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

Doug Cockle, the iconic voice of Geralt of Rivia in CD Projekt Red's Witcher games, reprises his 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, allowing him to maintain the distinctive gravelly voice he honed over nearly two decades.

His journey began in 2005 with The Witcher 1, where finding the right vocal register proved challenging. Long recording sessions (eight to nine hours daily) initially strained his voice, a process he compares to an athlete building muscle endurance. The arrival of the English translations of Sapkowski's books during The Witcher 2's production significantly deepened his understanding of Geralt's character, influencing his performance.

Cockle, a fan of Sapkowski's writing since discovering The Last Wish, particularly enjoys Season of Storms, expressing interest in voicing Geralt in a future adaptation of that novel. In Sirens of the Deep, based on "A Little Sacrifice," he appreciates the lighter moments, highlighting a humorous exchange between Geralt and Jaskier as a showcase of the witcher's often-overlooked softer side. He relishes the varied aspects of Geralt's personality, from his serious demeanor to his clumsy attempts at humor.

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep Geeked Week 2024 Teaser Stills

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Sirens of the Deep presented a unique challenge: speaking Mermaid. Cockle found this surprisingly difficult despite preparation, highlighting the unexpected hurdles even seasoned voice actors can face.

His return to the video game world in The Witcher 4, where Ciri takes center stage, is highly anticipated. While remaining tight-lipped about specifics, Cockle enthusiastically supports the shift in narrative focus, believing it to be a compelling direction for the franchise, largely due to events in the books. He encourages fans to read Sapkowski's works to fully appreciate the narrative shift. To learn more about The Witcher 4, check out our in-depth interview with its creators. You can find Doug Cockle on Instagram, Cameo, and X.