Netflix's Witcher Finds Voice in Doug Cockle

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 distinctive gravelly voice he honed over nearly two decades.

His journey began in 2005 with the first Witcher game. Initially, finding the right vocal register proved challenging, requiring him to push his voice lower than his natural range. Long recording sessions (eight to nine hours daily) strained his vocal cords, a process he compares to an athlete building muscle. The experience improved his vocal control, preparing him for future projects.

The release of Andrzej Sapkowski's books in English significantly impacted his performance in The Witcher 2. Reading The Last Wish provided crucial insight into Geralt's character, clarifying the developers' direction for a more emotionally restrained portrayal. Cockle, however, found a balance, injecting subtle emotion into his performance while respecting the source material. He particularly enjoyed Season of Storms, expressing a desire to voice Geralt in an adaptation of that novel.

Sirens of the Deep, based on Sapkowski's short story, presents a darker take on The Little Mermaid. While Cockle relishes the action-packed scenes, he appreciates the lighter moments, particularly a humorous exchange between Geralt and Jaskier, showcasing Geralt's less serious side. He emphasizes the importance of exploring a character's multifaceted personality.

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

His return to the video game world in The Witcher 4, where Ciri takes center stage, is highly anticipated. While remaining tight-lipped about specifics, Cockle welcomes the shift in perspective, believing it's a strong narrative choice, particularly given events in the books.

To learn more about The Witcher 4, watch The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix, and follow Doug Cockle on Instagram, Cameo, and X.