Geralt Actor Calls Witcher 4 Ciri Lead 'Woke' Claim 'Stupid'

Doug Cockle, the iconic voice behind Geralt in the *The Witcher* series, has responded firmly to the criticism surrounding *The Witcher 4* and its focus on Ciri. In a recent video by Fall Damage, Cockle addressed the backlash head-on, dismissing claims that the game's shift to featuring Ciri as its protagonist is "woke" as unfounded and misguided.

"That's just stupid," Cockle remarked about the negative reactions to CD Projekt's decision. He emphasized that Ciri, a beloved character from the *The Witcher* universe, is an excellent choice for the protagonist role. "It's not woke," he clarified. "There's nothing woke about it. [Ciri]'s a cool character from *The Witcher*, and they're gonna focus on that character, and that's awesome."

Despite Geralt's continued presence in *The Witcher 4*, the announcement that Ciri would take the lead role sparked controversy among a small segment of fans. Cockle defended the decision, arguing for the necessity of exploring new narratives within the franchise. "We can't just have Geralt for every single game for *The Witcher* ad nauseam, out through eternity," he said, pointing out that *Blood and Wine* was intended to conclude Geralt's journey.

Cockle expressed his support and enthusiasm for Ciri's new role, stating, "I celebrate Ciri. I celebrate her being the protagonist. So all you people who think it's woke... [blows raspberry]."

He further elaborated on why Ciri's story is a natural progression for the series, drawing a connection to the original novels by Andrzej Sapkowski. "If you read the books, then you understand why CD Projekt went down this avenue," Cockle explained. He highlighted the unexplored potential in Ciri's storyline that was only hinted at in *The Witcher 3* due to the game's focus on Geralt.

Cockle urged critics to delve into Sapkowski's novels, asserting, "If you think it's woke, read the damn books — they're good, first of all. And secondly, you won't think it's so woke anymore." He pointed out that the games are set after the events of the novels, yet Sapkowski's work also underscores Ciri's importance and readiness to step into the spotlight when Geralt's story needs a break.

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IGN's previous discussions with CD Projekt's franchise and lore designers, Cian Maher and Marcin Batylda, also shed light on how Geralt's return in *The Witcher 4* aligns with the established timeline of events, ensuring continuity and coherence within the series.