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 signature gravelly voice he perfected 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 humorously compares to an athlete building muscle. The release of the English translations of Sapkowski's books during The Witcher 2's production significantly impacted his performance. Understanding the nuances of Geralt's character from the source material allowed him to refine his portrayal, moving beyond the initially requested "emotionless" delivery.

Cockle, a fan of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, embraced Sapkowski's world, particularly Season of Storms, which he hopes to voice in a future adaptation. Sirens of the Deep, based on "A Little Sacrifice," showcases both Geralt's serious side and his rare attempts at humor, a facet Cockle enjoys portraying.

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A unique challenge arose in Sirens of the Deep: speaking Mermaid. Cockle found this surprisingly difficult despite phonetic preparation. His return to Geralt in The Witcher 4, where Ciri takes the lead, is eagerly anticipated. He believes the shift in perspective is a smart move, aligning with the books' narrative. To learn more, check out interviews with The Witcher 4 creators and find Cockle on social media.