What is the status of "The Witcher" franchise on Netflix?

The Witcher franchise has been a massive success for Netflix, generating nearly $930 million in revenue from 2020 through the first half of 2025, and the upcoming fourth season may push it over the $1 billion mark.

How is the casting change from Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth impacting the show?

The casting change from Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth is a billion-dollar gamble for Netflix, as early data suggests a potential enthusiasm gap, with global demand for the fourth season trailing behind previous seasons.

What are the risks associated with the casting change in "The Witcher"?

The casting change from Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth risks alienating the existing fanbase of the show, as Hemsworth's audience is more female-skewing and younger compared to Cavill's audience, which closely aligns with the show's demographic.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Netflix's Billion-Dollar Gamble: Can Liam Hemsworth Succeed Henry Cavill in 'The Witcher'?

Netflix's Billion-Dollar Gamble: Can Liam Hemsworth Succeed Henry Cavill in 'The Witcher'?

10 Oct

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Summary

Global demand for "The Witcher" season 4 trails previous seasons
Casting change from Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth risks alienating existing fanbase
"The Witcher" has generated nearly $930M for Netflix so far

Netflix's Billion-Dollar Gamble: Can Liam Hemsworth Succeed Henry Cavill in 'The Witcher'?

As of October 10th, 2025, Netflix's hit fantasy series "The Witcher" is set to return for its fourth season, but it faces a significant challenge: a new leading man. Henry Cavill, who has been the face of the show since its debut, is passing the silver sword to Liam Hemsworth. This casting change is a billion-dollar gamble, with both fans and the industry closely watching to see how it will play out.

Early data from Parrot Analytics suggests Netflix may have reason for concern. Global demand for "The Witcher" in the lead-up to its fourth season is tracking behind where the show was ahead of its second and third seasons. Four weeks out from the premiere, the show had less than 30x the average series demand globally, compared to 35x and 41.5x for the previous seasons at the same point in time. Additionally, the spikes in demand around pre-release trailer drops have been more subdued than in previous years.