Australian actor Liam Hemsworth brutally mocks Henry Cavill live on TV as Netflix drops major update on Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher Season 4, sparking heated debate
In a shocking turn of events, Australian actor Liam Hemsworth stirred massive controversy after publicly mocking Henry Cavill during a live television appearance. The incident occurred just hours after Netflix released a highly anticipated update on Season 4 of The Witcher, in which Hemsworth officially takes over the role of Geralt of Rivia from Cavill. What was supposed to be a promotional moment quickly turned into a viral spectacle that divided fans across the internet.
During his appearance on an Australian talk show, Hemsworth was asked about the pressure of stepping into Cavill’s shoes for one of Netflix’s most iconic fantasy series. Laughing, he quipped, “Well, I guess I’ll try not to make Geralt sound like he’s reading Shakespeare every time he grunts.” The audience chuckled, but the jab didn’t go unnoticed. Many viewers interpreted the comment as a direct insult toward Cavill’s intense and stoic portrayal of the monster hunter, which has been both praised and criticized for its seriousness. Within minutes, social media exploded with clips of the moment, and #HenryCavill began trending worldwide.
Fans of Cavill, who famously left The Witcher after Season 3 due to reported creative differences with Netflix, were quick to defend him. “You don’t get to mock the man who carried the show for three seasons,” one Twitter user wrote. Others accused Hemsworth of disrespecting Cavill’s legacy, saying that humor like this could hurt his image before he even appears on screen as Geralt. On Reddit, a thread discussing the incident reached tens of thousands of comments within hours, with fans debating whether Hemsworth’s comment was meant as playful banter or genuine mockery.
Meanwhile, Netflix added fuel to the fire by releasing new behind-the-scenes footage of The Witcher Season 4, featuring a first glimpse of Hemsworth in costume. The streaming giant confirmed that production is well underway and that the upcoming season will explore darker themes and deeper emotional arcs for Geralt. However, what should have been an exciting reveal quickly became overshadowed by the growing backlash online. Some fans even threatened to boycott the series, claiming that the “magic of the original Geralt” left with Cavill.
Industry insiders, however, suggest that the controversy might actually work in Netflix’s favor. “This kind of publicity, whether positive or negative, keeps the show in the spotlight,” one Hollywood analyst commented. “People who weren’t planning to watch Season 4 might now tune in just to see if Hemsworth can pull it off.”
As of now, neither Hemsworth nor Cavill has officially commented on the viral clip. Netflix, too, has remained silent on the matter, likely hoping the storm will pass before the series premieres. Still, the internet remains ablaze with opinions, memes, and speculation about how this offhand remark might shape the public’s perception of the new Geralt.
One thing is certain: Liam Hemsworth’s reign as the White Wolf hasn’t even begun, and it’s already surrounded by drama. Whether he can win over Cavill’s loyal fanbase or become the face of a divided fandom remains to be seen when The Witcher returns to Netflix in 2026.
