Freya Allan Nearly Left The Witcher After Henry Cavill’s Exit
Freya Allan, who plays Ciri in Netflix’s The Witcher, reveals she almost left the series after Henry Cavill’s departure. Discover what made her stay and how Cavill’s influence shaped her journey on the show.
For nearly a decade, Freya Allan has embodied Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon—better known as Ciri—across four seasons of Netflix ’s The Witcher. With just one season left, Allan recently shared that her future on the show was far from certain after Henry Cavill, the original Geralt of Rivia, decided to step away following season 3. In a candid conversation, Allan admitted she seriously thought about leaving the series alongside Cavill, who was replaced by Liam Hemsworth for the upcoming seasons.
Facing Change on Set
Allan described the third season as especially tough for the cast and crew.
“Season 3 was a really difficult season for everyone. I cried because I wanted to finish the show with the guy that played my adoptive father,”
she recalled. The idea of continuing without Cavill, who had become a mentor and father figure to her on set, was hard to accept.
“For the first time, I was seeing what life away from The Witcher could look like and then the lead moves on… It was very weird. He’s the Geralt I grew up with.”
Unexpected News and Rumors
Cavill’s departure caught not only fans but also the cast off guard. Allan revealed she only found out about his exit a day before it became public knowledge. Speculation swirled about Cavill’s reasons for leaving, with some suggesting he wanted to return as Superman before the DC Universe was rebooted, while others pointed to creative disagreements with the show’s producers over Geralt’s portrayal.
Carrying the Torch
After much reflection, Allan chose to stay and continue Ciri’s story. She decided to honor Cavill’s legacy by advocating for a faithful adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s original novels.
“I really want to give fans what they want,”
she said. Inspired by Cavill’s dedication to the source material, Allan took it upon herself to push for more authentic dialogue and storylines.
“I’d also seen Henry, who was so knowledgeable and loyal to the books, push for certain lines to be included. When he left, I was inspired to take on that role.”
Looking Ahead
The Witcher’s fourth season is now available to stream, while the fifth and final season has yet to announce a release date. As fans await the next chapter, Allan’s commitment to the role and the story’s roots promises a memorable conclusion to the saga.