The Witcher season 4 cast: New and returning actors in Netflix epic

The Witcher season 4 is finally upon us and, of course, much of the conversation is revolving around the show's brand new Geralt of Rivia, with Liam Hemsworth stepping in to replace an abruptly outgoing Henry Cavill.

The casting has been the subject of much debate within fan circles, with the long-awaited launch of season 4 on Netflix sure to add fuel to conversations that have been bubbling away for the last three years.

Indeed, in an interview with RadioTimes.com at the time of season 3's launch, The Witcher cast members said they were surprised by Cavill's abrupt exit, but wished to focus attention to the hard work that everyone puts into the show.

Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich echoed that sentiment in a recent interview as season 4 launched, saying that the fantasy franchise was "bigger than one actor" and that "The Witcher lives whether or not we go".

Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of The Witcher season 4 on Netflix.

The Witcher season 4 cast: New and returning actors

Here's an overview of the key players in The Witcher season 4 – read on for more info about each character and the actor playing them, including where you might have seen them before.

• Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia
• Anya Chalotra as Yennefer of Vengerberg
• Freya Allan as Ciri
• Laurence Fishburne as Regis
• Eamon Farren as Cahir Mawr Dyffryn aep Ceallach
• Joey Batey as Jaskier
• Mimî M Khayisa as Fringilla Vigo
• Anna Shaffer as Triss Merigold
• Royce Pierreson as Istredd
• Wilson Mbomio as Dara
• Mahesh Jadu as Vilgefortz of Roggeveen
• Mecia Simson as Francesca Findabair
• Jodhi May as Queen Calanthe
• Therica Wilson-Read as Sabrina Glevissig
• Peter Mullan as Vesemir

Liam Hemsworth plays Geralt of Rivia

Who is Geralt of Rivia? Geralt is a seasoned monster-slayer-for-hire who trained at Kaer Morhen under Vesemir from a young age and was mutated with a special serum to become a full witcher. He’s a vicious fighter who is tied to Princess Cirilla thanks to invoking the Law of Surprise when he saved her father Duny during one of the season 1 flashbacks.

Hemsworth said of the character's season 4 arc: "What excited me the most was where Geralt is at this part of the story – his emotional state, and where he's heading. I think he's in a very real place of change and a place that I don't think he's been in often in his life. There's a lot of doubt and confusion and worry.

"He's actually in a place where, not only does he have to overcome his own stuff, but it's through opening up and realising that he's not going to be able to do this on his own, and he needs to accept that he's vulnerable right now, that he's not strong enough to do what he needs to do."

Where have I seen Liam Hemsworth before? The brother of Thor actor Chris, this Hemsworth has had a successful career of his own. He broke out in The Hunger Games film franchise as District 12 resident and rebel Gale, and went on to star in legacy sequel Independence Day: Resurgence.

Anya Chalotra plays Yennefer of Vengerberg

Who is Yennefer of Vengerberg? Yennefer started out life as a downtrodden girl with a curved spine and partial facial paralysis, but after she accidentally portalled herself to the mage academy, Aretuza, she learned to hone her magical abilities under Tissaia’s teachings. She is now one of the most powerful mages in the Continent. In season 4, she is determined to stop sinister sorcerer Vilgefortz.

Where have I seen Anya Chalotra? Chalotra has appeared in series including The Cipher, The ABC Murders, Wanderlust and animated show Sherwood. More recently, she joined James Gunn's rebooted DC Universe as the voice of Circe in Creature Commandos.

Freya Allan plays Princess Cirilla of Cintra

Who is Princess Cirilla of Cintra? Cirilla, or Ciri, is Queen Calanthe’s granddaughter and the only princess of Cintra. When we met her in season 1, she was wanted due to her royal status and wielded mystical abilities that she couldn't control. Now, those powers have left her, and she has exiled herself under a false name.

Where have I seen Freya Allan? Allan has appeared in BBC One's The War of the Worlds and Sky's The Third Day as well as action films Gunpowder Milkshake and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

Joey Batey plays Jaskier

Who is Jaskier? Jaskier is the lovable bard who meets Geralt in a tavern after getting booed by the audience. He wound up traveling with Geralt during some of his quests to kill various monsters in the world, intending to improve the Witcher’s public image with his songs. Over time, their relationship has grown deeper and fonder, making him an important ally by the time of season 4.

Where have I seen Joey Batey? Batey has appeared in series such as Whitechapel, Strike, The War of the Worlds and Lucky Man, and also appeared as Jaskier in spin-off series The Witcher: Blood Origin.

Laurence Fishburne as Regis

Who is Regis? A fan favourite character from the novels, Regis makes his live-action debut in The Witcher season 4.

Fishburne told TUDUM: "Geralt is becoming much more introspective in this season and is really struggling with some deeper emotions. He's somebody that is not accustomed to embracing his emotions and expressing his emotions.

"And through his relationship with Regis, he's becoming more and more comfortable with that as a way of being."

What else has Laurence Fishburne been in? Fishburne is a widely recognised Hollywood star, owing to his work in The Matrix franchise as Morpheus, plus other iconic films such as Apocalypse Now, The Color Purple and Mystic River.

He played newspaper editor Perry White in DC Extended Universe films Man of Steel and Batman v Superman, before joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Bill Foster (aka Goliath) in 2018's Ant-Man and the Wasp.

More recently, he reunited with The Matrix co-star Keanu Reeves for John Wick: Chapters 2-4, where he played the eccentric Bowery King.

Eamon Farren plays Cahir

Who is Cahir? Cahir is the leader of the Nilfgaardian army. In season 3, Cahir was depicted as extremely loyal to Nilfgaard and determined to capture Ciri, although he was humbled and imprisoned at the end – leaving questions over what the character might do next.

Where have I seen Eamon Farren? Farren is known for appearing in films such as Winchester and The Dig and in series including The ABC Murders and Twin Peaks: The Return.

Mahesh Jadu plays Vilgefortz

Who is Vilgefortz? Vilgefortz is from the Brotherhood of Sorcerers and a key villain in the fourth season.

Where have I seen Mahesh Jadu? Jadu is best-known for playing Doug in Neighbours, while he has also appeared in Marco Polo and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Mimî M Khayisa plays Fringilla

Who is Fringilla? Fringilla is a powerful Nilfgaardian sorceress who studied at Aretuza alongside Yennefer. In season 4, she is unsure of which side to join in a brewing conflict.

Where have I seen Mimî M Khayisa? Khayisa has appeared in series including Doctor Who, Yonderland, In the Long Run and Mr Selfridge. She has also had roles in films including Cinderella, The Legend of Tarzan, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Catherine Called Birdy.

Royce Pierreson plays Istredd

Who is Istredd? Istredd is a sorcerer in the Brotherhood of Sorcerers who once had a romantic relationship with Yennefer, which ultimately fell apart. He is known for his intelligence and ability to keep calm under pressure (great attributes for LinkedIn).

Where have I seen Royce Pierreson? Pierreson has appeared in series including Death in Paradise, Our Girl, Line of Duty, Wanderlust and The Irregulars, as well as in the film Judy and one-off TV special I Am Ruth.

Wilson Mbomio plays Dara

Who is Dara? Dara is a teenage elf who was on the run from the Nilfgaardian soldiers in season 1. Ciri’s grandmother ordered the death of his family.

Where have I seen Wilson Mbomio? Mbomio has appeared in the films Pan and The Favourite and series including Dickensian, Jamillah and Aladdin and Hunter Street.

Anna Shaffer plays Triss Merigold

Who is Triss Merigold? Triss is a sorceress who first met Geralt when she asked for his help in saving the Princess of Temeria. She is generally a kind-hearted soul, but the dangerous world of The Witcher could test her moral compass.

Where have I seen Anna Shaffer? Shaffer is best-known for playing Ruby in Hollyoaks and Romilda Vane in the Harry Potter film series. She has also appeared in Cuckoo, Zapped and the Doctor Who spin-off, Class.

Therica Wilson-Read plays Sabrina

Who is Sabrina Glevissig? Sabrina is a sorceress and a member of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers.

Where have I seen Therica Wilson-Read? Wilson-Read has appeared in the films Tony and Profile and the series Young Wallander.

Mecia Simson plays Francesca Findabair

Who is Francesca Findabair? Francesca is an elven sorceress who becomes Queen of the Free Elves and is determined to champion her people's interests.

Where have I seen Mecia Simson? Simson has previously appeared in the series Brave New World.

The Witcher is available to stream on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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