Doug Cockle, the actor who originally played Geralt in CD Projekt Red's RPG series, says he's sad to see Henry Cavill leave the character behind in the Netflix series, although he's excited for what Liam Hemsworth can bring to the series .
“I think it's very sad to see Henry go, because I really liked his performance, and I also liked the guy,” Cockle told GamesRadar+ during an interview at EGX/MCM Comic-Con. “He invited me to the premiere of the series in London and we met there. He's a lovely, lovely guy. He loves the Witcher world so much. I was very sad to hear he was leaving for whatever reason. It's sad to see Henry go.”
But Cockle adds that he “believes strongly in seeing what people bring to the table. Liam is a good actor and I'm very excited to see how his Geralt looks, sounds and behaves. And you know, it's going to be different.” “It will be different from mine, it will be different from Henry's, it will be different from Peter Kenny's, who voices Geralt in the audiobook series and I'm very excited to see what he does.”
So why is Henry Cavill leaving The Witcher? That is a matter of whole Much speculation in the fandom, spurred by rumors that he and the producers of the Netflix series disagreed over Geralt's role in the show. “As happens with the greatest of literary characters,” Cavill himself said when the news of the casting became known. “I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent playing Geralt and with excitement to see Liam's portrayal of the most fascinating and nuanced man.”
Hemsworth officially replaces Cavill with The Witcher season 4, which began production earlier this year. On the gaming side, there are several Witcher projects among CD Projekt Red's slate of upcoming games, but it remains to be seen if Cockle returns for The Witcher 4 or any other project. Cockle has at least a little inside information on The Witcher 4, and for now he's set to voice Geralt once again in the Netflix spin-off Sirens of the Deep.
When asked about his hopes for The Witcher 4, Cockle says he would “love to explore the beginnings of the Witchers.”