's exactly how Liam comes across: fresh-faced, brimming with energy, ready to tackle the next monster. Following him on screen is pure enjoyment; he brings a dynamism that the earlier seasons sometimes lacked. Cavill was badass, sure, but Liam? He's the Geralt I pictured from the pages.

Physique: Not overbuilt, but perfectly balanced

Liam takes the edge here, too. He's less bulky than Cavill, which aligns better with the bookish witcher—agile and cunning, not a walking armoire. That said, Liam didn't slack off: Over the past year, he bulked up just right, hitting the weights five days a week and mixing in HIIT (high-intensity interval training). The payoff? Muscles that function, not just flex for show. Compare that to Cavill, who bulked for a superhero's broadsword heft—Liam trains like a real warrior. And yeah, that sword flies just as fiercely in his hands; the action scenes are an absolute thrill to watch.

Appearance: A spitting image, but with soul

No drastic changes—and that's a win! The haircut, the outfits, the scars—it's all lifted straight from the "old" Geralt. As one Rotten Tomatoes TV user put it: "Let's just admit it, Liam is Henry Cavill, one-for-one." But what elevates Liam? His eyes, his expressions, the way he conveys the witcher's inner turmoil. It's not a mask; it's a living, breathing soul. Sure, some folks are still wrinkling their noses at the switch, but trust me: Wait till you see a full episode. He's a hundred times sharper for the role—more natural, more emotive.
Verdict: Liam's my new favorite, and here's why
All in all, this new Geralt is a truer adaptation of the book hero, minus the glossy Hollywood sheen. Yeah, not everyone's on board with the Hemsworth pick, and I respect that—Cavill was a legend. But my take? Liam nails it harder: He's a joy to watch, adding levity and depth that draws Geralt closer to us mortals. A hundred times better for the part—seriously, it's like an upgrade. If you're Team Cavill, do yourself a favor: Give it one season, and you'll switch sides.

Now, for the big question: Why did Henry Cavill leave The Witcher?

It all went down in 2022: The actor announced his journey in Sapkowski's universe was over, passing the torch to Liam. At first, folks speculated it was Superman duties (which, by the way, are still up in the air), but then reports surfaced of clashes with the showrunners. Cavill pushed for a more canon-faithful Geralt—deeper into the books, with a focus on his inner world. They couldn't align, so he bowed out gracefully, no drama. It's unconfirmed, but it tracks. In the end, we all won: Liam brought a breath of fresh air.
What do you think? Tuning in for the season?