Henry Cavill starred on The Witcher for the first three seasons before stepping away. The Witcher is based on author Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels and video games of the same name. It debuted in 2019 on Netflix.
Cavill announced in 2022 that he would not be returning for the fourth season. Interestingly, in 2021, he was absolutely committed to the show’s 7-season plan.
His exit sparked a backlash from some fans of the show.
According to some reports, Henry Cavill left The Witcher because of creative differences. It is particularly over the depiction of his character and changes from the source material.
“All of my asks and requests were along the lines of just being faithful to the source material,” he said in December of 2021. “It’s important for me to have the character be three-dimensional. And it’s tricky to do, as I was saying earlier, because there’s a certain vision and there’s a certain set storyline and plot. And so, it was about me trying to find Geralt’s place within that.”
@Getty
“It’s a recipe for disaster and bad morale,” one of The Witcher’s ex-writers, Beau DeMayo, wrote on Instagram.
Beau DeMayo added:
“I’ve been on a show, namely The Witcher, where some of the writers were not or actively disliked the books and games (even actively mocking the source material). You have to respect the work before you’re allowed to add to its legacy. Fandom as a litmus test checks egos, and makes all the long nights worth it.”
Ultimately, Henry Cavill‘s leaving The Witcher was a mutual decision
The actor has also begun planning to pursue other roles and commitments.
Henry Cavill arrives at DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. host Superman 75 party at San Diego Comic-Con 2013 – @Getty
“He had plans for other roles that he really wanted to commit himself to,” Lauren Hissrich, The Witcher’s top executive producer, told Entertainment Weekly.
“I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for season 4,” Cavill wrote on social media in October 2022.
Liam Hemsworth has since taken the role of Geralt of Rivia in the show’s fourth season.
Liam Hemsworth poses with the Favorite Male Action Star award for ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1’ backstage – @Getty
“I was a big fan of the video game, and then I watched the series, and was a fan of the series, and I read the books,” Liam said for RadioTimes regarding taking the role of Geralt. “I was pretty reluctant at that point. (I had) a lot of concerns and questions about it all.”
Anya Chalotra cried over Henry Cavill’s departure from The Witcher
Anya Chalotra portrayed Yennefer of Vengerberg in the Netflix fantasy drama.
“I started [Witcher] having not much work under my belt, and this show means the world to me,” Chalotra recalled about hearing Cavill’s departure.
Chalotra continued:
“So it hurt. I’ve put everything into this character. I cried. I remember it so vividly. It really impacted me. We were so bonded to these people, and to lose such an important member of the team.”
Henry Cavill attends the Jameson Empire Awards 2015 at Grosvenor House, on March 29, 2015 in London – @Getty
“He’s wonderful, and he played a wonderful Geralt,” said Therica Wilson-Read, who played sorceress Sabrina. “No one can deny that. I think everyone in the cast and crew just wish him all the best, and I think Liam is also a wonderful actor and a wonderful human being, just like Henry is.”
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