How did one of gaming’s iconic voices get – and nearly lose – his big break as Geralt of Rivia in the Witcher series? 

In this episode, hosts Kezia Burrows and Tom Stacey are joined by none other than Doug Cockle. Doug takes us behind the scenes of his journey as the legendary Witcher, shares the inspiration behind Geralt’s voice, and reveals the biggest changes he’s witnessed in the games industry over the past two decades.

We also delve into Doug’s personal experiences at games conventions (alongside a fan tattoo story you won’t forget), his love of Dungeons & Dragons, and how a chance networking event landed him a role as the god Bhaal in Baldur’s Gate 3. Doug reflects on his time teaching acting, the philosophy behind bringing truth to a character, and even lets slip a few lines as Geralt - including a personal message for Tom. Plus, hear about Doug’s latest adventures with the Natural Six D&D livestream and which Witcher sign he’d pick in real life.

You’ll hear:

• How persistence (and not taking rejection personally) kept Doug in the role of Geralt 
• Doug’s humorous pitches for cameos in the Witcher Netflix series and Cyberpunk 2077 
• Doug’s latest project, Natural Six, a DND series featuring fellow games talent Ben Starr, Harry McEntire, Aoife Wilson, Hollie Bennett and Alex Jordan
• Career advice and inspiration for young actors and games professionals. 

“You have to put a little piece of yourself into it because if you don't, how are you going to find the truth of the character?” – Doug Cockle

Whether you’re a Witcher superfan or just fascinated by the craft of voice acting, this episode is packed with insights and candid stories from one of gaming’s most beloved voices. 

🧭 Timestamps:

00:03:26 – Auditioning for Geralt:  ”Make my day”

00:04:20 – Courage pays off: when CD Projekt Red tried to re-cast Geralt! 

0:07:44 – The Witcher 4: what does Doug know?

00:08:13 – Where’s Doug? Cameos that never were #1: Netflix’s The Witcher

00:09:54 – Doug’s first part – and the role of improvisation in acting for games

00:13:30 – Changes in the industry

00:15:19 – Cameos that never were #2: Cyberpunk 2077

00:17:51 – Roach on the roof (again), a glitch in the Matrix?

00:22:32 – Directing stage – an apprenticeship for actors

00:24:25 – Recording branched dialogue, voice for player choice

00:26:14 – Alan Wake 2 – Nightingale goes nude

00:29:34 – Ego in acting – disaster on the set of Marvel’s Captain America

00:33:57 – Acting: integrating yourself to find truth

00:37:35 – Using an actor’s toolbox

00:42:48 – Learning through teaching 

00:45:32 – From a BAFTA Games social to Baldur's Gate 3 (thanks to Neil Newbon!) 

00:50:01 – Natural Six: behind Doug and the gang’s Kickstarter-funded D&D show

👤 Guest Info:

Doug Cockle is known for his voice-over roles in videogames, most notably Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher series. He was nominated for a Game Award for Best Performance and won Golden Joystick Award Best Gaming Performance for his portrayal of Geralt in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.

🌐 Website   📸 Instagram

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• The Witcher (Games)
• Geralt of Rivia 
• The Witcher Books (by Andrzej Sapkowski)
• Polish TV Series – "The Hexer" ("Wiedźmin")
• Clint Eastwood / Dirty Harry
• CD Projekt Red (Game Studio)
• David Hayter (Voice Actor – Metal Gear Solid)
• Kiefer Sutherland (Actor – Metal Gear Solid V)
• Michael Ironside (Voice Actor – Splinter Cell/Sam Fisher)
• Sam Fisher (Character – Splinter Cell)
• Ciri 
• Witcher TV Show (Netflix)
• Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
• Honor Blackman 
• The Glass Menagerie
• Independence War II: Edge of Chaos
• Outsource Media (Game Audio Production)
• Band of Brothers 
• Reign of Fire
• Keanu Reeves
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Roach
• EGX (UK Gaming Event)
• Gwent 
• Alan Wake II
• Nightingale (Alan Wake Wiki)
• Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
• Stanley Tucci 
• Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
• Dungeons & Dragons
• The Hobbit  (book by J.R.R. Tolkien)
• The Lord of the Rings (book by J.R.R. Tolkien)
• Dragonriders of Pern (Book Series by Anne McCaffrey)
• Baldur’s Gate 3 
• Neverwinter Nights (Game Series)
• Neil Newbon 
• Larian Studios
• PitStop Productions
• Natural Six (YouTube)
• Witcher Signs 

💬 Quotes:

"Actors are riddled with doubt and fear and all kinds of things. And, you know, a big part of the job is actually to overcome that."

– Doug Cockle

“He texted me later that day with a picture of his brand new tattoo, and he had Geralt's face and my signature right underneath it. I was like, wow.”

– Doug Cockle

🎧 Check Out More ReadyAimFire Episodes:

• Episode 1: Devora Wilde on Lae’zel & Performance in Baldur’s Gate 3
• Episode 2: Michael Geary on Warhammer, Magic, and Mushroom Warriors
• Episode 3: Damien Goodwin on directing Returnal, Helldivers 2 and more

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