Fans of The Witcher may debate Liam Hemsworth as Geralt, but at least one notable name in the franchise is a fan: Doug Cockle, who played the White Wolf in CD Projekt Red's acclaimed video games.
The Witcher season 4 has dropped and the debate about it is high. While there were criticisms of the story, pacing, and changes from the books, the biggest discussion was about Liam Hemsworth taking over the role of Geralt from Henry Cavill. While Hemsworth had supporters for his performance, others criticized him as a pale imitation of Cavill, and the season suffered without him.
However, one notable person who knows Geralt better than anyone is backing Hemsworth. At the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards, Doug Cockle, who voiced Geralt in three hit video games as well as The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep, presented the award for Best Storytelling alongside Ciara Berkley, who voices Ciri in The Witcher 4. Afterward, Cockle talked to GamesRadar about the series and how he feels Hemsworth is more than worthy of the role of Geralt.
"I loved Henry. He was a fantastic Witcher, Geralt specifically, so I was sad to see him go, but I have watched the newest season, and I think Liam holds up pretty well," he said.
Cockle’s words may resonate with fans who could be judging Hemsworth a bit too harshly in comparison to Cavill.
Why Liam Hemsworth’s Witcher is different
Cockle’s words should be worth weighing for fans of the show. Hemsworth was always going to be in Cavill’s shadow and his early take on the role lacked some of the gravitas of Cavill. His Geralt didn’t seem as intimidating or collected, but that does fit the storyline of Geralt off his game hunting for Ciri amid various threats.
It wasn’t helped by how season 4 expanded the storyline and characters to the point that Geralt sometimes felt pushed to the background. There was also the simple fact that Hemsworth's performance wasn’t the same — though Cockle believes that was a plus for the part.
"He's different," Cockle said of Hemsworth. "He's made it his own character, and that's what he should have done as an actor, and I think he's done a fantastic job. So I'm looking forward to seeing season five eventually, and seeing where it goes."
The season did come together with a great finale that sets up Geralt in a new role as a knight, while still tracking Ciri. Hemsworth was capable in the part and proved himself as a worthy successor to Cavill, just with his own personal touches to separate the performance while keeping to the spirit of the character.
It may simply be that fans hated the change because Cavill had embodied the role so well that he even brought in viewers who didn't know the property. Perhaps if Hemsworth was the one cast from the start, his performance would be better received. He was good in the part, just not as great as Cavill had been.
With the fifth and final season coming, Hemsworth has a chance to sway the doubters, and if a former Geralt like Cockle thinks he’s got the goods in the role, perhaps viewers can come around, too.
The Witcher season 4 is now streaming on Netflix.