Doug Cockle, the actor who voices Geralt of Rivia, has responded to critiques of The Witcher 4's focus on Ciri, advising certain franchise followers to simply "read the books."
Cockle dismissed the negative reaction to CD Projekt's next Witcher RPG, which was triggered by the decision to feature Ciri as the lead character for the first time, calling it "just stupid."
"It's not a 'woke' decision," Cockle stated during an interview in a Fall Damage video. "There's nothing ideological about it. Ciri is a fantastic character from The Witcher universe, and focusing on her story is an exciting direction."
Cockle has voiced Geralt across CD Projekt's Witcher series and is confirmed to reprise his role in The Witcher 4, though not as the primary protagonist.
Despite Geralt maintaining a presence in the new game, last year's announcement that his adoptive daughter Ciri would take the lead role for the next installment (and likely the subsequent trilogy) prompted a predictable, though limited, online backlash accusing the series of going "woke."
"We can't just have Geralt be the center of every Witcher game forever," Cockle explained, advocating for his character's deserved break. "We've seen the conclusion of Geralt's journey. 'Blood and Wine' was designed to wrap up that story.
"I fully support Ciri and celebrate her being the protagonist. So, to everyone who thinks this is 'woke'... [blows raspberry]."
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Cockle further suggested that The Witcher 4's focus on Ciri is deeply rooted in the original novel series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski.
"If you've read the books, you understand CD Projekt's creative direction," Cockle said. "There's a wealth of narrative material to explore with Ciri that wasn't fully utilized in The Witcher 3, as that story centered on Geralt. But her potential was always hinted at.
"If you think this is 'woke', I urge you to read the books — they're excellent, for one. Secondly, you'll likely reconsider that perspective."
CD Projekt's games are loosely set after the events of Sapkowski's novels, though the author has historically distinguished his work — and the definitive endings he wrote for his characters — from the video games that continue Geralt's tale later on.
Without revealing potential spoilers from the final novel that might inspire The Witcher 4, it's accurate to say Sapkowski, much like CD Projekt, regarded Ciri as a central figure — one perfectly suited to carry the narrative when Geralt steps back.
IGN previously discussed Geralt's return in The Witcher 4 with CD Projekt's franchise and lore designers Cian Maher and Marcin Batylda, who clarified how the established timeline remains consistent.
