Netflix is getting far stricter about The Witcher spoilers. The adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series will feature a new leading actor in the upcoming season 4 release. Henry Cavill’s time as Geralt of Rivia is over, as Liam Hemsworth is stepping in to take over the role. The rest of the main cast is expected to return, save for Kim Bodnia’s Vesemir. Anya Chalotra’s Yennefer and Freya Allan’s Ciri will both be returning. The new season is set to be released in late 2025, though no official release date has ever been announced.
In an interview with Screen Rant‘s Tatiana Hullender at Sundance for her upcoming movie, Brides, Safiyya Ingar (Keira Metz) took time to discuss The Witcher, reflecting on her experience with the production. Because she faced sharp criticism from Netflix about a minor spoiler picture, she refuses to share too much about season 4. Still, she claims that Hemsworth “looks great“. Check out her quote below:
I can’t! They’ve got us in a chokehold so hard, I could say one word and there goes my NDA; my phone’ll blow up.
I remember I got in so much trouble. I can say this because technically people already know, but we went in for stunt training mid-last year. I posted a picture of the prop swords, and it was just an ambiguous little thing. There was no indication of anything in there. I was just like, “We’re back.” And everyone knew we started filming, so it was fine.
But I got a call… It was not fine! “Hello, you need to take that down.” I was like, “Hello, who is this? “You need to take that off your social media. There’s been a security breach. The news tabloids have got ahold of it.” And I was just like, “But it’s a box of swords! The Witcher carries a sword!”
But what I can say is that Liam looks great. That’s it. That’s all I can say.
Not Much Is Likely To Be Revealed By The Cast
With so much attention on Liam Hemworth’s Witcher casting, Netflix has been clamping down on spoilers. If actors are not even allowed to share pictures of the props, then any major insight is unlikely to come until the next official trailer is released. The Witcher season 4’s teaser was released, but it was nothing but a short clip. That is especially disappointing with so much time since the last season. Season 3 ended in July 2023, so it will likely have been over two years between seasons. The lack of much tangible information about the season could risk completely shattering its momentum.
Henry Cavill has never fully explained why he left The Witcher.
Still, The Witcher‘s returning cast members will also be facing even greater challenges than audiences will. They will need to work on replicating their characters’ dynamic with Geralt with a brand-new version of the character. Hemsworth is unlikely to completely capture every aspect of Cavill’s performance, as he will need to bring his own perspective on the titular Witcher. Ingar’s endorsement is certainly a good sign of his talent. The long-term impact will not be known until audiences catch their own glimpse of his portrayal, however.
Our Take On The Witcher Season 4’s Development
Netflix Should Take Advantage Of Free Press
Netflix is facing the perfect opportunity, and rejecting it could be a poor idea. Its stars are actively attempting to advertise the production, and there is no need to be so strict about preventing spoilers. If stars and audiences are willing to engage with each other, it is nothing but a boon to the production. Every viewer knows that characters use swords in this universe, so a picture of prop swords is nothing to be afraid of. Ingar was simply attempting to promote the show ahead of a massive recast. If Netflix wants The Witcher to succeed, it should embrace that.
The Witcher
- Release Date
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December 20, 2019
- Showrunner
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Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
- Directors
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Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
- Writers
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Lauren Schmidt Hissrich