Liam Hemsworth Avoided the Internet for a Year to Prepare for ‘The Witcher‘ Role Amid Fan Backlash
Liam Hemsworth deliberately disconnected from social media and the internet for nearly a year to shield himself from the intense scrutiny and negativity following his casting as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, according to recent statements. The move came as fans reacted strongly to the replacement of Henry Cavill, who previously embodied the iconic role.
Hemsworth’s decision reflects the pressure of stepping into a beloved character’s shoes while navigating a vocal fanbase.Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has expressed confidence in Hemsworth’s approach, noting his dedication to both honoring the source material and forging his own interpretation of Geralt. The fourth season of The Witcher, starring Hemsworth, is slated to premiere on Netflix on October 30, 2025, offering audiences the first glimpse of his portrayal.
Explaining his need to focus, hemsworth stated, “There was a lot of noise and I had to put it on aside. It started to distract me. I have often dealt with such things in the past, but […] I just don’t want anything to influence my way of telling the story I want to tell.I have withdrawn most of the last year from social media and the Internet.“
Hissrich further emphasized Hemsworth’s commitment, saying, “The really great thing about Liam is that he takes the whole thing very, very seriously. I think he knew that he would step into big footsteps.It was very importent to him to maintain certain things – and also to invent certain things so that his Geralt could stand on his own feet.“