Netflix's New Geralt: Doug Cockle of 'The Witcher'

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 portrayals, allowing him to maintain the signature gravelly voice he's cultivated over nearly two decades.

His journey began in 2005 with The Witcher 1, where finding the right vocal register proved challenging. Long recording sessions (eight to nine hours daily) initially strained his voice, a process he humorously compares to an athlete building muscle. The arrival of the English translations of Sapkowski's books during The Witcher 2's production significantly deepened his understanding of Geralt's character, adding nuance to his performance.

Cockle, a fan of Sapkowski's writing since discovering The Last Wish, particularly enjoys Season of Storms, expressing a desire to voice Geralt in an adaptation of that story. He appreciates the multifaceted nature of Geralt, highlighting both his serious demeanor and his attempts at humor in Sirens of the Deep, a dark reimagining of The Little Mermaid. The film presented a unique challenge: speaking Mermaid, a fictional language Cockle found surprisingly difficult to master.

Cockle's return to the video game world in The Witcher 4, where Ciri takes center stage, is highly anticipated. He expresses excitement about the shift in perspective and believes it's a compelling narrative choice, hinting at the books' influence without revealing spoilers. He remains tight-lipped about specifics, acknowledging his limited knowledge of the game's plot.

To learn more about The Witcher 4, check out our in-depth interview with its creators. Enjoy Doug Cockle's performance in The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix, and connect with him on Instagram, Cameo, and X.