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

Doug Cockle, the iconic voice of Geralt of Rivia in the critically acclaimed Witcher video game series, 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's portrayals, allowing him to maintain the distinctive gravelly voice that fans have cherished for nearly two decades.

Cockle's journey voicing Geralt began in 2005 with The Witcher 1. He recalls the initial challenge of maintaining the low register required for the character, often spending eight to nine hours daily recording, leading to significant vocal strain. However, his vocal cords eventually adapted, a process he humorously compares to an athlete's muscle training. The release of Andrzej Sapkowski's books in English during the recording of The Witcher 2 provided additional insight into Geralt's character, deepening his performance.

Cockle's appreciation for Sapkowski's writing, particularly Season of Storms, is evident. He considers it a thrilling, albeit dark, story ripe for adaptation. He particularly enjoys the lighter moments in Sirens of the Deep, highlighting a humorous exchange between Geralt and Jaskier as an example of the character's less serious side.

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Sirens of the Deep presented a unique challenge: speaking Mermaid. Cockle found this surprisingly difficult, despite receiving phonetic spellings.

Looking ahead, Cockle will return to the world of video games in The Witcher 4, where Geralt will have a supporting role, with Ciri taking center stage. He expresses excitement about this shift in perspective, believing it to be a compelling narrative choice. For more on Doug Cockle, check out The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix, and follow him on Instagram, Cameo, and X.