Baldur’s Gate 3 Lae’Zel actor also auditioned for Astarion and more in Larian’s RPG

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here

Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 is known for having brilliant characters bolstered by a perfect cast. However, it turns out that Devora Wilde, the actor behind everyone’s favourite Githyanki, Lae’Zel, auditioned for a number of additional party members in the game.

Devorah Wilde could’ve been Astarion?

In a recent interview with GINXTV, Lae’Zel actor Devora Wilde revealed that her audition process for Baldur’s Gate 3 didn’t just involve her reading lines for the Githyanki character. Instead, she read for multiple core party members in the game.

Before being officially cast in Baldur’s Gate 3, Wilde did line readings for the role of Shadowheart, who would be played by Jennifer English, the role of Karlach, voiced by Samantha Béart, as well as the role of Astarion, who was nabbed by Neil Newbon.

“I did audition for all the other characters too, I believe,” the actor explained. “I definitely auditioned for Shadowheart and Karlach… And probably Astarion?”

At the time, the core party members didn’t have names attached for the actors. Instead, they were told key elements of their characters, such as their race and background, without giving any information away.

“The Tieflings were devilkin,” Wilde explained. “I think you had a half-elf, a dark elf, and so I just auditioned for all of them because I have no reference, and I was just like, might as well. Let’s just go for it!”

Shortly after sending in her tapes for the different character types, Wilde was given the part of Lae’Zel, a role she would go on to refine into the gruff, lovable party member we know today. However, just one different line reading might’ve changed everything.

For more coverage on the actors behind Baldur’s Gate 3, read about how Astarion actor Neil Newbon ad-libbed his characters best moment or read about how the game’s entire cast have become genuine friends in the year since the game’s release.

About the Author

Lewis White is a veteran games journalist with a decade of experience writing news, reviews, features and investigative pieces about game development with a focus on Halo and Xbox.