The Witcher Season 4 Trailer Debuts Liam Hemsworth as Geralt, Sparks Intense Fan Reactions

Netflix has released the first full trailer for The Witcher Season 4, offering fans their initial look at Liam Hemsworth stepping into the iconic role of Geralt of Rivia.

The highly anticipated season, set to premiere on October 30, marks a significant shift for the popular fantasy series. Hemsworth takes over from Henry Cavill, a change that has been a major talking point among the show's dedicated fanbase since its announcement.

[Image: Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia in a scene from The Witcher Season 4 trailer, wielding a sword.]

Image Credit: Netflix

Liam Hemsworth's Geralt: First Voice and Performance Draws Strong Opinions

The new trailer provides the first opportunity to hear Liam Hemsworth's take on Geralt's voice. This immediately sparked widespread discussion among viewers, with many noting a significant difference from Henry Cavill's deep, gravelly portrayal, which often channeled Doug Cockle's video game performance.

A specific line uttered by Hemsworth's Geralt in the trailer, "Let's fucking move!", has become a focal point of criticism. Commentators, like Erik Kain for Forbes, described it as jarring and uncharacteristic for the stoic Witcher, suggesting it sounded more like a "special forces soldier" or a "Twitch streamer playing Fortnite." This criticism largely points to the writing, rather than Hemsworth's performance, questioning the show's understanding of its protagonist.

Beyond the voice, some viewers also noted a "swagger" in Hemsworth's walk during this scene. This was called "very Hollywood" and out of character for Geralt, contributing to a general sense of "cheapness" for some critics, according to the Forbes review.

Detailed Fan and Critic Reactions to the New Trailer Elements

The debut trailer for The Witcher Season 4 has elicited a range of strong opinions from the fanbase, with many online reactions leaning towards skepticism. The trailer's YouTube like-to-dislike ratio, reportedly 16k likes to 65k dislikes at one point, highlights the significant fan uncertainty surrounding the recasting of Geralt.

Several other aspects of the trailer drew specific critiques. The music choice, described as a "dreadful pop song" by Erik Kain, puzzled some who felt a fantasy series should utilize an orchestral score. The special effects also came under fire, with the ogre Geralt fights being compared to the "goofy" ice troll from Rings of Power Season 1, and the magic effects appearing "cheap."

Character portrayals beyond Geralt also faced scrutiny. Anya Chalotra's Yennefer is seen wielding a sword and giving inspiring speeches, which some found out of character, even if her learning to fight at her age could be believable. Freya Allan's Ciri was critiqued for looking "done up all the time" despite traveling with a band of misfits, though this was noted as less severe than in previous seasons. The overarching theme of "being reborn" and becoming "something new" was also felt to be heavy-handed, serving as an overt reference to Cavill's departure and Hemsworth's arrival.

[Image: Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg in a new leadership role, possibly addressing an army.]

Image Credit: Netflix

Showrunner Lauren Hissrich Addresses Casting and Henry Cavill's Departure

Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has been open about the transition, sharing insights into Liam Hemsworth's casting and Henry Cavill's exit. Hissrich confidently stated to Netflix's Tudum that Hemsworth "owns this character" and viewers will "immediately forget" Cavill after about "45 seconds" into the new season.

She recounted feeling a gut instinct that Hemsworth would be a "perfect Geralt" during their first meeting. Hissrich appreciated his honesty about what resonated with him in earlier seasons and what he might want to shift in his portrayal.

Regarding Cavill's departure, Hissrich explained to Entertainment Weekly that his exit was a "symbiotic decision" that had been in the works "for a while." She cited Cavill's plans for other roles he wished to commit to, emphasizing that the team did not want to "force" him to continue if he didn't want to. Cavill himself offered a gracious Instagram statement, passing the torch to Hemsworth, before taking on projects like a brief return as Superman, a new Highlander movie, and a Warhammer 40k show for Amazon.

The Timeline Controversy Surrounding Liam Hemsworth's Initial Approach

The timeline of Liam Hemsworth's casting sparked a minor controversy following an edited interview on Netflix's Tudum. An early version of the article quoted Hemsworth saying his "journey began with a phone call in 2020," where producers expressed interest in him playing Geralt.

This 2020 date raised eyebrows among fans, as Henry Cavill remained in the lead role through Season 3 and did not announce his departure until late 2022. The line was subsequently removed and replaced with a reference to 2022 in the official article, aligning with the publicly known timeline of Cavill's exit and Hemsworth's casting. Netflix did not issue a statement explaining this change.

[Image: Freya Allan as Ciri, looking more rugged, traveling with "The Rats" in a still from The Witcher Season 4.]

Image Credit: Netflix

Glimmers of Hope and Exciting New Additions to the Continent's Cast

Despite the initial mixed reactions, the trailer and casting news do offer some promising elements for the upcoming season. One standout detail that many fans embraced is the updated look for Ciri, played by Freya Allan. Several online posts and comments highlighted how similar Season 4's Ciri now looks to her counterpart in The Witcher 3 video game, with one fan calling it a "carbon mfing copy" and a "spitting image."

The addition of Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne as Regis, a high-ranking vampire and barber-surgeon, has also generated excitement. His casting is seen by some as a potential breath of fresh air for the series, bringing a serious yet slightly silly energy that could revitalize the show. Hemsworth also noted that Geralt in Season 4 is "not in a good place," dealing with "self-doubt and this frustration," showcasing a "very human side" to the character, which could offer interesting new dynamics.

The new season's cast also includes Meng'er Zhang as the archer Milva, another character book readers will recognize, alongside returning stars like Joey Batey as Jaskier, Eamon Farren as Cahir, and Mahesh Jadu as Vilgefortz. The showrunner confirmed that Season 3 significantly adhered to the book Time of Contempt, particularly during the Thanedd coup, a trend some hope will continue for the final two seasons.

The Continent's Future: Plot, Final Seasons, and Beyond the Netflix Series

Season 4's plot will see Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri separated by a raging war and countless enemies after the events of Season 3. As their paths diverge, they will stumble upon unexpected allies, forming "found families" in their journeys. The central goal remains their reunion amidst the continent-altering conflict.

Liam Hemsworth told Entertainment Weekly that Geralt's journey in Season 4 involves trying to bounce back from his defeat at Vilgefortz's hands and his determination to find Ciri. Yennefer, played by Anya Chalotra, takes on a new leadership role, promising to raise "an army of our own" to defeat Vilgefortz.

The series, originally planned for seven seasons, will now conclude with a fifth and final season. This decision ensures that the story will receive a proper ending on screen, a welcome prospect for fans given the fate of other fantasy shows. Beyond the Netflix series, the wider Witcher universe continues to expand in gaming, with CD Projekt Red developing The Witcher 4 and the mysterious Project Sirius, which promises to "differ from past productions."

Where to Watch The Witcher Season 4

The Witcher Season 4 will stream exclusively on Netflix.

Release Timeline:

• Trailer Release: October 7, 2025 (Official Full Trailer)
• Season 4 Premiere: October 30, 2025
• Platform: Netflix

Preparing for the Next Chapter of The Witcher Saga

As The Witcher Season 4 approaches its October 30 premiere, all eyes are on Liam Hemsworth's debut as Geralt of Rivia. The trailer has certainly ignited passionate discussion, from concerns about new artistic directions to excitement for fresh takes on beloved characters. With an ensemble cast including returning favorites and new additions like Laurence Fishburne, the Continent's saga is set to continue with high stakes and unforeseen challenges.

Whether it wins over skeptics or reinforces existing fan sentiments, Season 4 promises to be a pivotal moment for the Netflix series. Viewers will soon have the chance to experience the new vision for Geralt and decide for themselves if this new chapter successfully carries the torch.