Netflix's 'The Witcher' Finds Its Geralt in Doug Cockle

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 crafted nearly two decades ago.

Cockle recalls the vocal challenges of recording the first Witcher game in 2005, spending long hours each day pushing his vocal range. This strenuous process, akin to an athlete training, eventually strengthened his vocal chords, preparing him for future projects. The release of Andrzej Sapkowski's books in English during The Witcher 2's production significantly impacted his understanding of Geralt's character, adding depth to his performance. He particularly enjoyed Season of Storms, expressing his desire to voice Geralt in an adaptation of that story.

Cockle appreciates both the serious and lighter aspects of Geralt's personality, highlighting a humorous campfire scene with Jaskier in Sirens of the Deep as a prime example. This animated film, based on "A Little Sacrifice," offers a dark twist on "The Little Mermaid," with Geralt entangled in a conflict between kingdoms. The project presented a unique challenge: speaking Mermaid, a fictional language Cockle found surprisingly difficult to master.

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Cockle's return to Geralt in The Witcher 4, where Ciri takes the lead, is anticipated. He believes shifting the narrative focus to Ciri is a clever move, aligning with events in the books. Fans can catch Cockle in The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix and connect with him on Instagram, Cameo, and X.