Voice actor Doug Cockle, known for portraying Geralt in CD Projekt Red's The Witcher games, has shared positive thoughts on Liam Hemsworth's performance in Netflix's The Witcher season four. Cockle, who was saddened by Henry Cavill's departure from the role, believes Hemsworth has effectively made the character his own. The comments come as the series approaches its fifth and final season.
Background on the Casting Change
Liam Hemsworth was announced as the new Geralt of Rivia in 2022, replacing Henry Cavill after the third season. Cavill's exit disappointed many fans, including Cockle, who described him as a 'fantastic Witcher.' The transition sparked discussions about adapting the beloved game character to the screen.
Cockle's Recent Comments
In an interview with GamesRadar+, Cockle reflected on season four, stating, 'I think Liam holds up pretty well. He's different. He's made it his own character, and that's what he should have done as an actor, and I think he's done a fantastic job.' He expressed sadness over Cavill's departure but praised Hemsworth's approach. Cockle also voiced excitement for the upcoming fifth season, noting he is eager to 'see where it goes.'
Previously, in April of the prior year, Cockle had mixed views on some Netflix adaptation choices but emphasized the importance of allowing the show its own identity, saying it 'gotta have room to be its own thing.'
Connection to the Games
As the voice of Geralt in the video games, Cockle will reprise the role in The Witcher 4, which shifts focus to Ciri as the lead. CD Projekt Red has confirmed the game will not launch until after 2026. Recently, Karel Kolmann from the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 team joined the development.