All eight episodes of The Witcher Season 4 are now streaming on Netflix. The new season stars Liam Hemsworth, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, Joey Batey, Laurence Fishburne, Eamon Farren, and Anna Shaffer. After the shocking, Continent-altering events that close out season three, the new season follows Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri who are faced with traversing the war-ravaged Continent and its many demons apart from each other. If they can embrace and lead the groups of misfits they find themselves in, they have a chance of surviving the baptism of fire and finding one another again.

Season 4 of The Witcher faced an uphill battle from the start. Though it carries the same tone and world-building fans have come to know, the biggest challenge was undoubtedly introducing a new Geralt after Henry Cavill’s departure. Cavill’s portrayal defined the series—his performance made the role iconic—so his exit felt like the end of an era. Unfortunately, it often seems like fate pulls Cavill away from the franchises where he shines most.

That left Liam Hemsworth with some enormous shoes to fill. Many fans either checked out when Cavill left or, like me, stayed curious to see how Hemsworth would approach the role—or simply because they still enjoy the world and story. I’ll admit, my expectations going in were fairly low. But to my surprise, this season turned out to be a solid and engaging chapter of television—one that ultimately exceeded what I anticipated.

Based on how the season begins, I’d strongly encourage viewers to stick with it. Hemsworth’s introduction is, admittedly, a bit clunky—tacky even—and unintentionally funny in parts. It feels out of place, almost as if the show itself isn’t quite sure how to move forward without lingering in the shadow of what Henry Cavill created. I’ll be honest: I was ready to give this season a lower score after the first episode. The opening doesn’t inspire much confidence, but it does improve as the story progresses, and it’s worth hanging in for.

The biggest question on everyone’s mind, of course, is whether Liam Hemsworth is any good in the role. He might not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking of a replacement, but he does a respectable job with what he’s given. He neither blew me away nor let me down. It’s not like Doctor Who, where a new lead can seamlessly step in and make the role their own. This is more like trying to replace Michael Scott, Tony Soprano, or Dexter Morgan—it just doesn’t feel natural.

You can see moments where Hemsworth is really trying to capture Cavill’s signature grit and presence. The hair and makeup team deserves credit for making the transition as smooth as possible, visually bridging the gap between the two actors. Still, there’s an undeniable edge to Cavill’s performance—a weight and roughness—that made his Geralt iconic in a way that’s difficult to replicate.

The side characters are truly the backbone of this season. The supporting cast returns with renewed energy, and it shows—each performance feels committed and heartfelt. Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan, in particular, continue to deliver standout performances, adding emotional weight and depth to their arcs. Much like Hemsworth, Laurence Fishburne’s introduction initially feels a bit out of place—almost goofy, even—but by the end, he completely wins you over. His character evolves in meaningful ways, and his presence ultimately becomes one of the season’s strongest elements.

While the show loses a touch of its original identity with the new lead, it still retains the sharp edge and creative spirit that defined the first three seasons. The action sequences are visually striking, with dynamic camerawork that feels like a character of its own. The story remains engaging throughout—helped, no doubt, by the audience’s connection to these long-established characters. Still, this season feels a bit less like The Witcher than ever before, leaving much of the emotional and narrative weight to be carried by the ensemble cast—and to their credit, they rise to the challenge.

Since each season has been released roughly two years apart, I’ve only watched them once, but one thing continues to stand out: the visuals—both for better and for worse. The show remains epic in scope, with impressive world-building and sweeping cinematography. However, the production design and CGI don’t always hold up. At times, the visuals border on something you’d expect from a CW show. I’m not sure if that’s due to budget constraints or creative choices, but it’s an element that consistently stands out—often in the wrong way.

Cavill’s departure felt like the end of an era, but it also left the door open for new stories to be told. Still, I can’t help but wonder whether The Witcher would have achieved the same level of success if Hemsworth had been in the lead role from the very beginning. Interestingly, the show has already been renewed for a fifth and final season, meaning Hemsworth will only have two seasons to make his mark. While he does a respectable job with what he’s given, this season doesn’t offer him enough space to truly stand out. It feels as though the show is more focused on wrapping up the story in a satisfying way than on redefining itself around a new Geralt.

Overall, the fourth season of The Witcher has its flaws, but it still manages to deliver an experience worth watching. The show undeniably struggles without Cavill, even though Hemsworth does the best he can with the material he’s given. While the series can be visually stunning, the production occasionally feels cheap or uneven. If, like me, you’re drawn to the action and storytelling, there’s enough here by the end of the season to make it a worthwhile watch.

VERDICT: 3/5 – Good