Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 26, 2025 · Entertainment

Liam Hemsworth Shuns Social Media to Embrace Witcher Role Amid Fan Outcry

Liam Hemsworth, 35, is revealing the methods he took to ignore the naysayers critical of his casting in The Witcher, replacing the outgoing Henry Cavill, 42. Pictured in London in July

SPOILER ALERT

The drama is brewing in the world of Netflix's hit series The Witcher, as Liam Hemsworth takes on the highly coveted role of Geralt of Rivia, previously played by Henry Cavill. But, as you'd expect from a show with a die-hard fan base, there was massive backlash when the news broke that Cavill would be leaving the role.

Liam: The New White Wolf

Liam took over for Henry Cavill in portraying the character Geralt of Rivia

But Liam Hemsworth, the 35-year-old Australian heartthrob, is not one to shy away from a challenge. In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, he opens up about how he navigated the noise and naysayers to focus on bringing his unique spin to the iconic character.

"It was like a tidal wave of hate," Liam admits, chuckling wryly. "But I'm used to it, darling. I've dealt with my fair share of criticism in the past, especially after my messy breakup with Miley Cyrus."

For those who may have forgotten (or didn't know), Liam's marriage to the pop star was one for the ages – or, rather, one that left fans reeling. And let's not forget his roles as Gale Hawthorne in The Hunger Games series, which cemented his status as a Hollywood heartthrob.

Cavill played Geralt of Rivia on the first three seasons of the popular streaming series

But back to The Witcher. According to sources close to the show, Liam took drastic measures to focus on his new role – he ditched social media and online presence for most of 2023! That's right, folks; this action hero went dark to get into character.

"I just wanted to immerse myself in the world of The Witcher," Liam explains. "I love making movies and telling stories as an actor, but I didn't want any distractions or outside noise affecting my performance."

And boy, does he have a passion for acting! With his years of experience under his belt (literally – did you know he's been Emmy-nominated?), Liam is determined to bring a fresh take to the role.

Cavill had nothing but reverence for Liam's skill set as passed the baton of playing the demanding role in October of 2022

Reverence from Cavill

Now, it's no secret that Henry Cavill had some mighty big shoes to fill as Geralt of Rivia. But in a surprising move, the outgoing actor has nothing but praise for his successor.

"In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf," Cavill said in a heartfelt message to fans. "As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam's take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men."

Cavill even offered some words of wisdom to his colleague: "Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him. Enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find." Talk about a glowing endorsement!

The Witcher Returns

And just when you thought it was all drama and no substance – Season 4 of The Witcher is set to premiere on Netflix October 30! With Liam Hemsworth at the helm, fans are eager to see how he'll bring Geralt of Rivia to life.

But what about the transformation process? Apparently, it takes a team of TWO TO THREE PEOPLE to put on and off the elaborate makeup, which Liam describes as "really cool."

"I go back to my tent where I've got an air conditioner and just try to get some air up the back of my chest plate," he reveals. Talk about hot and bothered – we wouldn't blame you for needing a break from all that prosthetics!

Liam's Tips for Success

So, how did Liam manage to navigate the chaos and come out on top? His advice is simple: "At the end of the day, I love making movies and telling stories as an actor. I just don't want any outside noise affecting my performance."

And there you have it – a man who's passionate about his craft, willing to take risks, and not afraid to face criticism head-on. Liam Hemsworth is set to conquer the world of The Witcher, one Netflix binge at a time.

The Verdict

It's clear that Liam Hemsworth has some big shoes to fill as Geralt of Rivia – but with his talent, passion, and willingness to take on challenges, we think he's going to knock it out of the park. And let's be real – after Henry Cavill's heartfelt sendoff, how can you not be excited about this new chapter in The Witcher saga?

Will Liam Hemsworth live up to expectations? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – we're all in for a wild ride with Season 4 of The Witcher.