Wisdom from The Witcher – Becoming Geralt, Fan Tattoos and Dungeons & Dragons with Doug Cockle

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 JordanCareer 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 CockleWhether 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 Witcher00:09:54 – Doug’s first part – and the role of improvisation in acting for games00:13:30 – Changes in the industry00:15:19 – Cameos that never were #2: Cyberpunk 207700:17:51 – Roach on the roof (again), a glitch in the Matrix?00:22:32 – Directing stage – an apprenticeship for actors00:24:25 – Recording branched dialogue, voice for player choice00:26:14 – Alan Wake 2 – Nightingale goes nude00:29:34 – Ego in acting – disaster on the set of Marvel’s Captain America00:33:57 – Acting: integrating yourself to find truth00:37:35 – Using an actor’s toolbox00:42:48 – 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 HarryCD 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 HissrichHonor Blackman The Glass MenagerieIndependence War II: Edge of ChaosOutsource Media (Game Audio Production)Band of Brothers Reign of FireKeanu ReevesCyberpunk 2077RoachEGX (UK Gaming Event)Gwent Alan Wake IINightingale (Alan Wake Wiki)Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)Stanley Tucci Much Ado About Nothing (1993)Dungeons & DragonsThe 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 StudiosPitStop ProductionsNatural 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...