Baldur’s Gate 3 Shadowheart actress didn’t initially love her character 

The gothic follower of Shar, Shadowheart, is one of the most beloved characters within Baldur’s Gate 3. Over years of early access, Larian Studios crafted a deep, memorable character, but voice actress Jennifer English didn’t love her like fans do. 

Jennifer English didn’t love Shadowheart 

In an interview with IGN, Shadowheart voice actress Jennifer English revealed she didn’t care for the character early on in her journey. 

Since the game’s release, the Baldur’s Gate 3 community helped English discover aspects of the character that she found within herself. With the voice actor’s incredible portrayal of the character, the two eventually became inseparable. 

“The stuff that [players] like in Shadowheart is kind of the stuff I like about myself,” the voice actor revealed. 

With Comic Con lines to meet the voice actress filling out halls, Jennifer English’s Baldur’s Gate character is one of the most iconic RPG characters in a generation. In fact, the main party of Larian’s game is the most recognisable since the release of Mass Effect 2.  

The hate for Lae’zel

Alongside the love for the lovingly nicknamed Shart, the initial Baldur’s Gate 3 community rallied against the character’s rival: Lae’zel. 

In the same interview, Lae’zel actor Devora Wilde revealed her surprise at the community’s hatred of the powerful Githyanki. 

“I was getting a lot of delayed responses,” Wilde said regarding the character’s “polarizing” response. “Even now, where people are like, ‘Oh, you know what? On my third playthrough, I gave her a chance and now I love her.”

These situations are only a sign of how well-written Larian’s characters are with depth and humanity that results in many different feelings. It’s a masterpiece of a game — one that even managed to give victims the strength to leave their abusers — and it should continue to be celebrated. 

For more Baldur’s Gate content, read about the wild animation reference for the game’s freakiest romance scene. If that’s not your bag, you can read about the game’s upcoming patch instead.