The Witcher’s Doug Cockle on Becoming Netflix’s Latest Geralt

Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt in CD Projekt Red's acclaimed Witcher games, reprises his iconic role in Netflix's animated film, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep. Unlike the live-action series, Cockle's performance wasn't adjusted to match Henry Cavill or Liam Hemsworth's portrayals, preserving the familiar gravelly tones he's cultivated over nearly two decades.

His journey began in 2005, voicing Geralt for the first Witcher game. The deep register initially proved challenging, requiring extensive recording sessions (eight to nine hours daily) that strained his vocal cords. This rigorous process, however, strengthened his voice, much like an athlete training their muscles.

The release of Andrzej Sapkowski's books in English significantly impacted Cockle's portrayal. Reading The Last Wish provided crucial insight into Geralt's character, clarifying the developers' direction towards a more emotionally restrained performance. Cockle, however, embraced the nuances of Geralt's personality, appreciating both his serious demeanor and rare attempts at humor.

Cockle's fondness for Sapkowski's work, particularly Season of Storms, is evident. He expresses a desire to voice Geralt in an adaptation of this novel, highlighting its thrilling and graphic elements. Sirens of the Deep, based on "A Little Sacrifice," offers a darker take on The Little Mermaid, showcasing Geralt's softer side through interactions with Jaskier.

A unique challenge arose in Sirens of the Deep: Cockle had to learn a fictional mermaid language, finding the process significantly more difficult than anticipated.

His return to the video game world in The Witcher 4, where Ciri takes center stage, is eagerly awaited. While details are scarce, Cockle believes the shift in perspective is a compelling narrative choice, aligning with events in the books. He encourages fans to read Sapkowski's works for further insight. To learn more about The Witcher 4, check out interviews with its creators. You can also find Doug Cockle on Instagram, Cameo, and X.