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.
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10. Charlie Hunnam
Charlie Hunnam wouldn’t be our first pick to play Geralt, but we think he can pull it off. Best known for his role as Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy, Hunnam has proven he can portray a complex and morally ambiguous character with depth.
Hunnam’s depiction of Jax, a character grappling with moral dilemmas and the pressures of leadership, demonstrates his capacity to convey depth and vulnerability. These qualities are essential for portraying Geralt, who similarly navigates a morally ambiguous world as a monster hunter.
At the same time, Hunnam also has experience in epic, action-oriented roles like King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and Pacific Rim.
9. Alexander Skarsgård
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
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
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
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
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 rugged appearance, 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
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
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, who can be not only stoic but also caring and soft when he chooses to.
2. Anson Mount
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
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 commanding presence and a proven track record of playing serious, complex characters. Mads has had many roles that display the subtlety, physical prowess, and emotional depth needed to play 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, highlighting his ability to portray the depth needed to embody 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.
Gleb has been playing PC games since the late 1990s and has always enjoyed RPGs the most (Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Elder Scrolls, WoW, Dark Souls, etc.). He had tons of fun playing Witcher 3, so he made this website for discussion, guides, and other info related to the Witcher game, books, and cinematic universe. He travels the world as a digital nomad and spends his time working on website projects, practicing kickboxing, and telling people how awesome intermittent fasting is.