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The Witcher’ Recast Era Splits Viewers as Early Numbers Indicate a Softer Season 4 Debut

Early metrics show a softer start for the franchise’s recast era.

Overview

  • Season 4 premiered October 30 on Netflix with Liam Hemsworth taking over as Geralt of Rivia from Henry Cavill.
  • Netflix logged 7.4 million views in the first four days and placed the show No. 2 on its English TV list, while Samba TV reported the Season 4 opener drew 35% fewer U.S. households than Season 3’s first episode.
  • Rotten Tomatoes ratings have climbed since release, with critics at 61% and audiences at 20%, up from initial lower scores, according to Collider.
  • Netflix refreshed The Witcher’s profile icons to feature Hemsworth, a branding change that drew online backlash and coincided with some user avatar errors, per Collider.
  • Cast members praised Hemsworth’s performance and showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich reiterated that Seasons 4 and 5 were filmed back-to-back to adapt the final novels, as Netflix also quietly unlocked the spinoff The Rats for viewers who finish Season 4.