Hey everyone, it's 2026, and looking back, I can't believe how much my perception of video games has shifted. A few years ago, before diving headfirst into the world of Baldur's Gate 3, my view of gaming was... well, let's just say it was like thinking a symphony was just a collection of random noises. I knew some folks enjoyed it, but I never grasped the depth or the artistry. For me, actors like Jennifer English (Shadowheart) and Theo Solomon (Wyll) were taking a fun little side-quest in their careers. And me? I had done my share of screen work, but a leading role in a major video game? That felt like being asked to pilot a starship when I'd only ever ridden a bicycle. Baldur's Gate 3 changed everything. It wasn't just a job; it was a massive, perspective-shattering revelation that showed me video games could be a pinnacle of narrative art.

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My "Aha!" Moment: This Is Proper Storytelling 😲

Let me be totally honest—it sounds almost embarrassing to say it now, but working on Baldur's Gate 3 was a huge turning point for me. That project was the moment the scales fell from my eyes. Before that, my understanding of games was super limited. I thought, 'Oh, video games... they're a bit of fun, a game with some cutscenes sprinkled in.' You know, like a fancy, interactive cartoon. But after experiencing the process, after living and breathing Lae'zel and this world, my entire viewpoint did a 180. I remember telling people, 'Okay, this is serious stuff, in the best way possible.' It was like discovering that the simple-looking puzzle box you've been ignoring on the shelf actually contains an entire, meticulously crafted universe inside.

Why The Writing Blew Me Away ✍️

I've been lucky to work across different mediums—audiobooks, film, TV—but I can say with zero hesitation that Baldur's Gate 3 contains some of the best writing I've ever had the privilege to act from. It's just incredible. The narrative depth isn't reserved just for the main party members. Jennifer English (who is an absolute gem, by the way) might chime in to praise Lae'zel, but for me, the magic was everywhere. Every character, even the NPCs who only had a handful of lines, felt real. I always got the sense there was a whole, rich backstory humming just beneath the surface for each of them, like a library where every book, no matter how slim, was filled with compelling lore. It wasn't just delivering lines; it was embodying fully realized lives.

A Newfound Respect and Love ❤️

This experience fundamentally changed me. It made me really love video games as a storytelling medium. If you're going to be introduced to this art form, starring in a game like Baldur's Gate 3 is like having Shakespeare himself give you a private tutoring session on drama. It set a towering standard. The care that went into every detail, from the character arcs to the world-building, was astounding. It showed me that games aren't a lesser form of storytelling; they're a uniquely powerful one, where interaction and narrative weave together to create something profoundly personal for the player (and the actor!).

The Ripple Effect in the Industry 🌊

My journey mirrors a bigger shift happening. The industry is recognizing the depth required for these roles. For instance, the performance director, Aliona Baranova, highlighted the commitment to inclusivity by having the cast re-record lines with they/them pronouns—a detail that shows narrative care extends to representing players' identities. Yet, conversations with legends like Jennifer Hale remind us that even with such artistic recognition, old imbalances persist, like disparity in convention appearances. Baldur's Gate 3 wasn't just a game; it was a catalyst, proving that video game acting is serious, complex, and worthy of the same respect as any other performance art. For me, it was the door swinging wide open to a world I never knew I was missing, and I've been eagerly exploring it ever since.