Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs Replacing actors with AI is "dumb as hell," says Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Baldur's Gate 3 star Jennifer English
Bernard in Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs All Baldur's Gate 3 Bernard commands and rewards
Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs Baldur's Gate 3 Dank Crypt walkthrough and guide
Baldur's Gate insignia showing the symbol of Bhaal, a skull surrounded by a ring of tear drops
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 set for a new update "nearly 15 years after the Enhanced Editions" launched
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Astarion, a pale male elf with short curly white hair and red eyes, looking over his shoulder with a smirk on his face
Baldur's Gate As Baldur's Gate 3 devs decide what to do next with Divinity, the RPG's publishing lead celebrates rise in players
Baldur's Gate 3 companion Shadowheart, a young woman with braided black hair and plated armor, smirking while glancing to the side
Fantasy Shows Baldur's Gate 3 TV show: Everything we know so far about the upcoming HBO fantasy series
The Witcher 3 Triss and Yennefer
The Witcher The Witcher 3's Yen is "like a naggy mom," Geralt actor says, but her and Triss are both "absolutely stonkin' ladies"
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 actor Neil Newbon says AI voices "sound crap" and studios should pay actors to re-record those lines
Divinity
RPGs We're getting Divinity over more Baldur's Gate 3 because Larian devs weren't enjoying "doing the D&D thing"
An orc-like creature holds up a mug in cheers
RPGs Divinty's freaky announcement is a great reminder that this is next game from the team that let you have sex with a bear
Astarian looking pensive with his hand resting on his chin in Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 somehow delays Grok update on Twitter, and Larian feels the same way about that as you
The Witcher 3
The Witcher The Witcher 3 may have one of the best quests in RPG history, but it drove Geralt actor Doug Cockle completely "bonkers"
Baldur's Gate 3 Drunken Master Monk in the House of Hope screenshot
RPGs Baldur's Gate 3 reveals Larian's commitment to perfecting its RPG recipe
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Withers, a mummified corpse-like man with gray features and golden adornments
Baldur's Gate I have over 800 hours in Baldur's Gate 3 – here's the only way I see HBO's TV show working
Divinity
RPGs "Very important findings": Much like Baldur's Gate 3, Larian knows you've watched Divinity's "sexy times" on repeat
  1. Games
  2. RPGs
  3. Baldur's Gate 3

The Witcher 3's Geralt actor spent just an hour delivering the most chilling voice lines for the baddest bonehead in Baldur’s Gate 3: "I was just like, 'yeah, please, yes!'"

News
By Ashley Bardhan published 20 December 2024

Bhaal would be no one without Doug Cockle

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Baldur's Gate 3
(Image credit: Larian)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Baldur's Gate 3 is a damp, dark cave for Bhaal – its resident God of Murder and skull-faced daddy – to spread evil in. But he wouldn't be able to do it so efficiently if it weren't for The Witcher 3 actor Doug Cockle's creaky, creepy voice. 

"I recorded for less than an hour," Cockle explains in a recent interview with the website Geektown. "I think [Bhaal] had, like, 23 lines that we recorded. But I was just thrilled to be part of it." 

Despite Bhaal's limited dialogue – which Cockle delivers with disquieting smoke in his tone – the character is fundamental to Baldur's Gate 3, with irremovable ties to Baldur's Gate 3's Dark Urge origin. Players who choose to walk that bloody narrative path will eventually wander deeper and deeper into Bhaal's wicked control. 

You may like
  • The Witcher 3 The Witcher 3 may have one of the best quests in RPG history, but it drove Geralt actor Doug Cockle completely "bonkers"
  • Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor says there won't be another game like Baldur's Gate 3 "either ever, or for a very, very, very long time"
  • Baldur's Gate 3 Shadowheart Long before Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Jennifer English filled Divinity: Original Sin 2 roles

But Cockle's personal origin story for his role in Baldur's Gate 3 is a lot cuter than that. 

"I was at a gaming event, and I ran into [Astarion voice actor] Neil Newbon," Cockle recalls. "We were talking about Dungeons & Dragons, and I was talking about how much I loved Neverwinter Nights and the old Baldur's Gate games, [...] and he just kind of stood there nodding at me.

"He just went, 'You might get a call from me next week,'" Cockle continues. "He said, 'You didn't hear it from me, but we're recording Baldur's Gate 3, and we have been for some time, and there are some minor, but important, characters who have not been cast yet.' [...] I was just like, "'Yeah, please, yes! I'd love to be in Baldur's Gate 3.'" The rest is history. 

Baldur's Gate 3 actor behind beloved companion Shadowheart says she's "open" to returning for another RPG - if it doesn't turn the character into "a cartoon version of her."

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PS5 Xbox Series X PC Gaming Platforms PlayStation Xbox
Ashley Bardhan
Ashley Bardhan
Social Links Navigation
Senior Writer

Ashley is a Senior Writer at GamesRadar+. She's been a staff writer at Kotaku and Inverse, too, and she's written freelance pieces about horror and women in games for sites like Rolling Stone, Vulture, IGN, and Polygon. When she's not covering gaming news, she's usually working on expanding her doll collection while watching Saw movies one through 11.

Read more
The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 may have one of the best quests in RPG history, but it drove Geralt actor Doug Cockle completely "bonkers"
 
 
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Astarion actor says there won't be another game like Baldur's Gate 3 "either ever, or for a very, very, very long time"
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 Shadowheart
Long before Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Jennifer English filled Divinity: Original Sin 2 roles
 
 
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 actor Neil Newbon says AI voices "sound crap" and studios should pay actors to re-record those lines
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Withers, a mummified corpse-like man with gray features and golden adornments
I have over 800 hours in Baldur's Gate 3 – here's the only way I see HBO's TV show working
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing companion Shadowheart, a young half-elf woman with long tied-back black hair
Larian's publishing boss threatens to "crash out" over Baldur's Gate show: "I don't think anyone can trump our writers"
 
 
Latest in RPGs
Fallout 3 screenshot of someone in power armor standing in front of a rundown version of the Washington Monument
More hopium for Fallout 3 Remastered emerges as the unannounced RPG is named in a product listing for an upcoming figure
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gustave winces
"The first track spoils the whole game": Clair Obscur Expedition 33 dev confirms it was filling your ears with spoilers
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 took inspiration from a surprising anime - Soul Eater creator's Fire Force
 
 
Dragon Age 2
Dragon Age 2 was originally planned to be "much bigger" before EA made other demands, says series lead
 
 
Fallout 4
Fallout 4 was "missing something," but Todd Howard helped confirm "there should be this overriding sense of paranoia"
 
 
Screenshot from Banquet of Fools
Ridiculously pretty Baldur's Gate-like with a beat 'em up twist and 91% positive Steam reviews finally hits 1.0
 
 
Latest in News
A hand poses Lego Luigi's head
Lego Luigi kit lets you recreate the iconic Mario Kart death stare
 
 
Yuta getting ready to attack in Jujutsu Kaisen season 3
Jujutsu Kaisen actor offers perfect response to why AI should stay out of anime
 
 
Pickmon
Pokemon fan artist alleges new Palworld clone Pickmon "stole one of my designs"
 
 
Life is Strange
Join Chloe and Max on a "fiery weekend" for a better glimpse into Life is Strange: Reunion at the Future Games Show this week
 
 
Mortal Kombat movie
Mortal Kombat 2 star joins in with Street Fighter movie beef after Game Awards dig because he "loves a good rivalry"
 
 
Mackenyu as Zoro in One Piece season 2
One Piece season 2 actor Mackenyu says he learned Roronoa Zoro's 15-minute 1 vs 100 fight in just 6 hours
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Virtual Boy for Switch 2 sitting on coffee table with TV in backdrop displaying Wario Land gameplay.
    1
    I respect the Virtual Boy as a collectable Switch 2 gadget, but it’s not exactly a retro console remake
  2. 2
    Bizarre Lineage codes (March 2026) for free Stat Point Essence, Rare Chests, and more
  3. 3
    The Thrustmaster T248R is making me question where a sim racing wheel with no direct drive and no modular wheelbase fits in the market in 2026
  4. 4
    These Mario Day-inspired Switch 2 accessories will power up your console more than a super star
  5. 5
    Pokemon fan artist alleges new Palworld clone Pickmon "stole one of my designs," saying "they didn't even try to change something and make it a bit less obvious"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...