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 mimic Henry Cavill or Liam Hemsworth. He maintained his signature gravelly voice, honed over nearly two decades.
Initially, crafting Geralt's voice for the first Witcher game in 2005 proved challenging. Cockle pushed his vocal range, spending extensive hours recording, leading to significant vocal strain. However, his vocal cords eventually adapted, a process he compares to an athlete's training. The release of Andrzej Sapkowski's books in English further enriched his understanding of the character, adding depth to his portrayal.
Cockle, a fan of Sapkowski's writing and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, particularly enjoyed Season of Storms, expressing a desire to voice Geralt in an adaptation of that story. In Sirens of the Deep, based on the short story "A Little Sacrifice," Cockle relishes Geralt's lighter moments, showcasing the character's softer side beyond his usual stoicism. He highlights a humorous exchange with Jaskier as a prime example.
The anime presented a unique hurdle: speaking Mermaid. Cockle found this challenging despite phonetic guidance. His return to the video game world in The Witcher 4, where Ciri takes center stage, promises a less demanding role, though details remain scarce. He enthusiastically supports the shift in narrative focus to Ciri, believing it to be a compelling direction.
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To learn more about The Witcher 4, check out our interview with the developers. To see Doug Cockle's work, watch The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix, or find him on Instagram, Cameo, and X.
