Find out why Henry Cavill left The Witcher, the controversy behind his exit, and how it reshaped the Netflix series.
Henry Cavill’s exit from Netflix’s The Witcher sent shockwaves through fans who had championed his portrayal of Geralt of Rivia. The final episodes of Season 3, released last July, served as his swan song. While the season delivered its share of epic battles, it struggled to fully redeem itself—much like the decision to split it into two parts. Cavill’s departure left fans asking one big question: why did he leave The Witcher at its peak?
Here’s the tea: Netflix confirmed Cavill’s exit in October 2022, dropping the bombshell that Liam Hemsworth would take up Geralt’s iconic swords in Season 4. Cavill, who passionately campaigned for the role long before the series even had a script, announced his departure just as he teased a return to his Superman cape. But Hollywood’s gears had other plans.
In 2022, Cavill’s Black Adam cameo hinted at his return to the DC Universe, only for those plans to crumble when James Gunn stepped in as DC Studios’ co-CEO. The result? It’s a Superman reboot with The Politician’s David Corenswet taking over. Cavill, stuck in career limbo, still bid farewell to Geralt. Netflix confirmed his exit was final, even as The Witcher hinted at its fourth-season makeover.
Season 3’s part two leaned heavily on the drama. Geralt faced his biggest challenge yet—both on-screen and off. The final episodes wrapped up Cavill’s arc with the expected mix of grit and monster-slaying. Geralt’s last hurrah came with a classic hero moment, defending common folk at a checkpoint while recovering from a brutal battle. A new character, Archer Milva, joined Geralt and Jaskier in his quest to find Ciri, setting the stage for what’s to come.
But the elephant in the room? The big face swap. Some fans hoped Hemsworth might play a new Witcher, sparing Geralt from continuity whiplash. Showrunner Lauren Hissrich crushed those hopes, confirming the show would stay true to its literary roots. Geralt’s story was far from over, and introducing a new lead, Witcher wasn’t in the cards.
Executive producer Tomek Baginski teased fans with promises of a seamless transition, nodding to The Witcher’s rich lore for guidance. According to him, the change would align with ideas explored in the books—especially book five—making Hemsworth’s arrival “flawless.”
For Cavill, The Witcher became another chapter closed too soon. His tenure as Geralt may have ended, but what was his impact? Unforgettable. As fans brace for Hemsworth’s debut, all eyes are on how Netflix handles this high-stakes handoff. One thing’s for sure—change is coming to the Continent.
