The animated movie The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep follows Geralt of Rivia on a unique adventure both on land and underwater. This film, being part of the overall continuity of the main show, highlights differences in their Geralt portrayals. As The Witcher gears up for its fourth season, its universe expands with this animated offering, which comes after the prequel Nightmare of the Wolf, released in 2021. Directed by Kang Hei Chul, Sirens of the Deep is set between episodes 5 and 6 of the first season, meaning it features the same Geralt as in the live-action series.
The narrative centers around Geralt, Jaskier (voiced by Joey Batey), and Essi (Christina Wren), who are sent by Prince Agloval to hunt down a sea monster that attacked a pearl-diving boat, resulting in the death of its entire crew. However, the quest exacerbates tensions between Agloval’s kingdom and the merpeople, placing Geralt in a position where he must resolve the mystery of the sunken boat while also preventing a potential war.
Notably, Geralt in Sirens of the Deep isn’t voiced by Henry Cavill. While he embodies the same character, there are a few differences between both portrayals. Even though Sirens of the Deep was announced before Cavill’s departure from The Witcher in 2022, he did not lend his voice to the film. The reasons for this are unclear, but it’s possible that Netflix was aware of Cavill’s exit as Sirens of the Deep entered development. Nonetheless, Netflix ensured that they had a fantastic actor to voice Geralt, turning to Doug Cockle, who fans of The Witcher video games will recognize well.
Doug Cockle has voiced Geralt since 2007, notably in every English rendition of The Witcher video games, including the critically acclaimed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Hearts of Stone. Additionally, he is slated to return for the highly anticipated The Witcher IV. Outside of gaming, Cockle has had minor roles in various films like The Tailor of Panama and Captain America: The First Avenger, along with appearances in TV shows like Band of Brothers and The Second Coming. Because of his profound understanding of the character, Cockle’s portrayal maintains a strong similarity to Cavill’s version.
The world of The Witcher has seen a diversity of actors depict Geralt across various adaptations, each bringing their unique interpretation to the table. Henry Cavill has been vocal about being a massive fan of The Witcher, particularly the video games, so it’s not surprising that he and Cockle sync well in their portrayals for Netflix. One of the key aspects of Geralt, beyond his physical appearance, is his voice. Geralt speaks in a low tone, chooses his words carefully, and his signature grunts and “mmm” have become trademarks. These elements are prevalent in both Cavill’s performance and Cockle’s in Sirens of the Deep.
Geralt in Sirens of the Deep retains the character’s discretion and a tendency to remain neutral. Throughout the first season of The Witcher, Geralt often finds himself embroiled in conflicts yet aims to focus on his duties without taking sides. However, confronting injustice still prompts him to speak out, a trait mirrored in Sirens of the Deep’s representation, where such actions earn him adversaries but also bolster his reputation as the premier witcher.
Although there are similarities between Cavill’s Geralt and Cockle’s version in Sirens of the Deep, some key differences are notable. One of the most prominent distinctions is in their combat styles; Sirens of the Deep presents a Geralt who exhibits more acrobatic and theatrical flair in his battles against both monsters and human foes. This variation is likely a result of the animated format, which allows for exciting depictions of fights and environments that might be challenging to realize in live-action.
Cavill’s rendition of Geralt has become more expressive over the course of seasons 2 and 3 of The Witcher, a trend that does not apply in Sirens of the Deep. Additionally, the animated Geralt exhibits a slightly broader range of emotions, both through facial expressions and vocal tone. It’s essential to recognize that Sirens of the Deep’s Geralt reflects the persona Cavill portrayed in season 1, before he met Ciri and evolved into a more emotionally open character.
Despite these distinctions, Doug Cockle’s Geralt fits seamlessly into the world of Netflix’s The Witcher, and his portrayal arrives at an ideal moment. In October 2022, Henry Cavill announced his exit from The Witcher following season 3, along with news of his recasting. Liam Hemsworth is set to step into the role of Geralt in the fourth season and is anticipated to carry the character through the show’s fifth and final installment. As of now, Netflix has only shared a brief look at Hemsworth in full Geralt costume but has not revealed his voice.
The initial reveal of Hemsworth as Geralt garnered mixed reactions from fans of the series and video games, with many expressing apprehension about the recasting. As viewers adjust to this change after three seasons with Cavill, Sirens of the Deep plays a crucial role in easing the transition. By employing Cockle as Geralt, the animated film allows audiences to acclimate to a new Geralt while simultaneously demonstrating that Netflix’s Witcher universe can thrive and evolve with a different actor in the lead role.
While Cockle enjoys the benefit of having voiced Geralt before Cavill, many viewers might not be familiar with the video games. Cockle’s portrayal in Sirens of the Deep should not alienate fans of Netflix’s The Witcher, as he closely resembles Henry Cavill’s interpretation. Whether more of Doug Cockle’s Geralt will be featured in future projects remains to be seen, but for now, he solidly bridges the gap during this transitional phase within the beloved franchise.
