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The Witcher's showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has revealed details about Liam Hemsworth's distinctive interpretation of Geralt of Rivia as he takes over from Henry Cavill in the fourth series of Netflix's blockbuster fantasy drama. Cavill stepped down from the legendary role following three series, handing over to the Australian Hunger Games actor Hemsworth to bring Geralt's journey to a close in the fourth and fifth instalments. In an exclusive conversation with Reach at the programme's London premiere, Hissrich suggested a smooth handover between the two leading men. "I don't think it's about distancing at all," she remarked regarding Hemsworth's performance. "He wanted to honour the template that had been set for him, this character was originated with someone else. And he's still playing Geralt, so we needed to keep a few key things there", reports the Mirror . Yet, as the fourth series delves deeper into Geralt's narrative, alongside his bonds with characters including Ciri (portrayed by Freya Allan) and Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), viewers might also notice some nuanced shifts in his character. "But, there were aspects that Liam wanted to bring that were solely his," Hissrich added. "He really wanted to bring in a sense of humour, especially in a season that is darker than we've probably ever done. "But I also think what fans will notice is the sense of ease, the sense of confidence that Liam brings to his Geralt. There's such a comfort level in these scenes and it's like he's always been there. I'm excited for everyone to see that." Whilst Hemsworth's casting represents the most significant transformation to The Witcher universe, numerous other surprises await Netflix viewers throughout the fourth season. Hinting at the fresh faces joining the cast, the showrunner revealed: "I mean, Laurence Fishburne and Sharlto Copley and a couple of other big characters that come in. "I would say, tonally it's slightly different, not necessarily because of the cast changes but because of the story changes. At this point of his journey, Geralt is in a very emotional place." After a devastating loss at the conclusion of season three, Hemsworth's Geralt will begin in a more vulnerable state than in the previous three series. "He's lost everything, he's a broken man," Hissrich explained. "He's injured, which we've never seen before. So, I think Liam especially got to bring these new, vulnerable depths to the character and I think that'll be very new and fun for audiences." Geralt was notably left confined to bed at the close of The Witcher's third season after a savage confrontation with the sorcerer Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu), spending the final two episodes recuperating under the watchful eye of Queen Eithné (Josette Simon) and her dryads. The fourth season will resume with the warrior still experiencing the aftermath of their vicious encounter, presenting audiences with a far more damaged Geralt than previously witnessed. The Witcher season 4 premieres Thursday, 30th October on Netflix.
