'The Witcher' Is Finally on Netflix and Fans Are Calling Henry Cavill's Geralt of Rivia 'Perfect'
Netflix's highly anticipated new fantasy series The Witcher finally arrived on Friday.
The show, based on Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski's novel series of the same name, follows the story of monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, played by Henry Cavill. Throughout the beast slayer's journey, he learns about the wickedness of humans and the increasingly volatile world around him—forces that may be more insidious than the creatures he's sent to kill—and his life forever changes when destiny unites him with a powerful sorceress and a young princess with a dangerous secret.
Fans of the six-book and two-collection series have been waiting for the show's release since the streaming network first announced it over the summer, and they were quick to share their excitement at the show's arrival Friday.
While some fans initially expressed concerns over Cavill's casting as the series lead, those fears seemed to subside as dozens of people praised the former Superman star for his performance in The Witcher.
"I'm 10 minutes into #TheWitcherNetflix and I take back all the s**t I was talking about Cavill being Geralt. HES PERFECT. THIS SHOW IS PERFECT," one viewer wrote on Twitter on Friday morning.
I’m 10 minutes into #TheWitcherNetflix and I take back all the shit I was talking about Cavill being Geralt. HES PERFECT. THIS SHOW IS PERFECT. pic.twitter.com/YIbtaBYHtB
— Lola Dreambomb (@Lola_Dreambomb) December 20, 2019
Another wrote, "Henry Cavill is absolutely perfect as Geralt."
Fans were particularly pleased with Anya Chalotra's performance as Yennefer of Vengerberg. "Anya's acting is amazing, honest and real. after the first scene she made me cry. she is amazing, I can't wait for Yennefer inner transformation," one Twitter user wrote.
anya's acting is amazing, honest and real. after the first scene she made me cry. she is amazing, I can't wait for yennefer inner transformation. pic.twitter.com/YSOJM5OG7Z
— marysia | tw spoilers (@topielice) December 20, 2019
Viewers also couldn't help but point out some of the thematic similarities the Netflix series shared with HBO multi-award winning series Game of Thrones.
Me watching #TheWitcherNetflix after what Game of Thrones did pic.twitter.com/JPUWNIYht8
— Julia (@JuliaCHowie) December 20, 2019
While The Witcher and George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series, the basis for the HBO show, both live in the fantasy genre, The Witcher showrunner Lauren Schmidt insisted the Netflix show was completely different.
"When people first started asking me, I hadn't even thought about it, because I'm a huge fan of Game of Thrones," Schmidt told Digital Spy in an interview released Friday. "I loved watching it. When people started saying, 'Could you be the next Game of Thrones?', it's like, 'What?!'"
"I think what people are saying: 'Can you be as successful and popular as Game of Thrones?' God, we hope so! I mean, why wouldn't you want that?," she continued. "To me, I think that Game of Thrones has kicked open a lot of doors for fantasy on television. I think fantasy used to be seen as for a very niche audience, mostly male, mostly geeks and nerds. That's who fantasy was for. And Game of Thrones said, 'No, anyone can find themselves in fantasy'. Because, when done correctly, fantasy is a reflection of our real world."
Although the shows are different in theme and plot, showrunners are hopeful the series will experience similar success with fans, which already seems to be the case based on early social media reactions.
The Witcher was renewed for Season 2 back in November with plans for production to begin in London at the top of 2020, according to Variety.
See a few fan reactions to Netflix's newest fantasy series below.
#TheWitcherNetflix Henry Cavill is absolutely perfect as Geralt pic.twitter.com/doP5563oHF
— Thomas💜⊃∪∩⪽ (@TxZ1872) December 20, 2019
I cannot wait to start this series off today! Henry Cavill is the perfect guy to play this perfect character.
— Emma Sheridan (@EmmaGB90) December 20, 2019
I can already predict the eye rolling of my partner every time Geralt shows a bit of skin 😂
Fuck going out tonight, I'm binge watching #TheWitcherNetflix pic.twitter.com/ZjTcnyt5bu
1 episode down. This is #TheWitcherNetflix I wanted! The action and the story has me hooked. Henry Cavill is the perfect Geralt. Great job @LHissrich
— Brian Meaney (@BeanoMeano) December 20, 2019
Yennefer's origin story got me emotional. 😢ðŸ‘ðŸ¼#TheWitcherNetflix pic.twitter.com/zh1lFlv0Zi
— Dustin王 (@_adiduzz) December 20, 2019
So I watched the first episode so far and let me tell I had a lot of expectations and it was even more perfect that I could dream of the music, the acting, the visual it's really close to the book imo I can't wait to watch the rest ep here I come #TheWitcherNetflix
— Maurane 💫 (@maurane95) December 20, 2019
Me: I will be productive today
— BombenBetty (@BombenBetty) December 20, 2019
Netflix: Season 1 of The Witcher is now available
Me: Guess I have no other choice #TheWitcherNetflix pic.twitter.com/4VNQOnBbE1
The director of #TheWitcherNetflix's pilot was one of the guy who did a bunch of Game of Thrones episodes.
— Sam Maleski (@LookingForTelos) December 20, 2019
This is the kind of shots that The Witcher has. Just sayin', one show is winning in the art department. pic.twitter.com/xZZizKUfk2
holy shit. henry cavill is perfect. the best Geralt i could have hoped for #TheWitcherNetflix pic.twitter.com/36McxDVLBZ
— Mateo ♚ (@christianmateo_) December 20, 2019
I’m half way through #TheWitcherNetflix and as of right now it’s blowing my expectations out the bloody water! I’m here for the fight scenes and I’m here for fucking Yennefer origin story! 😤🗣💙 pic.twitter.com/gRVjkCjGpU
— Luke A. Trivisonno (@LukeTrivisonno) December 20, 2019
