Netflix’s “The Witcher” sparked heated discussions already in the first season. After the end of the third one, and earlier the information about Henry Cavill’s departure from the production, things got hotter, to put it very mildly. Liam Hemsworth takes over the baton in the latest episodes. Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan return.
In the fourth season, the creators combine motifs from the novel with elements from the games and add several threads, mainly related to wizards and sorceresses; Yennefer and Vilgefortz. Ciri joins the Rats and embarks on a dark path, and Geralt’s path eventually connects with the fate of Regis (Laurence Fishburne).
Katarzyna Ulman, Interia: How does it feel to play the role of Geralt and slay monsters?
Liam Hemsworth: It’s a wonderful experience. I’m a huge fan of this character and was very excited to step into this world. I was also really intrigued by this part of Geralt’s story. I had a lot of fun with this. There are so many great actors around me with whom I could face this world. These stories are great for me to play. Of course, others too. I had fun with this project.
The fourth season (and the fifth) are very important for Ciri. How would you describe your character’s journey through the latest episodes?
Freya Allan: A lot has happened to her. At the end of the third season, she gave up her powers. It was the first time she had killed someone. All this and her journey through the desert was the bridge beyond which she leaves her innocence. Now she has chosen a more brutal path, and she also has her first intimate experience. However, most of all, he runs away from many things from his past in the fourth season. She is constantly haunted by the fear of who she is slowly becoming. She knows that Geralt and Yennefer are out there somewhere, but she feels that they are better off without her. She wants to leave them before he leaves her. While traveling with the Rats, she feels free for a moment – she has carried a heavy burden on her shoulders all her life, everyone expected something from her. She wants to find out who she is without all this. Is he more than that? He has ups and downs on this journey, but we see that he cannot escape who he is and where he comes from.
Yennefer has faced many challenges over the past three seasons. Anya, what awaits her in the fourth series?
Anya Chalotra: After the death of Tissai, who was like a mother to her, she was her mentor. The person who surrounded her with the love she always wanted. He is also on a ruthless path, knowing that he has nothing left in this world. Nothing and no one to rely on except herself and what she learned from Tissai.
And he’s building an army
Exactly. The only way forward is to gather all the brilliant minds and powers of the sorceresses to stop and trick Vilgefortz.
Considering all the seasons of “The Witcher”, how would you sum up your adventure with production? Its impact on your life or career?
Freya Allan: I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to play this character. I have fallen in love with this character all over again these last two seasons. It was a joy to meet everyone from the cast and crew. For me it was a kind of acting school. I feel like I learned everything while working on set. I’m leaving being a completely different actress than when I started. And another person. All this gave me a lot of self-confidence. I’m grateful for that.
Liam Hemsworth: Working on this project was an amazing experience. Collaboration with many fantastic actors. I was delighted with this character but also surprised by many of the things he goes through. Filming a series is very different from working on a movie set. My career has been dominated by films – here the whole process is a marathon, but it gives you more time with your character.
What was the biggest challenge while working on set?
Liam Hemsworth: Fight scenes are always difficult, but in a different way than emotionally. I got hit quite a bit while filming the show – shoulders, knees, back. You devote a lot of time to these scenes and choreography, but when you do everything perfectly and see how everything is in rhythm, it is extremely satisfying. It’s a great feeling – after all those many hours you spent with stuntmen, stunt doubles and actors. It’s especially difficult when you fight people who are not monsters (laughter). It’s a great satisfaction, but it must be admitted that this work requires great attention to detail.
See also: The most beautiful couple on television. After a decade, they triumphantly return to the screens