Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt in the acclaimed Witcher video 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 tone proved challenging. Initially, his voice was too low, requiring significant effort and leading to considerable vocal strain during eight to nine-hour recording sessions. This experience, however, strengthened his vocal cords, a process he humorously compares to an athlete's training.
The release of the English translations of Sapkowski's books during the recording of The Witcher 2 significantly impacted his performance. Initially relying on the developers' descriptions of Geralt as "emotionless," Cockle gained a deeper understanding of the character's emotional landscape after reading The Last Wish, allowing for a more nuanced portrayal. He particularly enjoyed Season of Storms, expressing a desire to voice Geralt in an adaptation of that story.
In Sirens of the Deep, Cockle relishes the lighter moments, highlighting a humorous exchange between Geralt and Jaskier as a showcase of the character's less serious side. He appreciates the multifaceted nature of Geralt, embracing both the serious and the comedic aspects of his personality.
The anime presented a unique challenge: speaking Mermaid. Cockle found this surprisingly difficult, despite receiving phonetic spellings.
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 expresses enthusiasm for the shift in perspective and believes it's a compelling direction for the franchise. He suggests the change is particularly fitting given events in the books.
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To learn more about The Witcher 4, check out our interview with the creators. To experience Cockle's performance, watch The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix, or connect with him on Instagram, Cameo, and X.
