The Witcher Season 3 Finale Marks the End of Henry Cavill’s Geralt of Rivia Era, Paving the Way for Liam Hemsworth’s Arrival

The long-awaited last three episodes of The Witcher Season 3 have finally arrived on Netflix, but with them comes a painful farewell to Henry Cavill’s depiction of the fearsome monster-hunter Geralt of Rivia. As the curtain closes on Cavill’s tenure as Geralt, the programme looks forward to a new chapter with Liam Hemsworth taking up the lead role for the famous fantasy series.

Cavill recognised the end of his voyage as Geralt with mixed feelings in an Instagram post last October, reflecting about the exhilarating confrontations with monsters and the exploits that marked his tenure on the programme. With a sad heart, he stated that he would be retiring his medallion and swords, allowing Liam Hemsworth to take over the role of the White Wolf. Cavill gracefully transferred the mantle, expressing gratitude for the time he spent as Geralt and his desire to see Hemsworth’s version of the complex and deep character.

For fans, the casting switch brings both excitement and trepidation. Hemsworth’s Geralt will now carry forward the existing relationships with Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), Princess Cirilla “Ciri” of Cintra (Freya Allan), and the other major players of the Continent. The prospect of a seamless transition, akin to previous recasts like Bryce Dallas Howard replacing Rachelle Lefevre as Victoria in the Twilight movies or Michiel Huisman replacing Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis in Game of Thrones, reassures audiences that the story can continue to evolve organically.

As The Witcher Season 3 reaches its climactic conclusion, the final episodes paint a vivid picture of the characters’ destinies. The last we see of Geralt, he is under the care of the dryads, slowly recovering from his near-fatal encounter with Vilgefortz in episode 6. Jaskier (Joey Batey) brings him news that Ciri is on her way to Nilfgaard, setting Geralt on a determined path despite his injuries.

Yennefer, on the other hand, grapples with the aftermath of the destruction at Aretuza. She supports her mentor Tissaia (MyAnna Buring), who is devastated by the realization of Vilgefortz’s true nature and her failure to prevent the Thanedd Coup. Despite Yennefer’s efforts to console Tissaia, the mentor’s distress leads to a tragic end as she takes her own life. With Tissaia gone, Yennefer takes up the mantle of leadership among the remaining Aretuza mages, uniting them to face Vilgefortz head-on.

Yennefer’s quest overlaps with Geralt’s when she visits him and uses her skills to cure his wounds, further solidifying their bond. Geralt’s determination grows as he sets out on his journey to confront Nilfgaard, knowing that he can no longer stay neutral in the face of evil. He sends a forceful message to Emhyr, the Nilfgaarddian ruler, threatening to rescue Ciri whatever of the hurdles in his path.

Meanwhile, Ciri finds herself in the mysterious Korath Desert after connecting with a powerful monolith in Tor Lara. Captured by headhunters and destined for Emhyr – who we now know is her father Duny – Ciri’s fate takes an unexpected turn. Thankfully, she finds unexpected allies in a boy named Kayleigh (Fabian McCallum) and his gang of outlaws known as the Rats, who come to her rescue. As events unfold, Ciri undergoes a transformation, adopting the name Falka, a legendary princess and part-elf royal known for leading a rebellion and ultimately meeting a tragic end.

As the season draws to a close, Ciri’s last shot reveals a mournful transition, shedding her previous identity as an innocent dreamer. Embracing the mantle of Falka, Ciri takes on a more brutal and determined persona, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating the next chapter of her journey.

In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Vilgefortz, disfigured from the explosion at the Tower Lor, has deceived Emhyr with a Ciri lookalike, concealing the real princess’s whereabouts.

With this gripping conclusion to The Witcher Season 3, fans bid farewell to Henry Cavill’s Geralt, eagerly awaiting Liam Hemsworth’s debut in the beloved role. The show’s rich tapestry of characters and captivating storytelling promises to continue captivating audiences as the saga unfolds in Season 4. The White Wolf’s adventures are far from over, and the Continent holds many more surprises for us to uncover.