Netflix has announced that Liam Hemsworth will be taking the role of Geralt of Rivia for Season 4 of The Witcher, replacing Henry Cavill in a surprise move that no one expected.

Season 4, which was also announced, was considerably overshadowed by the fact that crowd-favorite Henry Cavill is being replaced by a talented Liam Hemsworth, a major revelation that caught fans by surprise.

“My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4. In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf,” shared Cavill. “As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam’s take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men. Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find.”

“As a Witcher fan I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia. Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I’m honoured that he’s handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the White Wolf’s blades for the next chapter of his adventure,” a thrilled Hemsworth shares. “Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you brought to this beloved character. I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world.”

Fans of The Witcher and the respective actors have made their thoughts known on social media, with an obvious sadness due to Cavill departing the role that many have deemed perfect for the talented actor, well-known gamer, and all-around geek.

It will be interesting to see how this change will affect viewership of the upcoming season and if The Witcher fans will receive Hemsworth as a suitable replacement for Cavill.