‘The Witcher’ Sends Henry Cavill Off With a Whimper

When news broke that Liam Hemsworth would be replacing Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher after Season 3, fans were understandably skeptical. Netflix’s fantasy series might be an ensemble, but Cavill, with his DC bona fides and his instantly recognizable growl, has always been its selling point.

The first volume of the show’s third season was a solid reminder of exactly what makes Cavill so undeniable in the role: In fight scenes, his every move seems to land with swift, bone-shattering force; in slower moments, his natural magnetism and droll delivery make us hang on his every mundane word. And then there’s the heart-melting affection (and protectiveness) he displays toward those he loves. For much of Season 3, Volume 2, however, he’s stuck on his back, healing in the woods after an ill-fated battle with one of our new primary antagonists, the mage Vilgefortz of Roggeveen.

Those who expected Cavill to go out in a final blaze of glory will be sorely disappointed. Although there is something elegant about the way Cavill goes out (and he also makes a meal out of his forced bedrest in the woods) the actor’s exit feels like a whimper next to the gonzo legacy he’s built on this gripping, often delightfully weird fantasy series. Can Liam Hemsworth really fill these boots?

Read more at The Daily Beast.