Doug Cockle Discusses Voicing Geralt in Netflix's Witcher

While Henry Cavill may be the most recognizable face associated with Geralt of Rivia, within the gaming community, Doug Cockle, the voice behind Geralt in CD Projekt Red's critically acclaimed RPG series, is hailed as the definitive White Wolf. Recently, the paths of Cavill's and Cockle's portrayals of Geralt have intersected, with Cockle lending his iconic voice to Netflix's new animated movie, "The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep."

In this new venture, Cockle does not reprise his role as the Geralt from the games but rather brings his unique vocal style to a fresh interpretation of the character. Importantly, he was not directed to mimic Henry Cavill or Liam Hemsworth, who will succeed Cavill in the live-action series. This allowed Cockle to maintain the distinctive, gravelly tones that fans have adored for nearly two decades.

Cockle developed Geralt's voice during the recording sessions for the first Witcher game in 2005. He found the process challenging, initially pushing his voice to its lower registers, which took a toll on his throat. Over time, especially during the recording of "The Witcher 2," his vocal cords adapted, much like an athlete's muscles conditioning to a new sport.

The release of the English version of "The Last Wish" during the development of "The Witcher 2" significantly influenced Cockle's understanding of Geralt. Initially guided by CD Projekt Red's developers, reading Sapkowski's work gave him deeper insights into the character's emotional landscape. Despite being directed to portray Geralt as emotionless, Cockle's appreciation of the books helped him better understand this aspect of the character.

Cockle's admiration for Andrzej Sapkowski's writing grew as he delved into the Witcher novels, particularly resonating with "Season of Storms." He expressed interest in voicing Geralt for a potential adaptation of this story, citing its thrilling yet graphic nature as ideal for an anime or TV episode.

In "The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep," based on the "A Little Sacrifice" short story from "Sword of Destiny," Cockle's Geralt navigates a dark, twisted narrative inspired by "The Little Mermaid." Amidst the film's intense action and political intrigue, Cockle highlights the lighter moments, such as a humorous exchange between Geralt and Jaskier around a campfire, which showcases Geralt's often overlooked softer side.

Cockle enjoys exploring the multifaceted nature of Geralt's character, appreciating both his serious demeanor and lighter, albeit less successful, attempts at humor. This adds depth to the portrayal of the monster hunter.

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep Geeked Week 2024 Teaser Stills

7 Images

While recording for "Sirens of the Deep" was mostly familiar territory for Cockle, he faced a unique challenge: speaking in a fictional mermaid language. This proved more difficult than anticipated, despite having phonetic guides to help him prepare.

Looking ahead, Cockle is set to return to the world of video games with "The Witcher 4," where Geralt will take on a supporting role, allowing Ciri to step into the protagonist spotlight. Although he claims to know as much about the game as the public does, Cockle is enthusiastic about this new direction and believes it aligns well with the narrative developments in the books.

To delve deeper into what CD Projekt Red has planned, check out our comprehensive interview with the creators of "The Witcher 4." And for more of Doug Cockle's work, don't miss "The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep" on Netflix, or follow him on Instagram, Cameo, and X.