Ciri Takes The Lead In The Witcher 4
The Witcher 4 is shaping up to be a huge moment for RPG fans. This time CD Projekt Red is not putting Geralt at the center of the story. Instead, Ciri is stepping into the main protagonist role, taking over those very familiar witcher boots for her own adventure.
If you have played The Witcher 3, you already know Ciri is not a simple side character. She is powerful, fast, and deeply connected to the lore of the world. Making her the star of The Witcher 4 lines up with the books and opens the door for a fresh style of story and combat.
There is another big shift too. Ciri will not just be changing roles in the story, she will also sound different. CD Projekt Red has cast a new voice actor for her. Ciara Berkeley is taking over the role from Jo Wyatt, which is why fans immediately noticed that Ciri’s voice in the first trailer did not quite match what they remembered.
Anytime a beloved character gets a new voice, the community gets nervous. But one of the most important voices in The Witcher universe has already weighed in and he is very much on board.
Doug Cockle Gives The New Ciri His Seal Of Approval
Doug Cockle, the legendary voice of Geralt of Rivia, has been pretty vocal about this new era for the series. He has defended the choice to move the spotlight from Geralt to Ciri and has had some very direct words for people who are upset about it. His advice to the loudest complainers is simple: read the books before calling it a bad or forced decision.
In a recent interview at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025, Cockle talked about finally meeting Ciara Berkeley in person. Before the event they had only traded a few messages online, basically just saying hello and offering support. Meeting face to face seems to have sealed the deal for him.
According to Cockle, Berkeley has a fantastic presence and feels like a strong fit for the role. He described her as lovely and confident, and said he is sure she is going to do a great job as Ciri. He has even told her that if she ever wants to chat or ask questions about working inside The Witcher world, he is available.
He also made it clear he does not think she really needs advice. From his point of view, she already has the right energy and attitude to carry the character forward. That kind of open support from the longtime voice of Geralt is a big deal. It helps calm fears about the new direction and shows that people inside the project believe in the casting choice.
Of course, no one expected Cockle to publicly drag his new colleague. But there is a difference between politely approving and clearly being excited. Every recent comment from him has pointed to genuine enthusiasm for Ciri taking the lead and for Berkeley stepping into the role.
Geralt Will Still Be There And The Sequel Is Getting Huge
If you are worried about never hearing Geralt again, do not panic. Cockle has already confirmed that Geralt is very likely to appear in The Witcher 4. He will not be the main character, but he is not disappearing from the world either. Expect him to show up somewhere in the story, probably in a mentor or supporting role as Ciri takes center stage.
This balance makes sense for where the series is going. It lets CD Projekt Red move the story forward without throwing away the character that made the games famous. Fans get a new focus and new perspectives while still having room for callbacks and emotional moments with Geralt.
All of this is happening while CD Projekt Red is in growth mode. The studio behind both The Witcher and Cyberpunk has been expanding its teams and now has close to 800 people on staff. That means more developers, more artists, more designers, and a lot more resources to pour into The Witcher 4 and the next Cyberpunk game.
With that kind of scale, this sequel is not going to be a small side story. It is positioned as a major RPG event, the kind of release that can shake up the genre the way The Witcher 3 did years ago. Bigger teams do not automatically mean better games, but combined with an experienced studio and a bold new lead character, it sets expectations high.
For players just getting into the series, The Witcher 4 could be a surprisingly good starting point. Ciri as the main protagonist gives the game a fresh identity, while Geralt’s presence and the studio’s history keep a link to the older titles. For returning fans, the mix of familiar characters, a new voice performance from Ciara Berkeley, and Doug Cockle’s visible support suggest a handoff that respects what came before while trying something new.
In short, The Witcher 4 is not just The Witcher 3 with more monsters. It is the start of a new chapter where Ciri leads the charge, backed by a growing studio and a cast that clearly believes in the future of the franchise.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-witcher/the-voice-of-geralt-isnt-worried-about-ciris-recasting-in-the-witcher-4-i-think-shes-going-to-do-a-great-job/
