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's cultivated over nearly two decades.

Recalling the challenges of voicing Geralt in the first Witcher game (2005), Cockle describes the initial struggle to maintain the low register for extended recording sessions (8-9 hours daily!). This rigorous process, akin to an athlete training their muscles, eventually strengthened his vocal cords. The arrival of the English translations of Andrzej Sapkowski's books further enriched his understanding of Geralt's character, moving beyond the developers' initial description of him as "emotionless." Cockle's appreciation for Sapkowski's writing, particularly Season of Storms, is evident, expressing a desire to voice Geralt in an adaptation of that novel.

Sirens of the Deep, a dark reimagining of The Little Mermaid, offers Cockle a unique challenge: speaking Mermaid. This proved unexpectedly difficult, despite phonetic preparation. His return to the video game world in The Witcher 4, however, promises a smoother experience. With Geralt taking a supporting role to Ciri, the recording demands are less intense.

Cockle expresses enthusiasm for the shift in narrative focus to Ciri, highlighting the intriguing possibilities stemming from the books. He remains tight-lipped about specifics regarding The Witcher 4, but anticipates the game's success. To learn more about The Witcher 4, readers are directed to an interview with its creators. Meanwhile, Cockle invites fans to enjoy The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix and connect with him on social media.

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