Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (2024)

Henry Cavill is undoubtedly the actor that comes to mind when we talk about depictions of Geralt in shows and films.

But with his departure from the role and Liam Hemsworth’s controversial casting, many fans are clamoring for someone else to take up the mantle of the stoic monster hunter.

In our opinion, the following ten actors are the best suited to portray Geralt in a future Witcher movie or show.We also tried to imagine what each one of them would look like in the role.

Table of Contents

  • 10. Aaron Taylor Johnson
  • 9. Alexander Skarsgård
  • 8. Travis Fimmel
  • 7. Karl Urban
  • 6. Luke Evans
  • 5. Richard Armitage
  • 4. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
  • 3. Zach McGowan
  • 2. Anson Mount
  • 1. Mads Mikkelsen

10. Aaron Taylor Johnson

Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (1)

British actor Aaron Taylor Johnson wouldn’t be our first pick for Geralt, but he can pull it off. Johnson has played many roles that required a mix of physicality and intensity, including a psychopathic drifter in Nocturnal Animals, a hitman in the action flick Bullet Train, and his upcoming role in Kraven the Hunter.

He has also done plenty of dramas, highlighting his acting ability. The only downside is that his voice is a little high, but that’s something that can be trained or even modified to an extent.

9. Alexander Skarsgård

Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (2)

Alexander Skarsgård is a lowkey solid pick to play Geralt. He proved it by playing a fierce Viking prince obsessed with revenge in The Northman, where he shed his trimmed look for a long-haired, bearded warrior.

Skarsgård’s portrayal showcases his ability to embody a brooding, stoic character who can express his emotions without much talking, qualities that parallel Geralt’s persona.

At the same time, his towering height, slender build, and overall physical presence fit well with Geralt’s rugged appearance and intensity.

8. Travis Fimmel

Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (3)

Travis Fimmel isn’t the first name that comes up when thinking of Geralt. But his captivating performance as Ragnar Lothbrok in Vikings showed he can embody a character with emotional depth, intelligence, and physical prowess, all of which are important for playing the rugged witcher.

As Ragnar, he seamlessly transitions between moments of intense action and quiet introspection, much like Geralt. Additionally, Fimmel’s physicality and rugged charm make him a natural fit, especially since he already played a cunning warrior in a medieval setting.

7. Karl Urban

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Karl Urban is a seasoned actor with a long record of playing intense, mentally and physically tough characters. The most relevant to Geralt would undoubtedly be his roles in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Boys, Star Trek, and Dredd.

His portrayal of Éomer in The Lord of the Rings is especially applicable: a seasoned, stoic warrior with a strong sense of duty and honor. But his other roles also highlight his wide range, especially the kind of dry wit and sarcasm that Geralt is known for, as in The Boys.

To top it off, his rugged appearance and commanding presence are well-suited for Geralt.

6. Luke Evans

Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (5)

Luke Evans would be a superb choice to portray Geralt in a show or movie adaptation. His roles in The Hobbit trilogy and Dracula Untold prove that Evans has the chops to portray heroic figures in a medieval fantasy setting. In both cases, he displays impressive combat skills, resilience, and a quiet determination, qualities that translate well to Geralt.

He’s also a great fit for Geralt physically, with rugged good looks, a charismatic presence, and a voice that’s suited perfectly for the brooding witcher. His portrayal of Dracula is particularly well done and shows that Evans can do a great job of playing a character with a hint of darkness.

5. Richard Armitage

Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (6)

Richard Armitage has already proven he can play multifaceted medieval warriors with fantasy elements in his roles as Thorin in The Hobbit trilogy, Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood, and Trevor Belmont in the animated series Castlevania.

Particularly as Thorin Oakenshield, Armitage shows a stoic yet vulnerable character with a brooding demeanor who cares for his friends, much akin to Geralt.

On top of that, Armitage’s natural charisma, and deep, commanding voice make him a natural fit for Geralt. He has the physicality and intensity required to portray a skilled warrior and monster hunter convincingly.

4. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (7)

Most of us remember Nikolaj Coster-Waldau for his unforgettable role as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones. He has the rugged good looks, charisma, and sword skills that translate perfectly to Geralt. Better yet, he portrays them in a brutal fantasy world that bears many similarities to the Witcher universe.

Another underscored strength of Coster-Waldau is that he does a great job of portraying Jaime Lannister’s redemption arc, going from a villain to a good guy. This proves that he has the range needed to play a character as complex as Geralt, who can be, at times, funny, soft-spoken, fierce, and caring.

3. Zach McGowan

Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (8)

Zach McGowan is one of the best matches for Geralt. Known for his roles in Black Sails as Charles Vane and The 100 as Roan, the long-haired McGowan has proven his ability to portray rugged, complex characters with depth and intensity.

He has the looks, physique, deep voice, brooding demeanor, and enigmatic allure needed to play a complex protagonist.

And he can act, too; something that’s certainly needed for a character as complex as Geralt.

2. Anson Mount

Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (9)

The lesser-known Anson Mount is another fantastic choice to portray Geralt. Known for his role as Cullen Bohannon in Hell on Wheels, Mount has the look, presence, and ability to play morally complex characters with a dark past.

His portrayal of Bohannon, a former Confederate soldier seeking vengeance, showcased his ability to bring depth, intensity, brooding demeanor, and subtle facial expressions essential for Geralt.

Mount has also shown versatility in his acting, able to convey both strength and vulnerability, essential for portraying Geralt’s stoic yet caring personality.

1. Mads Mikkelsen

Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (10)

Most Witcher fans believe Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen is the best choice to portray Geralt, and we agree. For starters, Mads has the perfect look to play the witcher: handsome, weathered, and intense.

He’s also an excellent actor with a proven track record of playing serious, complex characters. Mads has had many roles that display the subtlety, physical prowess, and emotional depth needed for Geralt.

They include Bond villain Le Chiffre in Casino Royale, Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal, Kaecilius in Doctor Strange, Norse warrior One-Eye in Valhalla Rising, and Markus, a soldier seeking revenge for his wife’s death in Riders of Justice.

The last two are particularly relevant to portraying Geralt, as both are brooding, stoic characters with impressive combat skills. Mads is a master of conveying emotion through subtle facial expressions and has effectively played both heroes and villains, which translates well to playing Geralt.

Overall, Mikkelsen’s talent, charisma, and experience make him the #1 choice to portray Geralt in a way that honors the character’s complexity.

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Gleb Oleinik

Gleb has played PC games since the late 1990s and has always enjoyed RPGs the most. He had tons of fun playing Witcher 3 and learning about the greater Witcher universe, so he made this website for news, guides, and other info related to the Witcher games, books, and cinematic universe. He travels the world as a digital nomad while working on website projects, kickboxing, and telling people how awesome intermittent fasting is.

Witcher: 10 Best Actors That Can Play Geralt, Ranked (2024)

FAQs

Who would play a good Geralt? ›

Yes, Henry Cavill did an amazing job as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher series. But, let's all agree that Mads Mikkelsen would have been a perfect rendition of the stoic monster-fighter. And it's not just us who think that Mads Mikkelsen would be perfect for the role, but also the author himself.

Who was supposed to play Geralt in The Witcher? ›

The Australian actor is taking over the role originated by Henry Cavill – who played the character in the show's first three seasons. First-look imagery shows Hemsworth with Geralt's famous long, white hair from behind.

Is Henry Cavill the perfect Geralt? ›

Everyone loved his accidental improvisation, and it became a staple of his character. Along with his raspy voice, everything Cavill brought to the role of Geralt will forever solidify him as a perfect casting in the series.

Who is the best choice for Geralt? ›

Both Triss And Yennefer Are Viable Options

Throughout the game, Geralt has the option of romancing Triss, Yennefer, or both. If he chooses both, he deservedly gets rejected. Picking Yennefer feels like a canonical choice.

Who else auditioned for Geralt of Rivia? ›

Geralt of Rivia

Who auditioned: Max Beesley, Royce Pierreson (who now plays Istredd), Michael McIntyre, Wolfgang Cerny, Adam Fergus, and the eternally thirsty Zach McGowan.

Why did Henry Cavill stop playing The Witcher? ›

Neither Cavill nor the show's creators have given a reason for his departure. However, in 2021, Cavill told the Philippine Star that he struggled to find a "balance between the showrunners' vision and my love for the books," and asked for several changes to his character in season two.

Who did Geralt get pregnant? ›

As thanks, Duny asks what he could offer Geralt for saving his life and Geralt responded "that which you already have but do not know", revealing to the group that Pavetta was in fact pregnant. This child turned out to be Ciri.

Who was the first choice to play The Witcher? ›

That said, Hemsworth hasn't landed the role just because he happened to be standing nearby when Henry quit. According to Witcher fan site Redanian Intelligence, he actually auditioned for the job in 2018, and while the gig ultimately went to Cavill, Hemsworth was one of the frontrunners.

Why won t Henry Cavill play Geralt? ›

"It's important for me to have the character be three-dimensional," he told Philstar. “And it's tricky to do, as I was saying earlier, because there's a certain vision and there's a certain set storyline and plot. And so, it was about me trying to find Geralt's place within that.

Who should replace Henry Cavill as Witcher? ›

The Witcher Season 4 will replace its titular character, Geralt of Rivia. Henry Cavill will no longer don the ash-white wig, the suit of armor, and the twin swords. The Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth will step into Cavill's very large shoes and become the new Geralt starting with Season 4.

Why was Henry Cavill replaced as Geralt? ›

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in November 2021, Cavill said he was “absolutely” committed to telling Geralt's story for seven seasons, on one condition: “As long as we can keep telling great stories which honor Sapkowski's work.” It's possible that the show was beginning to diverge too much from the ...

Can a girl be a Witcher? ›

Yes, there have been female witchers. The Cat School has had female witchers, for sure, though I don't know if the others have seen many females. Ciri was trained as a Wolf school witcher, but isn't a legitimate witcher, since she never underwent the Trial of the Grasses.

What is Henry Cavill's next film? ›

Can any human become a Witcher? ›

Witchers are humans taken as children, trained, and physically mutated for the purpose of killing monsters. They were created to protect settlers from the monsters that roamed the wilderness before the continent was fully settled, and they possess superhuman strength and speed among other unique abilities.

Is Geralt considered attractive? ›

10 Geralt Isn't Exactly Good-Looking In The Books

Rather, Geralt is actually quite an evil-looking witcher, with hollowed-out eyes, pale skin, and a face that's marred by scars.

Who will replace Henry Cavill as Geralt? ›

In one of the more high-profile recastings of recent times, Liam Hemsworth was tapped to replace Henry Cavill in the title role in fantasy series The Witcher.

Who is the best partner for Geralt? ›

Strong, independent, and powerful — Yennefer is the most powerful sorceress in the world, and if Geralt chooses her and only her, she'll be there for him at the end too. Given their shared history, it's easy to see why so many people consider Yennefer to be one of the best The Witcher 3 romance options.

Who is more powerful than Geralt? ›

Vilgefortz is more powerful than Geralt of Rivia and Yennefer of Vengerberg, and defeating them might be easy for him, but the same can't be said if he faces Ciri.

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