Yes, Henry Cavill is a great Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher. His departure from the Netflix epic after season 3 makes many sad to angry. However, how some The Wichter fans and even Netflix treat Henry Cavill as a savior is completely exaggerated.
Not only is it disrespectful to his already-announced successor, Liam Hemsworth, it’s flat out wrong. The Witcher no longer needs Henry Cavill and now has a much more exciting main character anyway.
Henry Cavill’s Witcher became less important from season to season of the fantasy series
Looking back, season 1 was without a doubt the Henry Cavill show. Also, but not only because the Superman actor made no secret of being a huge fan of the fantasy template. The homoerotic chemistry starring Joey Batey as Delphinium has haunted my dreams. I loved the weird monster-of-the-week action with Cavill’s virtuoso fight choreography. The way he growled “Hm” – like a hungry brown bear about to lose love – warmed me to my core.
I trust showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich and her team to portray Liam Hemsworth just as effectively and with perfectly fitting leather pants as Henry Cavill. But even if not, that’s not a downfall. Then Geralt of Rivia has guided us in the series, but not through it for a long time. The really interesting storylines have long since happened with other characters.
Netflix
The Witcher: Geralt and Yennefer
Geralt’s relationship with his foster daughter Ciri and with Yen were his strongest pillars in seasons 2 and 3. I’m pleased that Henry Cavill was able to take a few grumpy dad moments and the confession of love to Yen with him shortly before he left. But already at the end of the first season of The Witcher, the focus of the series changed for me.
Netflix already has a perfect new main character for The Witcher: Yennefer von Vengerberg
The best example of a successful handover of the main role is one of the most famous exits in the history of the series. For seven years, the cult mystery series The X Files clung to David Duchovny’s agent Mulder. When the charmer wanted to leave the series, it went on without him – and was as good as ever with his (former) partner Scully (Gillian Anderson). The Witcher would also benefit fully handing over the reins to an important female figure: Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra).
While Geralt scores above all with coolness thanks to his no-bullshit attitude and bathtub scenes, the series negotiates the really exciting topics with Yen. Your story is told to us from the beginning. In her, the need for recognition and the responsibility for her extraordinarily strong powers, the desire for affection and independence fight for supremacy. She has given up the possibility of becoming pregnant for her life as a sorceress, but wants to be a mother.
Netflix
The Witcher: Yennefer and Ciri
In Season 2, after losing her powers, Yen gains additional character dimensions: ruthlessness and selfishness when she kidnaps Ciri, and gallows humor when she encounters Dandelion powerless. It’s rare that a powerful female figure is allowed to be Comic Relief. And that’s why it’s so good.
In Season 3, Yennefer already has almost all the reins in her hands: she is responsible for Ciri’s magical training and ensures that all magicians meet on the island of Thanedd. She has found her own role as parental substitute for Ciri and friendly dynamic to Dandelion. Geralt is no longer needed as an intermediary, Yen has long since outgrown her relationship with the witcher. Just like the series about Geralt of Rivia.
Interview recommendation for The Witcher fans:
Hear in the podcast why Season 3 is the best yet – and Season 4 will do just fine without Henry Cavill
My colleague Lisa Ludwig and I watched the 1st part of the 3rd season of The Witcher and discuss the new episodes and Henry Cavill’s exit in the podcast.
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Although The Witcher season 3 still can’t solve its two biggest problems, it will bring joy to fans. Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer are finally together and the story is more focused: everyone wants Ciri. Episodes 6, 7 and 8 of The Witcher season 3 premiere on Netflix on July 27.
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