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

Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt in CD Projekt Red's 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 portrayal, allowing him to maintain the familiar gravelly tones honed over nearly two decades.

His journey began in 2005 with The Witcher 1, where establishing Geralt's voice proved challenging. Initially, the voice was very low in his register, requiring significant effort and leading to considerable throat strain during eight to nine-hour recording sessions. This vocal challenge continued into The Witcher 2, but Cockle's vocal chords eventually adapted, a process he compares to an athlete's training.

The release of the English translation of The Last Wish significantly impacted his performance. Prior to this, he relied on CD Projekt Red's guidance. Reading Sapkowski's work provided crucial insights into Geralt's character, clarifying the developers' request for a more emotionally restrained portrayal. Cockle, a fan of Tolkien, immediately connected with Sapkowski's writing, particularly enjoying Season of Storms, a story he'd relish voicing in future adaptations.

Sirens of the Deep, based on "A Little Sacrifice," presents a darker take on The Little Mermaid. While the film features intense action and political intrigue, Cockle appreciates the lighter moments, particularly a campfire conversation between Geralt and Jaskier, showcasing Geralt's often-overlooked softer side. He relishes the diverse aspects of Geralt's personality, from his serious demeanor to his infrequent attempts at humor.

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The animation presented a unique challenge: speaking Mermaid. Despite phonetic guides, Cockle found this surprisingly difficult. However, his return to the video game world in The Witcher 4, where Ciri takes center stage, promises a smoother experience. While details are scarce, Cockle expresses enthusiasm for the shift in perspective, believing it's a compelling narrative choice aligning with the books' events. He encourages fans to read Sapkowski's works for further insight. To learn more, check out our interview with The Witcher 4 creators and find Doug Cockle on Instagram, Cameo, and X.