The Witcher 4 and Songs of the Past: Doug Cockle Discusses Geralt in 2026

The Witcher 4, internally known as Project Polaris, will be preceded by a new expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt titled Songs of the Past, which features the return of Doug Cockle as the voice of Geralt. Developed by CD Projekt Red, this upcoming content is designed to act as a narrative bridge between the established events of The Witcher 3 and the future trajectory of the franchise.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the Role of Songs of the Past

Since its initial release on May 18, 2015, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has maintained a strong presence in the gaming industry, currently holding a 92 rating on Metacritic. The game is available across multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and macOS. The announcement of the Songs of the Past DLC represents a significant return to this title, providing players with additional content that prepares them for the next major installment in the series, Project Polaris.

In our coverage here at In Game News, we have tracked the development of this expansion, which has been the subject of rumors for some time. The official announcement confirmed that the content is intended to function as a prologue. According to statements from CD Projekt Red co-CEO Michał Nowakowski, the expansion is purposefully structured to link the conclusion of Geralt’s journey in the third game to the new narrative grounds covered in The Witcher 4.

Doug Cockle Returns as the Voice of Geralt

The return of Doug Cockle to the role of Geralt of Rivia is a central component of the Songs of the Past announcement. Cockle, who has voiced the iconic character throughout the series, recently shared his thoughts on the project during an interview. While he expressed enthusiasm for the return, he remained transparent regarding the extent of his current knowledge about the specific plot details or the scope of the new expansion.

Cockle noted that he had a general sense that the studio was working on something new, drawing comparisons to previous spin-offs like 2018's Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales. Despite his involvement, he emphasized that he possesses no more information than what has been publicly released by the developer. This adherence to non-disclosure agreements is standard practice for the actor, who confirmed that he is waiting for further instructions from the studio regarding his recording sessions for the project.

The Future of The Witcher Franchise

The roadmap for the franchise remains focused on both new entries and the modernization of older titles. Beyond Songs of the Past and The Witcher 4, the studio is also working on a remake of the original 2007 game. Regarding his potential involvement in the remake, Cockle stated that he has not yet been brought in to record lines for that project. He expressed a clear desire to continue portraying the character as long as he is welcome to do so, though he acknowledged that the remake is likely several years away from completion.

CD Projekt Red has clarified that the remake of the first game is expected to follow the release of The Witcher 4. Given that the next major installment is not scheduled for release until at least 2027, the timeline for the remake remains distant. Players looking for more information on these developments can follow our CD Projekt Red coverage for the latest updates.

Production Context and Industry Milestones

The longevity of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is further evidenced by its commercial performance. The title has achieved a milestone of 65 million copies sold, solidifying its position as one of the best-selling games in history. This success provides the foundation for the studio's continued investment in the franchise. The following table summarizes the current status of the upcoming projects mentioned in recent reports:

As we continue to monitor these developments, we will provide updates on casting, release windows, and gameplay features. For those interested in tracking the broader scope of the industry, you can see our RPG news analysis for more context on how these titles fit into the current market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Songs of the Past a bridge to The Witcher 4?
Yes, CD Projekt Red co-CEO Michał Nowakowski has confirmed that the Songs of the Past DLC serves as a narrative prologue to connect The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt to the upcoming The Witcher 4.

Will Doug Cockle return as Geralt in The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past?
Yes, Doug Cockle is set to return to the role of Geralt of Rivia for the newly announced Songs of the Past expansion.

When will The Witcher 4 be released?
While no specific release date has been set, CD Projekt Red has indicated that The Witcher 4 will not be released until at least 2027.