In the realms of TV fantasy, The Witcher is perhaps closest to Game Of Thrones in the cultural zeitgeist. The franchise’s already successful foundation does help, from the original books by Andrzej Sapkowski to the critically acclaimed games from studio CD Projekt which further established Geralt of Rivia’s adventures around the world.
As such, it’s perhaps impressive a TV adaptation has managed to attract a similar reverence. If many recognise Henry Cavill as their definitive Superman, there’ll be just as many who see the actor as the ultimate Geralt. While Netflix looks to create a new future for the series, here’s everything we know about season four.
Has The Witcher season four been confirmed?
The White Wolf will return
Netflix confirmed a fourth season is in the works on October 29, 2022 before season three was even released. However, the announcement came alongside the news that Henry Cavill will be stepping down from the role of Geralt, with Liam Hemsworth set to take over in the fourth season.
It’s official: The Witcher is returning for Season 4, and Henry Cavill will be handing his swords to Liam Hemsworth as the new Geralt of Rivia after Season 3. Welcome to the Witcher family, @LiamHemsworth!
Read more: https://t.co/ABQMdqkzXX pic.twitter.com/xyIaRBbiRT
— The Witcher (@witchernetflix) October 29, 2022
“My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for season four,” Cavill said. “In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. 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.
“Liam, good sir, this character has such wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you find.”
In his own statement, Hemsworth said: “As a Witcher fan I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia. Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I’m honoured that he’s handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the White Wolf’s blades for the next chapter of his adventure.
“Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you brought to this beloved character. I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world.”
In May 2024, Netflix gave fans their first look at Hemsworth as Geralt.
Why did Henry Cavill quit The Witcher?
Some say it was due to creative differences…
Fans of the show were quick to scour the internet for clues as to why Cavill suddenly decided to quit.
Following the announcement, some assumed that Cavill’s decision was due to his commitments to Superman. Some fans, however, have pointed to potential behind-the-scenes trouble as the reason for his exit, stemming from an interview with Beay DeMayo, a former producer and writer on the series.
In an Instagram Stories Q&A (via TheDirect), DeMayo shared how he recruited the production team on X-Men ‘97, and compared the experience to The Witcher.
“My general rule was you HAD to be a fan. No questions,” DeMayo wrote. “I’ve been on shows – namely Witcher – where some of the writers were not [fans] or actively disliked the books and games. It’s a recipe for disaster and bad morale. Fandom as a litmus test checks egos, and makes all the long nights worth it. You have to respect the work before you’re allowed to add to its legacy.”
Cavill on the other hand is a massive Witcher fan, with showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich calling his attempts to get cast in the show “really annoying“.
Who else is returning for The Witcher season four?
Both Ciri (Freya Allan) and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) will have big roles in the upcoming seasons of The Witcher, while Jaskier (Joey Batey) and Milva (Meng’er Zhang) will start the season helping Geralt get back to his friends. “This is the beginning of what fans [of the books] will know as the Hanza. It’s the group traveling with Geralt for the rest of the books. This becomes his newfound family,” Schmidt Hissrich told Netflix.
Joining the cast is Laurence Fishburne as Regis, a world-wise barber-surgeon with a mysterious past. Sharlto Copley will star as infamous bounty hunter Leo Bonhart, James Purefoy will play Skellen, Emhyr’s court advisor and high-ranking spy while Danny Woodburn will take on the role of fan-favourite dwarf Zoltan.
Table read pictures for the witcher season four this is all I've ever wanted pic.twitter.com/k28z39ZUPC
— els ⚔ THE HANZA IS HERE (@milvaenthusiast) April 18, 2024
In October, it was confirmed another cast member wouldn’t be returning for season four. Kim Bodnia, who plays Geralt’s mentor and father figure Vesemi, has reportedly dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with the role yet to be recast.
Is there any word on a release date for season four?
There’s a long wait yet
The third season of The Witcher was released summer 2023 and production for season four began early in 2024. Netflix is yet to confirm a release date, but it looks like 2025 will be earliest the new season will air.
Do we know what season four will be about?
Let’s turn to the books
Each season of The Witcher so far has followed the chronology of the books. The first season was based on short story collections The Last Wish and Sword Of Destiny which take place before the main saga, while season two adapted the first novel Blood Of Elves.
As the third season is based on the second novel, Time Of Contempt, it’s reasonable to assume the fourth season will adapt the next book, Baptism Of Fire.
A synposis from Netflix reads: “After the shocking, Continent-altering events that close out Season 3, the new season follows Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri, who are separated and traversing the war-ravaged Continent and its many demons. If they can embrace and lead the groups of misfits they find themselves in, they have a chance of surviving the baptism of fire — and finding one another again.”
Will season four be the end of The Witcher?
A fifth and final season has been confirmed
In April 2024, it was confirmed that a fifth and final season of The Witcher had been green-lit by Netflix and would be filmed back-to-back with season four.
The fourth and fifth seasons will cover Sapkowski’s three remaining books: Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring Andrzej Sapkowski’s books to an epic and satisfying conclusion. It wouldn’t be our show if we didn’t push our family of characters to their absolute limit — stay tuned to see how the story ends,” said Schmidt Hissrich.
Are there any spinoffs in the meantime?
Prequels are all the rage
If you’re keen for more Witcher screen outings, an animated prequel film titled The Witcher: Nightmare Of The Wolf was released in 2021. This follows the origin story of Geralt’s mentor Vesemir, who is voiced by Theo James.
A prequel series, The Witcher: Blood Origin, was also released on December 25, 2022. This four-episode series takes place 1,200 years before the main show, depicting the creation of the first Witcher and the events leading up to the Conjunction of the Spheres, which allowed creatures from different worlds to travel between dimensions.
However another spin-off The Rats was reportedly cancelled by Netflix, with footage set to be used in season four of The Witcher instead.