Netflix’s The Witcher was once considered one of the most promising fantasy series, but Season 4 has already been labeled by fans as a disaster before its release. The main reason? The departure of Henry Cavill, the man who brought Geralt of Rivia to life with unmatched dedication. While many initially speculated that Cavill left due to his commitment to Superman, it later became clear that the real reason was his growing frustration with the showrunners’ creative choices. His exit has left fans disillusioned, and many blame the show’s decline on the director’s refusal to listen to Cavill’s concerns about the series’ faithfulness to Andrzej Sapkowski’s books.

From the beginning, Henry Cavill was more than just an actor playing a role—he was a true fan of The Witcher universe. A longtime admirer of Sapkowski’s novels and the CD Projekt Red video games, Cavill was deeply invested in portraying Geralt as accurately as possible. He often spoke about his love for the source material and pushed for a more authentic adaptation that honored the original storytelling. Unfortunately, his vision clashed with the showrunners’ creative direction, leading to increasing tension behind the scenes.

Cavill’s departure was announced in late 2022, and the backlash was immediate. Fans who had been skeptical about some of the changes made to The Witcher in Season 2 and Season 3 saw this as confirmation that the show had strayed too far from its roots. Many believed that if Cavill, someone so devoted to the series, was willing to walk away, then something was seriously wrong.

One of the biggest complaints from fans has been the show’s significant deviation from Sapkowski’s books. While Season 1 was praised for staying relatively faithful to the source material, later seasons took major creative liberties, introducing unnecessary subplots and altering key character arcs. Cavill, as both a fan and the lead actor, frequently tried to advocate for a more accurate adaptation, but his efforts were reportedly ignored.

Behind-the-scenes reports suggest that Cavill repeatedly clashed with the writers, who allegedly did not respect the original lore. This growing creative conflict ultimately led to his decision to leave. Instead of addressing these concerns, the showrunners doubled down on their vision, alienating the very audience that had supported the show from the beginning.

After Cavill’s departure, Netflix announced that Liam Hemsworth would take over the role of Geralt in Season 4. This casting decision was met with overwhelming negativity, as fans felt that no one could replace Cavill’s performance. While Hemsworth is a capable actor, many believe that his portrayal of Geralt will lack the depth and passion that Cavill brought to the character.

The backlash has been so severe that a significant portion of the Witcher fanbase has vowed to boycott Season 4. Social media has been flooded with demands to cancel the show entirely, with many arguing that Netflix should have worked harder to retain Cavill rather than forcing him out. Some fans have even started online petitions calling for Cavill’s return, though it is unlikely that Netflix will reconsider its decision.

With Season 4 moving forward without its original lead, The Witcher is at risk of becoming one of Netflix’s biggest failures. The streaming giant has already lost many viewers who were initially drawn to the show because of Cavill’s involvement, and early indications suggest that interest in the upcoming season is at an all-time low.

Adding to the uncertainty, even some of the show’s cast members have subtly expressed disappointment with the creative direction. Many have acknowledged Cavill’s impact on the series, with some even hinting at their own frustrations with the writing. This further fuels the narrative that Cavill’s departure was not just a personal choice but a result of deeper issues within the production.

At this point, it seems unlikely that The Witcher will recover from this backlash. Unless Netflix takes drastic action to address fan concerns—such as bringing back Cavill in some capacity or committing to a more faithful adaptation—the series may continue to lose viewership.

In the world of fantasy television, loyal fans are everything. Shows like Game of Thrones suffered immense backlash for betraying their core audience, and The Witcher appears to be heading down a similar path. If Season 4 fails to impress, it could spell the end of what was once one of Netflix’s most promising franchises.

Ultimately, ignoring Henry Cavill’s vision may go down as one of the worst decisions Netflix has ever made. As fans continue to express their disappointment, the fate of The Witcher now hangs in the balance.