Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt in the critically 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 retain the distinctive gravelly voice he honed over nearly two decades.

His journey began in 2005 with the first Witcher game. Cockle recalls the initial challenge of maintaining Geralt's low vocal register during extensive eight-to-nine-hour recording sessions. This rigorous process, akin to an athlete training their muscles, ultimately strengthened his vocal chords.

The release of Andrzej Sapkowski's books in English significantly impacted his performance in The Witcher 2. Previously relying on developer input, Cockle's understanding of Geralt deepened after reading The Last Wish, clarifying the character's often-misinterpreted emotional restraint. He embraced the challenge, balancing Geralt's stoicism with subtle emotional nuances.

Cockle's fondness for Sapkowski's work, particularly Season of Storms, is evident. He expresses a desire to voice Geralt in an adaptation of this novel, highlighting its thrilling, graphic action sequences.

Sirens of the Deep, based on the short story "A Little Sacrifice," showcases a different side of Geralt. While the film features intense action and political intrigue, Cockle particularly enjoys the lighter moments, such as a humorous exchange with Jaskier, revealing a softer side to the usually serious monster hunter. He appreciates the multifaceted nature of Geralt's personality and the diverse performance choices it allows.

A unique challenge arose in Sirens of the Deep: 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 take a supporting role, allowing Ciri to take center stage. He expresses enthusiasm for this narrative shift, highlighting its potential based on the books' events. He encourages fans to read the books to fully appreciate the change. To learn more about The Witcher 4, he suggests checking out interviews with the creators. Fans can find Cockle on Instagram, Cameo, and X.