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 portrayal, allowing him to maintain the familiar gravelly tone honed over nearly two decades.
His journey began in 2005 with The Witcher 1, where finding the right voice proved challenging. Initially, his Geralt's voice was much lower than his natural register, requiring significant effort and leading to considerable vocal strain during eight-to-nine-hour recording sessions. This strenuous process, however, strengthened his vocal chords, much like an athlete training their muscles.
The release of Andrzej Sapkowski's books in English during the recording of The Witcher 2 significantly impacted his performance. Initially relying on CD Projekt Red's guidance, reading Sapkowski's work provided crucial insights into Geralt's character, clarifying the developers' request for a more emotionally restrained portrayal. Cockle particularly enjoyed Season of Storms, expressing a desire to voice Geralt in an adaptation of that novel.
Sirens of the Deep, based on "A Little Sacrifice," offers a darker take on The Little Mermaid. While the film features intense action and political intrigue, Cockle appreciates the lighter moments, such as a humorous exchange between Geralt and Jaskier, showcasing Geralt's less-serious side. He relishes the opportunity to explore the multifaceted nature of Geralt, appreciating both his serious and humorous aspects.
A unique challenge arose in Sirens of the Deep: speaking Mermaid. Cockle found this surprisingly difficult despite receiving phonetic spellings, highlighting the unexpected hurdles even experienced voice actors can face.
Cockle's return to the video game world in The Witcher 4, where Ciri takes the protagonist role, is highly anticipated. He expresses excitement about this shift in perspective, believing it's a compelling narrative choice, particularly given events in the books. He encourages viewers to watch The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep on Netflix and follow him on social media.
