How Did The Witcher Season 4 Win Big Amid Massive Online Hate: Explained

Despite facing heavy backlash ahead of release, The Witcher Season 4 has managed to emerge as a surprising success. Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich recently addressed the controversy, emphasizing why the show has received a massive response despite the backlash.

According to Hissrich, the series was never meant to please just one group of fans. “You have book fans, you have video game fans, and then you have fans that knew nothing about this world until the show existed,” she told Dexerto in a recent interview.

“And the truth is, we can’t choose one audience,” she explained, stressing that the show must function as a cohesive television story, not a direct copy of Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels.

Hissrich pointed to earlier seasons, where standalone tales from the short stories were woven together for television, calling it “connective tissue” to guide characters toward their destined arcs. With Seasons 4 and 5 planned together, the creative team wrote toward a defined ending.

The Witcher Season 4 Hit Netflix’s Top 10 Despite Mixed Reviews

The Witcher Season 4 has sparked mixed reviews and considerable backlash following the recasting of its lead character, Geralt of Rivia. Originally portrayed by Henry Cavill, the role has now been taken over by Liam Hemsworth, who will continue through the series finale.

Despite the controversy, the fantasy drama has proven resilient, securing a spot among Netflix’s top 10 most-watched series. According to FlixPatrol, the latest season ranks second on Netflix’s global charts, trailing behind the crime thriller The Asset.

However, critical and audience responses have been less enthusiastic. Season 4 has earned the lowest critic score in the show’s history on Rotten Tomatoes, sitting at 60% from critics and a notably low 19% audience score.

Originally released in 2019, The Witcher is based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s acclaimed book series and follows the monster-hunting adventures of Geralt of Rivia. The series is reprised for a fifth and final season. Season 5 does not have a release date yet.

Liam Hemsworth on Stepping Into Geralt’s Armor

Taking over as Geralt of Rivia was no easy task for Liam Hemsworth. Fans had grown deeply attached to Henry Cavill’s portrayal of the stoic monster hunter, making Hemsworth’s transition into the role one of the most highly scrutinized in recent TV memory.

Liam Hemsworth in The Witcher Season 4 | Credit: Netflix

Despite the immense pressure, the actor shared that he felt fully supported in bringing his version of Geralt to life. “I felt like I was going to have the support and the confidence that I needed to really pull it off,” he said.

Speaking to Netflix, Hemsworth revealed that preparation and costume were key to embodying the character. “By the time I stepped on the set, I felt really good and comfortable with a sword,” he said.

“Any day I put on the actual body armor … and then I put the contact lenses in, that’s when I really feel immersed in this character,” Hemsworth, a longtime Witcher fan himself, said about bringing genuine passion to the legendary role.

Who’s your ultimate Geralt of Rivia, Liam Hemsworth or Henry Cavill? Cast your vote and tell us who truly embodies the White Wolf!

The Witcher is available to stream on Netflix.