Doug Cockle: From Video Game to Netflix's New Geralt

While Henry Cavill may be the most recognizable face to have portrayed Geralt of Rivia, within the gaming community, Doug Cockle's voice is synonymous with the character. Known for his role in CD Projekt Red's critically acclaimed RPG series, Cockle is widely regarded as the definitive Geralt. Now, the worlds of gaming and live-action have collided as Cockle lends his iconic voice to the animated film, *The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep*, on Netflix.

In this new project, Cockle does not mimic the Geralt of Cavill or his successor, Liam Hemsworth, who will take over the role in the upcoming season of the live-action series. Instead, he brings the same depth and gravelly tone that fans have cherished for nearly two decades. This consistency allows fans to reconnect with the Geralt they've known and loved from the games.

Cockle crafted this distinctive voice back in 2005 while recording for the first Witcher game. "The most challenging aspect of recording for Witcher 1 was developing the voice," he recalls. "Initially, Geralt's voice was very deep, and I had to push my vocal range to achieve it." During those early sessions, Cockle spent long hours recording, which took a toll on his throat. "I was going back to my hotel feeling like my throat was shredded," he says. This struggle persisted into *The Witcher 2*, but over time, his vocal cords adapted, much like an athlete conditioning their muscles.

The English translation of *The Last Wish* became available while Cockle was working on *The Witcher 2*, and it significantly influenced his understanding of Geralt. "Before that, the developers at CD Projekt Red were my primary source of information about Geralt," he explains. "Once *The Last Wish* was out, I bought it and devoured it. It helped me grasp aspects of Geralt that I hadn't understood before." The developers emphasized Geralt's emotional restraint, which Cockle initially found challenging but came to understand better after reading the books. He praises Andrzej Sapkowski's writing, drawing parallels to Tolkien's *The Lord of the Rings*, and expresses a particular fondness for *Season of Storms*, hoping to voice Geralt in a potential adaptation of this story.

In *The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep*, based on the short story "A Little Sacrifice" from *Sword of Destiny*, Cockle's Geralt navigates a conflict between two kingdoms, sparked by a romance between a mermaid and a human prince. While the film offers intense action and political drama, Cockle appreciates its lighter moments, such as a humorous exchange around a campfire with Jaskier. These scenes highlight Geralt's often overlooked softer side, which Cockle values as an actor.

"I enjoy exploring all facets of a character's personality," Cockle says. "Geralt's seriousness is compelling, but I also cherish those moments when he tries to lighten the mood, even if his attempts at humor often fall flat."

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

7 Images

Despite the familiarity of voicing Geralt, *Sirens of the Deep* presented Cockle with a unique challenge: speaking a fictional language used by mermaids. "It was difficult," he admits. "I had phonetic spellings to practice, but performing it was harder than expected."

Cockle is set to return to the video game realm with *The Witcher 4*, where Geralt will play a supporting role to Ciri, the protagonist. Revealed at The Game Awards last year, this shift in focus excites Cockle. "Switching to Ciri's perspective is a smart move," he says. "It aligns with intriguing developments in the books and promises fresh storytelling. I'm eager to see what CD Projekt Red does with it."

For more insights into *The Witcher 4*, check out our exclusive interview with its creators. And don't miss out on seeing more of Doug Cockle in *The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep* on Netflix, or follow him on Instagram, Cameo, and X.