The Witcher’s Ciri Actor Nearly Quit With Henry Cavill, the Geralt She Grew Up With

Freya Allan almost walked away from The Witcher when Henry Cavill did. She didn’t, obviously, and season 4 is already out there with Liam Hemsworth swinging the silver sword. But the decision wasn’t quick or easy, and the way she tells it, it came down to finishing what she started — and protecting what fans love about the story.

How close Freya Allan came to leaving

Allan has been Ciri — full name Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, if you want the whole royal signature — for eight years and four seasons, with one final season still to go. She told NME she spent a solid chunk of time genuinely considering exiting after season 3, right alongside Cavill.

'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... 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.'

If that sounds blindsiding, it kind of was. Allan says she found out Cavill was leaving only a day before the news became public. That tracks with how shocking it felt at the time — for fans and, apparently, for the people making the show.

Why Cavill left? Pick your rumor

There’s been plenty of chatter about why Cavill bailed after season 3. One camp says he stepped away to line up a return as Superman before James Gunn and Peter Safran took over DC Studios and reset the whole Man of Steel situation with David Corenswet. Another theory is that he clashed with The Witcher producers over how Geralt of Rivia should be portrayed. None of that is confirmed, but it’s the speculation that’s been floating around.

Why Allan stayed — and what changed

Once Allan decided to stick with Ciri, she flipped a switch. She says she made the most of every moment on set and, interestingly, took over a cause that Cavill was known for: pushing the show to hew closer to Andrzej Sapkowski’s books.

'I really want to give fans what they want,' she said. '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.'

The state of The Witcher right now

• Freya Allan has played Ciri across eight years and four seasons, with one final season still to come.
• Henry Cavill left after season 3; Allan says she learned about it a day before it went public.
• Liam Hemsworth takes over as Geralt for seasons 4 and 5.
• Allan seriously considered leaving too, but stayed — and is now championing closer adherence to Sapkowski’s books.
• The Witcher season 4 is streaming now on Netflix; season 5 is the final season and does not have a premiere date yet.