Freya Allan, who plays Ciri in Netflix's The Witcher, has revealed that working with Henry Cavill influenced her acting style. She picked up elements of his physicality and mannerisms as Geralt of Rivia. Allan also expressed support for Liam Hemsworth, Cavill's replacement as Geralt.
Henry Cavill departed from Netflix's fantasy series The Witcher ahead of its fourth season, but his presence continues to shape the production. Freya Allan, portraying the character Ciri, explained in an interview with Entertainment Weekly how observing Cavill in character affected her own performance.
"I think there is definitely an element of Henry's physicality in fighting that I've, in some ways, adopted," Allan said. "Also, sometimes even in the way I've been walking, I weirdly found was like him, which is bizarre."
This influence has led to lighthearted moments on set, where cast and crew jokingly refer to Allan as the "real Witcher," highlighting her ability to mimic Cavill's style.
Liam Hemsworth has taken over the role of Geralt of Rivia, a change that has sparked division among fans. The backlash was significant enough that Hemsworth stepped away from social media. Despite her close friendship with Cavill, Allan has voiced empathy and encouragement for her new co-star.
In a Collider interview, she noted, "I don't want to speak for him, but from what I've understood, I feel like he's really wanting to try and bring the heart." Allan added, "He's been training. I feel sorry for him, honestly, because, number one, that fan base can be very attack-y, and it's not an ideal situation to be in taking up someone else's role."
The series is set to conclude after its fifth season, allowing viewers to see the evolving dynamic among Allan, Hemsworth, and the rest of the cast.