Doug Cockle, the distinctive voice behind Geralt of Rivia in CD Projekt Red's acclaimed Witcher series, has reflected on his two-decade-long tenure with the character. Initially trained for theater, Cockle found his career unexpectedly pivoting towards video game voice acting, a path he never anticipated. His first foray into the medium was in 2001, but it was his role as Geralt, beginning with 2007's The Witcher, that would define a significant portion of his professional life.
Cockle's journey with Geralt almost ended before it truly began. Between the first and second games, he believed his performance might not have met CD Projekt Red's expectations. He recounted receiving a message from a friend who had auditioned for Geralt in The Witcher 2, leading Cockle to assume he was being replaced. "I thought they hated my performance," he stated. After overcoming his initial disappointment, Cockle reached out to CD Projekt Red, expressing his interest in reprising the role, and was warmly welcomed back.
The early days of recording The Witcher presented unique challenges. Cockle described the recording process as the "wild west," with long, unguided sessions that often left his voice strained. Unlike modern standards that limit voice actor sessions to protect vocal health, Cockle's days could stretch to eight or even ten hours. "Felt like 18 hours," he joked, recalling sipping peppermint tea and remaining silent after each day's work to recover his voice. The game was based on a book series not yet translated into English, meaning his performance was heavily informed by concept art and the descriptions provided by developers during his recording sessions.
Evolution Across The Witcher Series
With the development of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, CD Projekt Red aimed to innovate, even creating their proprietary REDengine. This shift meant a "clean slate" for character development and storytelling. Cockle noted that few voice actors from the first game returned for the sequel, making his reappearance a testament to his established performance. He was simultaneously teaching acting at a university in England during this period, balancing a demanding academic career with his work as Geralt.
The release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt marked a significant maturation for both the game and its development team. Cockle observed a profound growth in the team's understanding of the world and its characters. "I experienced a maturation in the team across the board, actors included and directors, in the telling of the stories. And that's a great thing to be a part of. That's magical," he said. The game's immense success, selling millions of copies and garnering numerous awards, surprised even Cockle, who was still managing a full-time academic position at the time. It took months and encouragement from his students for him to fully grasp the scale of The Witcher 3's popularity.
The Future of Geralt and Beyond
Cockle's connection to Geralt continues. He lent his voice to the character in Netflix's animated film The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep and is set to return for The Witcher 3 expansion, "Songs of the Past," though he remains tight-lipped about specifics. He will also reprise his role in the upcoming The Witcher 4, which will feature Ciri as the primary protagonist. Cockle expressed his enduring affection for the character, hoping to voice Geralt for as long as he is able, even envisioning a future where an elderly Geralt might train new Witchers.
"Any opportunity to step back into those lovely boots is a welcome opportunity," Cockle stated, reflecting his deep appreciation for the journey he's had as Geralt and the ongoing support from the Witcher community.