Henry Cavill’s highly-praised portrayal of Geralt of Rivia, the titular witcher in Netflix’s adaptation of The Witcher (2019-2022), was ultimately defined by his staunch devotion to the source material: the original novels by Andrzej Sapkowski and the beloved video games. This commitment led to key creative clashes, most notably over the character’s voice, which became a signature element of his performance.

While the sensational claim of a “$20 million demand” is not substantiated by verifiable reports and appears to be hyperbolic speculation, the true story of Cavill’s struggle for creative control over the role of Geralt underscores the immense value he placed on fidelity to the White Wolf’s lore.

One of Cavill’s most distinct and memorable contributions was his insistence on Geralt’s now-iconic, gravelly voice. Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich initially favored Cavill’s more natural speaking voice. However, Cavill, a huge fan of the games, returned after a filming break with the deeper, raspy tone—a direct homage to Doug Cockle’s legendary voice acting of Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher video game trilogy.

Cavill later explained that the rasp “made a lot of things sit better when it came to delivery of certain lines, and delivery of certain dialogue,” allowing him to instantly convey the witcher’s stony exterior and philosophical depth.

Cavill’s devotion extended well beyond dialogue. He was known for bringing copies of Sapkowski’s original books to the set to ensure accuracy. In one striking example of his commitment, his physical endurance was tested when he sustained a hamstring injury while filming Season 2. Despite the demanding nature of the final fight scenes, Cavill pushed through the pain to complete the visceral performance as the mutated monster hunter.

Furthermore, he was a strong advocate for emotional nuance. Reports suggest that in the Season 2 episode, “A Grain of Truth,” Cavill introduced an unscripted moment of intimacy, including a spontaneous kiss scene with co-star Anya Chalotra (who plays Yennefer of Vengerberg), because he believed it better reflected the evolving emotional dynamic detailed in the lore.

Despite his immense personal and physical investment, Cavill’s tenure as Geralt of Rivia concluded with Season 3. While showrunner Hissrich framed the exit as a “symbiotic decision” citing Cavill’s “plans for other roles” (such as the Amazon-produced Warhammer 40K series), the underlying cause was widely reported to be ongoing creative disagreements.

Cavill’s persistent advocacy for a more faithful interpretation of Geralt—as the intellectual and “amateur philosopher” of the novels—ultimately clashed with the show’s creative direction. His departure highlights a recurring tension in major adaptations: the friction between a star’s commitment to the beloved source material and a showrunner’s vision for a television series. The role of Geralt of Rivia has since been recast, with Liam Hemsworth taking up the mantle, marking the end of one of the most passionate star-character pairings in recent fantasy television.