Witcher Star Doug Cockle Embodies Netflix's Geralt

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 signature gravelly voice honed over nearly two decades.

His journey began in 2005, voicing Geralt for the first Witcher game. Initially, finding the right vocal tone proved challenging, requiring him to push his register lower. Extensive recording sessions (eight to nine hours daily) initially strained his voice, but his vocal chords eventually adapted, a process he humorously compares to an athlete's training.

The release of Andrzej Sapkowski's books in English significantly impacted Cockle's performance for The Witcher 2. Reading The Last Wish provided crucial insight into Geralt's character, clarifying the developers' direction towards a more emotionally restrained portrayal. Cockle, however, embraced the opportunity to explore Geralt's emotional range within those constraints. He particularly enjoyed Season of Storms, expressing a desire to voice Geralt in an adaptation of that story.

Sirens of the Deep, based on Sapkowski's short story, presents a darker take on The Little Mermaid. While the film features intense action and political intrigue, Cockle appreciates the lighter moments, particularly a humorous exchange between Geralt and Jaskier, highlighting Geralt's less-serious side. He relishes the multifaceted nature of Geralt's personality, embracing both his stoic and lighter moments.

The anime presented a unique challenge: speaking Mermaid. Cockle found this surprisingly difficult, despite phonetic preparation.

Looking ahead, Cockle will return to the video game world in The Witcher 4, where Geralt will have a supporting role, with Ciri taking center stage. He's enthusiastic about this shift in perspective, believing it's a compelling narrative choice, particularly given events in the books.

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To experience Cockle's performance, watch The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix. Follow him on Instagram, Cameo, and X for more updates.