OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
As the world of The Witcher continues to expand on Netflix, fans have been met with an unexpected twist—Henry Cavill, the iconic actor who has brought Geralt of Rivia to life on the small screen, will not be voicing the character in the new animated movie, Sirens of the Deep. While Geralt’s role remains central to the plot of the movie, voiced by another actor, the absence of Cavill’s familiar voice has raised some interesting questions.
Netflix’s The Witcher universe is growing rapidly. With the upcoming debut of The Witcher Season 4, set to introduce Liam Hemsworth as the new Geralt, Sirens of the Deep serves as the latest addition to this expanding universe. Dropping on Netflix on February 11, 2025, the movie—directed by Kang Hei Chul and based on the short story A Little Sacrifice from the collection Sword of Destiny—focuses on Geralt navigating a dangerous conflict between humans and sea creatures. Alongside Jaskier, voiced by Joey Batey, Geralt embarks on a mission to prevent a war between their kingdoms.
However, despite its ties to the main Witcher series, Sirens of the Deep marks a notable shift: it features a new voice for Geralt, replacing Cavill with a new actor. The reason behind this change lies in the timing of Cavill’s departure from the series.
Cavill’s Departure from The Witcher
In October 2022, Henry Cavill made the unexpected announcement that he would be leaving The Witcher after Season 3. This decision shocked fans, who had grown to associate Cavill with the character of Geralt. Along with the announcement of Cavill’s departure came the revelation that Liam Hemsworth would be taking over the role of Geralt starting in Season 4. As the show gears up for its fourth season and Hemsworth prepares to fill the iconic role, fans are already looking ahead to see how the new Geralt will compare to Cavill’s portrayal.
Although the news of Cavill’s exit was confirmed before Sirens of the Deep was officially announced, it remains unclear when Cavill’s decision to leave the show was made in relation to the movie’s development. The Sirens of the Deep project was first unveiled at Netflix’s Tudum event in September 2021, while Cavill’s exit came a year later, in 2022. This leaves open the possibility that Cavill had already decided to leave by the time the movie was in pre-production, or that Netflix simply chose not to delay the project to accommodate his departure.
A Changing of the Guard
By the time the official announcement of Sirens of the Deep was made, Cavill had already confirmed his exit, leaving the team behind the movie to proceed without him. While Sirens of the Deep continues to be set in the same continuity as the main Witcher series, it appears that the movie’s creators decided to move forward with a new voice for Geralt, in line with the shift that will happen in the upcoming seasons.
It’s also worth noting that Sirens of the Deep is an animated film, which can sometimes create a different dynamic when it comes to voice casting. Animated characters often receive distinct voices to match the stylized visuals and to fit the narrative tone of the story. In the case of Geralt, the change in voice actor could simply be a creative decision, influenced by the nature of the animated format, as well as the ongoing shifts in casting for the live-action series.
What’s Next for the Witcher Franchise?
The transition from Cavill to Hemsworth may have come as a surprise to fans, but it’s clear that Netflix is committed to expanding the Witcher universe. With Sirens of the Deep out now and The Witcher Season 4 coming soon, it’s an exciting time to be a fan of the series. Whether Cavill’s absence in the animated movie is a mere blip or an indication of a new direction for the franchise, one thing remains certain: Geralt’s story is far from over.
In the end, the absence of Cavill’s voice in Sirens of the Deep serves as a reminder that the Witcher universe is constantly evolving, and with the changes ahead, we can expect more surprising and thrilling adventures in the years to come. While we may not hear Cavill’s voice in this new chapter, the legend of Geralt lives on.