Henry Cavill‘s portrayal of Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher was an immaculate fusion of aesthetic mastery and profound acting finesse. His chiseled appearance brought the iconic character to life with unparalleled authenticity. It has since then been revealed the great lengths that Henry Cavill went to in terms of physical training for the character to be the embodiment of Andrzej Sapkowski’s imagination. But it would not have been possible for the actor to look like a spitting image of the White Wolf without his stylist.

Since the news of Cavill’s departure had made it to the fandom, the audiences have been brutal with their feedback. However, one aspect of The Witcher series that viewers cannot fault is the styling. Especially that of Geralt. And there is actually a very surprising reason behind it.

How did Henry Cavill perfect his Geralt look?

Henry Cavill’s performance has become beloved due to the actor’s unwavering dedication to the source material. Given that the series is based on the already best-selling book series of Andrzej Sapkowski, the key lies in ensuring a connection with the source. And while Cavill did his part by adapting hardcore sword training and altering his voice, The Witcher stylist, Jacqueline Rathore, went the extra length to make sure Geralt’s hair was perfect by taking the wig home every day.

The Man of Steel actor was not happy with an all-white wig, as Geralt’s hair was not exactly plain white and he did not hold back in his criticism. Fortunately, Jackqueline Rathore also felt the same and took it upon herself to make it look realistic. Cavill said “She was taking it home every evening, every evening taking it home,” about Rathore at Netflix’s WitcherCon in 2021.

He joked that the stylist was even “dreaming” about the wig in her pursuit to get it right. And she ultimately got it right. While the anecdote may have new fans of the series scratching their heads, those who have read Andrzej Sapkowski’s books know just what Cavill and his stylist were trying to achieve.

How does Sapkowski describe Geralt’s hair in The Witcher?

In Andrzej Sapkowski’s literary masterpiece, Geralt of Rivia’s hair is depicted as an arresting mane of striking white, a unique attribute of Witchers due to their mutations. Sapkowski’s vivid descriptions make it clear that Geralt’s hair is not just a physical feature but a symbolic representation of his otherness and the trials he has endured. And as Henry Cavill said in his Vanity Fair interview, going for a plain white wig would definitely have been “ridiculous.”

The wig, along with a long list of other things that The Witcher got right, is a curtsy of Cavill’s vast knowledge of Andrzej Sapkowski’s work. Therefore, as he leaves the show, he is not just leaving shoes two sizes too big for Liam Hemsworth to fill but also a wig that may as well be a crown. And while wig snatching has become a common terminology on the Internet, it may just translate into a live event if things are done right in The Witcher Season 4.

What do you think about Geralt’s wig? Let us know in the comments below.