Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for Part 1 of The Witcher season 3.
In The Witcher season 3, Rience underwent a recast, prompting many to question the reason behind replacing the actor from season 2. Rience was first introduced in season 2 of Netflix's The Witcher while serving his sentence in a Cintran prison. During this time, Lydia van Bredevoort approached him with an offer to locate and capture Ciri. Rience accepted the task, and thus his entire storyline in The Witcher season 2 revolved around his relentless pursuit of the princess.
During his journey in The Witcher season 2,
The Witcher Likely Recast Rience Due To Scheduling Conflicts
is abducted and subjected to torture in order to force him to reveal the whereabouts of Geralt and Ciri. Fortunately, Yennefer steps in to save him in The Witcher season 2, countering Rience's fire attack by dousing him with alcohol. Angered by Yennefer's intervention, Rience becomes even more determined to locate Ciri in The Witcher season 3. However, this time, he appears different not only in terms of his increased strength but also due to a changed face, as the actor who portrayed him in season 2 has been replaced in season 3.Chris Fulton, who portrayed Rience in Season 2 of The Witcher, is recognized for his roles as Sir Philip Crane in Bridgerton and Karl in The Lazarus Project. Although Fulton has not disclosed the reasons for his departure from The Witcher, it is possible that conflicting schedules with his other television commitments played a role. Recently, he was cast as Rob Cameron in Season 7 of Outlander, which may have overlapped with the filming of The Witcher Season 3. Other factors that could have contributed to his unexpected replacement in the show include artistic differences, contractual disputes, or personal/professional obligations.
Rience's New Actor In The Witcher Season 3: Who Is Sam Woolf?
Sam Woolf has been cast as the replacement for Chris Fulton in season 3 of The Witcher, taking on the role of Rience. Given the careful consideration by The Witcher's creators, it is likely that Woolf will continue to portray the character in future seasons. This decision seems to be well-received, as Rience experiences a significant facial injury in season 2, making him almost unrecognizable in season 3.
Furthermore, Sam Woolf's previous acting credits, similar to Chris Fulton, illustrate his ability to convincingly portray a villain in The Witcher. He has appeared in five episodes of The Crown as Prince Edwards and had a brief role in The Power. Prior to joining the cast of The Witcher season 3, Woolf has also been involved in other television shows such as C.B. Strike and Humans, as well as playing Thidias in National Theatre Live: Antony & Cleopatra.