Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3is packed with talent. With each performance, the talented actors deliver heartfelt emotion with such conviction that it’s incredibly easy to get immersed in the larger world of Faerûn. It’s no surprise thatBaldur’s Gate 3has been awarded accolades left, right, and center, particularly especially in regards to the storytelling and acting performances.
Whilst the characters ofBaldur’s Gate 3have quickly become iconic and synonymous withDungeons & Dragons, the faces behind the voices deserve equal recognition, and there’s definitely praise to be had for these talented actors. Here are some of the best performances on offer inBaldur’s Gate 3.
8The Narrator – Amelia Tyler
Amelia Tyler Narrates The Game With Gravitas And Sincerity
The Narrator’s voice is one of the most frequently heard voices inBaldur’s Gate 3, so it was definitely one of the most important ones to get right. Amelia Tyler is the narrator, almost like the Dungeon Master, ofBaldur’s Gate 3. She provides important nuggets of information to players and prompts key decisions. She’s one of the few characters that will be heard throughout the entire game,and Tyler’s performance does not disappoint.
For her work onBaldur’s Gate 3, Tyler was nominated for 2023’s Golden Joystick’s Best Supporting Performer, alongside Neil Newbon, which should speak to the caliber of her performance. Whilst Tyler herself didn’t think fans would think much of her performance, thinking that the narrator would fall by the wayside, she flawlessly imbues subtle changes in her inflection and delivery to match whatever is unfolding on screen.
7Shadowheart – Jennifer English
A Performance That Resonated With Fans
Shadowheart is an incredibly complex character who works through a lot of emotional strife inBaldur’s Gate 3, and Jennifer English portrays her with such vigor and sincerity that it’s difficult to not get wrapped up alongside Shadowheart in her turmoil. Shadowheart is a Cleric of Shar, The Mistress of The Night, and has been sent on a dangerous mission by a cult that has robbed her mind of memories.
Throughout her storyline, it is discovered that her problems with her past run deeper than her faith, challenging her most strongly held beliefs and introducing new twists and turns that would confuse and destroy her, which is a challenging battle for an actor to wage. Yet, Jennifer English pulls off a fantastic performance as Shadowheart that can pull on the heartstrings and never fails to impress, so much so, thatShadowheart could easily be the protagonist.
6Volo – Stephen Hogan
Hogan Captures Volo’s Eccentric Nature
Volo is an iconic character inDungeons and Dragonslore, appearing in much more media than justBaldur’s Gate 3.Volo is the author ofVolo’s Guide to Monstersand has written many books inD&Dlore. This modest wizard was an important one to get right, as the character has been a staple ofDungeons and Dragonsfor decades, first being mentioned all the way back in the second edition.
Stephen Hogan captures the eccentric, buffoon-ish, yet sort of lovable persona of Volo perfectly. Volo is known to be a bit of an odd fellow, he’s generally overconfident in his own ability and is known to brag excessively. This is captured with ease when Volo offers to remove a mind-flayer parasite from the player’s head inBaldur’s Gate 3, despite having never done it before, and Volo seems genuinely a little shocked that his ham-fisted plan results in a player losing an eye.
5Minsc – Matthew Mercer
The Famous Dungeon Master Enters The Game
Matthew Mercer is arguably the most famous Dungeon Master in the world, with over two decades of experience, Mercer rose to prominence within theDungeons and Dragonscommunity after hosting Critical Role, theDungeons and Dragonspodcast which sees acclaimed voice actors playing a campaign ofD&D. Mercer plays one of the key roles inBaldur’s Gate 3, as Minsc, a fan-favorite of the franchise,who first appeared inBaldur’s Gateback in 1998. He was originally voiced by Jim Cummings, who, having voiced iconic characters like Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and The Tasmanian Devil, left big shoes for Mercer to fill.
Mercer is something of a voice-acting darling, having voiced an iconic character fromOverwatch,lending his voice as Cole Cassidy, the cowboy. He delivered an exceptional performance that did not disappoint long-term fans of the franchise.
4Enver Gortash – Jason Isaacs
Jason Isaacs Excels As A Primary Villain
If there’s one actor that can be counted on to create a memorable villain, it’s Jason Isaacs. Famous for playing the iconic Lucius Malfoy in theHarry Potterfranchise, Isaacs has had decades of experience portraying villains, and he puts his skills to excellent use as Lord Enver Gortash inBaldur’s Gate 3.
Gortash is an extremely smug, yet calculating and intelligent character who comprises one of the chosen of the Dead Three, who are the main antagonists in the game. Unlike characters like Ketheric Thorm, whose presence itself feels threatening, or Raphael, who can come across like he’s trying to pull a fast one in true Devilish fashion, Gortash exudes a cold, calculating, and menacing demeanor, that, whilst physically unassuming, breeds contempt and imposes a sense of overarching power. This is due in part to Gortash’s political position in Baldur’s Gate but is largely due to Isaacs' performance as the power-hungry lord with a powerful and calm confidence.
3Raphael – Andrew Wincott
Smarmy And Arrogant, Perfect For The Devil
Andrew Wincott portrays Raphael, who is arguably the most memorable villain inBaldur’s Gate 3.Whilst The Chosen of The Dead Three are fearsome villains in their own right, Wincott’s portrayal of Raphael has spawned a character that fans can’t help but love. He’s crafty, arrogant,devious, and dangerous, whilst still charming, eloquent, and even a touch poetic.
Wincott can take Raphael from greasing the wheels of manipulation and enticing a player into making a deal with the literal devil, to dark and threatening at the flip of a coin. It’s as convincing as it is impressive, and it always makes interactions with Raphael memorable. What’s more, Raphael sings his own villain song during a showdown in The House of Hope after players attempt to steal theOrphic Hammer, which players have lauded as one of the best pieces of music by Borislav Slavov in theBaldur’s Gate 3soundtrack.
2Ketheric Thorm – J.K. Simmons
An Iconic Voice For An Iconic Villain
Ketheric Thorm, one of the three major antagonists inBaldur’s Gate 3has a major presence in the game both on screen and as a character. J.K. Simmons delivers a masterful performance that captures the tragedy behind Thorm, along with the commanding authority associated with the character. When players first meet Ketheric, some lowly goblins attempt to kill the character, whoshrugs off a deadly blow to the chest with a giant battleaxe with ease.
He simply gets up, removes the axe, drops it at the goblin’s feet, and invites the goblin to try again. His authority and tenacity are immediately established, in part due to great visual storytelling, but also due to Simmons' effortless command of character that doesn’t just evoke, but demands, respect.
1Astarion – Neil Newbon
A Performance Brimming With Award-Winning Range
Neil Newbon has been nominated for a good chunk of Awardsfor his performance as Astarion inBaldur’s Gate 3.Newbon embodies the depth and complexity of a multi-century-old tortured elven vampire spawn with such ease that it’s easy to forget he’s just a regular guy. He snagged the Best Performance award at the 2023 Game Awards and was nominated for The Best Acting in a Game Award by the New York Game Awards, and Outstanding Achievement in Character at the D.I.C.E Awards.
Astarion quickly became a fan-favorite origin character, not only because of an incredibly rich story that tackles deep-rooted trauma that has strong themes of vengeance and healing, but due to Newbon’s incredible performance that resonated with fans and quickly made Astarion an iconic video game character. Newbon fills Astaroin with a sharp and dangerous charm, as well as a fragility that makes the character so tragic. It’sgreat to see Newbon get the recognition he deserves.
