Geralt Actor Slams 'Woke' Label for Ciri-Led Witcher 4

Doug Cockle, the iconic voice behind Geralt of Rivia in CD Projekt's acclaimed The Witcher series, has firmly addressed the backlash surrounding the upcoming The Witcher 4, which will feature Ciri as its protagonist. In a candid video interview with Fall Damage, Cockle dismissed the criticism, describing it as "just stupid" and emphasizing that the decision to focus on Ciri is not about being "woke," but rather about exploring a well-established and beloved character from the The Witcher universe.

Cockle, who will reprise his role as Geralt in The Witcher 4 despite not being the main character, pointed out the necessity for the series to evolve beyond Geralt's narrative. "We can't just have Geralt for every single game for The Witcher ad nauseam, out through eternity," he remarked, highlighting that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's expansion, Blood and Wine, was meant to conclude Geralt's journey.

Expressing his support for Ciri's central role, Cockle celebrated the character's potential as a protagonist and dismissed detractors with a playful raspberry. He encouraged fans to delve into Andrzej Sapkowski's original novels to better understand the decision to focus on Ciri. "If you read the books, then you understand why CD Projekt went down this avenue," he explained, noting that Ciri's storyline offers a rich tapestry of unexplored narratives that were only hinted at in The Witcher 3.

Cockle's defense of The Witcher 4's direction underscores the game's alignment with the source material, where Ciri plays a significant role. He urged fans to read the novels not only for their quality but also to dispel misconceptions about the game's thematic direction.

As The Witcher 4 promises to continue the saga in a new direction, Cockle's comments serve as a reminder of the franchise's deep roots in Sapkowski's work, which both CD Projekt and the author recognize as pivotal to the series' future.

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