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

While Henry Cavill's portrayal of Geralt of Rivia is iconic, Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt in CD Projekt Red's acclaimed RPGs, remains the definitive White Wolf for many gamers. Now, their Geralts converge: Cockle lends his unmistakable voice to Netflix's animated film, *The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep*.

Interestingly, Cockle wasn't asked to emulate Henry Cavill or Liam Hemsworth's interpretations. This allowed him to reprise his signature gravelly voice, unchanged, a sound familiar to fans for nearly two decades.

Cockle developed that voice in 2005, during the recording of the first *Witcher* game. He recalls the challenge: "The voice was very low in my register, something I had to push towards." Long recording sessions (eight to nine hours daily) initially strained his voice, a struggle that continued into *The Witcher 2*. However, his vocal cords eventually adapted, a process he humorously compares to an athlete's muscle training.

The release of *The Last Wish* in English marked a turning point. Cockle explains, "As soon as it came out, I bought it and tore through it. I understood Geralt better after reading it, things the developers hadn't fully conveyed." This clarified the developers' direction for a more emotionally reserved Geralt, a nuance Cockle better grasped through the books.

Cockle readily embraced Sapkowski's writing, drawing parallels to his childhood love of Tolkien. *Season of Storms* stands out as a favorite, a story he'd relish voicing in future adaptations. He describes it as "horrible and awful, but thrilling," highlighting its graphic fight scenes as perfect for anime or a TV episode.

While *Sirens of the Deep* showcases Cockle's established Geralt, it introduced a unique challenge: speaking Mermaid. He confesses the difficulty of learning and performing in this fictional language, despite phonetic guides.

Cockle's return to video games in *The Witcher 4*, revealed at The Game Awards, promises a smoother experience. With Ciri taking the lead, Geralt's role is a supporting one, requiring less dialogue. While remaining tight-lipped on specifics, Cockle enthusiastically supports the shift to Ciri's perspective, highlighting its potential based on the books.

He considers it a "really good move," emphasizing the exciting possibilities this change offers. To delve deeper into *The Witcher 4*, explore our in-depth interview with the creators. To see more of Doug Cockle, watch *The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep* on Netflix, or connect with him on Instagram, Cameo, and X.

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