Within the expansive realm of fantasy on television, The Witcher has always found a way to stand out — not because of its creatures and magic, but because of the characters at its center. When it was announced, ahead of the Netflix series’ return for its fourth season, that former lead Henry Cavill had decided to bow out as the titular Witcher, Geralt of Rivia, the resulting shockwaves could have been enough to kill any remaining momentum the show still possessed.

Yet what The Witcher has already demonstrated, and Season 4 reiterates, is that its story has always been about more than just Geralt. It’s also the story of Cirilla of Cintra (Freya Allan), the wayward princess of a besieged land who finds her destiny linked with Geralt’s through an unlikely series of events, and it’s also the story of Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra), a sorceress who prized power above all else until her paths crossed with the two people she would grow to care about most.

While the series’ new Geralt, Liam Hemsworth, had shoes to fill in picking up the torch from Cavill, it’s a challenge that he successfully meets, his performance evolving into something that feels entirely apropos for the version of the character he’s portraying. This isn’t Cavill’s Geralt, but mostly because that Geralt doesn’t exist anymore — not at this point in his story, when the two women he now considers his family, and would do anything to protect, are facing threats from all sides.

What Is ‘The Witcher’ Season 4 About?

In the aftermath of the rogue mage Vilgefortz’s (Mahesh Jadu) devastating attack on Aretuza, everyone has been left to pick up the pieces in different ways. For Yennefer, it means linking together with the surviving magic-wielders who haven’t joined forces with the enemy, including Triss (Anna Shaffer) and Sabrina (Therica Wilson-Read), as well as becoming unlikely allies with shapeshifting sorceress Philippa Eilhart (Cassie Clare) and elven queen Francesca (Mecia Simson). With the discovery that Vilgefortz and his loyalists have discovered a means of controlling portals, nowhere may be safe for this growing collective of powerful women — but Yennefer’s also willing to lean on old friends, including Geralt’s old mentor Vesemir (Peter Mullan), to provide the muscle she needs for her inevitable rematch with Vilgefortz.

Meanwhile, Ciri has fallen in with a band of notorious thieves who refer to themselves as the Rats, but she’s also doing her damnedest to leave the biggest and most identifying parts of her past behind. After renaming herself as Falka and even giving her long, ashen hair a fresh chop, she realizes that simply tagging along with this new group of outlaws isn’t enough; she needs to officially become one of them. Some of the Rats are understandably wary of this newcomer, but one in particular, Mistle (Christelle Elwin), is willing to show her the ropes, and as the two women grow closer, Ciri becomes more and more willing to indulge a darker side of herself without necessarily considering the potential cost.

As for Geralt, he’s still determinedly making his way to Nilfgaard with others, including Jaskier (Joey Batey) and Milva (Meng’er Zhang), in tow. While he believes he’ll be able to save Ciri from the clutches of the ruthless emperor Emhyr (Bart Edwards), we already know that the Ciri being held in Nilfgaard isn’t actually Ciri. It’s an imposter (Frances Pooley), brainwashed by Vilgefortz into believing herself to be the Lion Cub of Cintra. Both Emhyr and Geralt are none the wiser, but how long will Fake Ciri be able to keep up her facade, and what will Emhyr do once he realizes he’s been betrayed by his supposed ally? Geralt’s journey, however, sees him encountering more parties, both friendly and otherwise, several of whom agree to join him in his travels — including a mysterious barber-surgeon named Regis (Laurence Fishburne), who bides his time before revealing his biggest secret about his true nature.

‘The Witcher’ Season 4 Puts the Spotlight on Yennefer and Ciri’s Stories

While The Witcher has always revolved around an ever-growing cast of characters, especially as more villains enter the fray, Season 4 divides focus across the main trio in a way that emphasizes equal narrative importance. As mentioned before, Hemsworth certainly has the biggest task of all three to shoulder in assuming the role of Geralt from another actor, but the show cleverly weaves him into the story to the point where it feels like he’s been there from the beginning. From that sequence on, it’s easy to follow him on what feels like an homage to the classic fantasy quest, fighting monsters and acquiring new comrades. One episode devoted to the group pausing for a much-needed break around a campfire leads to certain party members recounting a pivotal moment from their pasts, each told in a distinctly different visual style. (There’s significant opportunity for Batey to once again show off his singing chops; even if Jaskier is more of a supporting presence this time around.)

Hemsworth clearly becomes more comfortable in the character as the season progresses; however, it’s also evident that this Geralt has been irreparably changed by his experiences. He’s no longer running from closer ties or shoving down deeper feelings; he’s embracing them and reaching a place of acceptance about fatherhood by extension. Hemsworth is afforded much more runway to explore Geralt’s emotional evolution than previous seasons were able to devote time to. As for his allies, Fishburne infuses Regis with a delightful combination of gravitas and cheekiness; especially as more about his origins is spooled out. Geralt and Regis instantly clock each other’s hidden truths from their very first meeting; however neither is in the habit of spilling anyone’s secrets which leads to mutual respect amid a somewhat wary alliance.

Yennefer could have easily found herself more adrift after Tissaia’s (MyAnna Buring) shocking demise; instead she takes her mentor’s place as a leader rallying her fellow sorceresses to fight for the future of the Continent. Although she and Philippa are somewhat reluctant bedfellows; their pact allows for some terrific repartee between Chalotra and Clare. It’s also great to see Chalotra getting to dive into even more action than she’s been given previously. In addition to one all-too-brief sequence where she and Simson’s Francesca size each other up over swords; there’s an entire episode devoted to the deadliest magic battle since last season’s shocking coup. (On a purely selfish level; any show establishing a coven of sorceresses on a mission to save the world is one I will be absolutely seated for.)

If you thought Ciri’s time in the desert was intense; her Season 4 journey is more so in a slightly different vein. She’s not necessarily being subjected to physical or magical trials; instead these new tests in Rats’ company are all about her morals and what she’s potentially willing to do to survive in this harsh world. The result is a side of Ciri we’ve never seen before; at least not to this extent — Allan knows exactly how to wield sharper edges of a character that have been honed bordering on ruthlessness. That’s not to say Ciri still doesn’t earn her softer moments; her connection with Mistle despite its emotional ups and downs is one of more heartwarming aspects of this new storyline; one can’t help but think that she deserves a bit of happiness in wake of all that she’s already endured.

‘The Witcher’ Sets Up a Devastating Final Season

The biggest villains of The Witcher‘s story still loom heading into its final season with deadliest being bounty hunter and former soldier Leo Bonhart played with unnerving precision by Sharlto Copley. From moment he’s introduced Bonhart proves himself major threat with penchant for hunting down slaying witchers wearing medallions he snatches from their corpses as twisted trophies. Fans books will know exactly what kind menace he poses but for most Season 4 he’s lurking shadow operating at fringes narrative merely waiting for right time strike. Copley is already no stranger playing bad guys but Bonhart is cut above rest — or new level low depending your perspective. He’s unsettling unpredictable making for show’s most despicable villain yet heading into what’s poised be particularly dark final batch episodes.

Despite dismal note that The Witcher Season 4 leaves off on what leads up that fateful sequence anything but. Even though Hemsworth has stepped into role wasn’t originally his he manages make Geralt own over course season’s eight episodes. That said,Season 4 is further proof that The Witcher has increasingly become about more than just one character.

Chalotra’s Yennefer has more than earned spot on list all-time fantasy heroines while Allan has commanding grasp on Ciri ahead what’s about be her character’s most devastating gauntlet yet. All eyes might be on Hemsworth anticipation his debut but everyone should be watching this action-packed fantasy epic far more than just Geralt Rivia now.

The Witcher Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix.