Liam Hemsworth as Gerald in front of a background from The Witcher

Two characters have been recast in The Witcher season 4 after their actors departed the series. This is, of course, a significant hit for the fantasy show, especially following the complaints after season 2 that Netflix had made too many extensive changes to canon. It will be interesting to see how The Witcher will recover, especially since the actors taking over these roles will have large shoes to fill and are facing the challenge of pleasing an existing pool of fans. Recasts are never easy, but audiences are typically even less forgiving when this happens in a franchise like The Witcher.

This Netflix fantasy series is based on the book series by Andrzej Sapkowski, which had already inspired a video game franchise of the same name. So, long before The Witcher season 1 was released, there was an established group of fans ready to defend the stories they love. Unfortunately, The Witcher season 2 failed to impress, and this is when the problems really got started for Netflix. Season 3 was a marked improvement, but the news was already out that the series’ star was stepping away and would need to be recast. Now, another of The Witcher‘s actors must be replaced as well.

Geralt Of Rivia & Vesemir Have Both Been Recast In The Witcher Season 4

Both Characters Will Be Portrayed By New Actors

The Witcher season 2 Geralt Vesemir crossing swords

The first role being recast in The Witcher is, of course, Geralt of Rivia. Henry Cavill announced that he was leaving the Netflix series before the release of season 3, and The Witcher showrunner Lauren Hissrich announced that Geralt would be recast for season 4. Now, another role has been confirmed to need recasting. Vesemir, Geralt’s witcher mentor introduced in season 2, will also be portrayed by a different actor in The Witcher seasons 4 and 5 since actor Kim Bodnia will not return to the role. However, the reasons for Cavill and Bodnia’s departures differ.

The Witcher season 4 is expected to release in 2025.

Why Henry Cavill Left The Witcher After Season 3 (& Who’s Replacing Him)

Liam Hemsworth Will Play Geralt In The Witcher Season 4

Henry Cavill as Geralt staring into the distance in The Witcher season 2 liam-hemsworth-and-henry-cavil-as-The-Witcher-in-The-Witcher Liam Hemsworth as Dodge sitting at a table in Most Dangerous Game Liam Hemsworth as Dodge standing outside in Most Dangerous Game Owen (Liam Hemsworth) smiles slightly in a bar in Lonely PlanetHenry Cavill as Geralt staring into the distance in The Witcher season 2 liam-hemsworth-and-henry-cavil-as-The-Witcher-in-The-Witcher
Liam Hemsworth as Dodge sitting at a table in Most Dangerous Game Liam Hemsworth as Dodge standing outside in Most Dangerous Game Owen (Liam Hemsworth) smiles slightly in a bar in Lonely Planet

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Cavill’s choice to leave The Witcher came as quite a surprise, since he was, of course, the lead, and had championed himself a personal fan of the franchise. The precise reason for his departure is unknown, and Cavill himself has never provided an explanation, only offering a public announcement of his choice along with a thank you to Netflix and The Witcher‘s showrunner. However, there were indications throughout Cavill’s time on the show that he and Netflix’s writers would butt heads about the changes being made to the canon story.

Regardless of why Cavill left The Witcher, he will be replaced in season 4 by Liam Hemsworth, who played Gale in the Hunger Games franchise. Netflix has already released the first look at Hemsworth’s Geralt, and while he and Cavill could never be mistaken for one another, he pulls off the role surprisingly well. The remaining cast of The Witcher, including Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan, have praised Hemsworth following the shooting of The Witcher season 4 and have encouraged audiences to give the actor a fair chance.

Why Kim Bodnia Is No Longer Playing Vesemir In Season 4 (& Who’s Replacing Him)

Kim Bodnia Has Another Obligation

Vesemir concerned next to a smiling Geralt in The Witcher

Though Bodnia’s Vesemir didn’t appear in The Witcher season 3, the character is included in the script for the coming season 4. Unfortunately, Bodnia will not play him. The actor has joined the cast of Brad Pitt’s Apple TV+ movie F1, which wasn’t initially supposed to get in the way of his participation in The Witcher. However, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes changed things, and Bodnia wound up unable to take part in both projects. So, a new actor has to step in to play Vesemir in The Witcher season 4 and beyond. Currently, there is no word regarding which actor will fill the role.

While recasting any role in a TV show is never preferred, Bodnia stepping away may work out in Hemsworth’s favor.

While recasting any role in a TV show is never preferred, Bodnia stepping away may work out in Hemsworth’s favor. Geralt and Vesemir are meant to have a strong bond, and this is something that Cavill and Bodnia had already established together. Hemsworth will have the tough job of trying to duplicate his predecessor’s chemistry with his costars, but in the case of Vesemir, he will have a fresh start. Regardless of who Netflix casts to replace Bodnia, it will need to be someone who works well with Hemsworth on the screen. If this is achieved, these two new The Witcher actors will have a much easier time said and done.