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"

Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing companion Shadowheart, a young half-elf woman with long tied-back black hair
(Image credit: Larian Studios)

As Baldur's Gate 3 continues to receive updates from developer Larian Studios, fans of the RPG and its cast alike are looking toward the series' future - and some, including the voice actor behind Shadowheart herself, would be willing to return for Baldur's Gate 4 under the right circumstances.

Speaking in a recent interview with 12DOVE, Shadowheart voice actor Jennifer English reveals that she and the rest of the Baldur's Gate 3 companions would gladly return to work on the game's sequel - if, and only if, it stays true to what made the Dungeons & Dragons series' third entry so great. "I think we're all open to the future of it," explains English, going on to describe what conditions Baldur's Gate 4 would first need to meet.

"If there is a future with Shadowheart," continues the actor, "I would want it to be beautifully written and honor the game's audience, and how inclusive and forward-thinking Larian is. If that opportunity came up and she was beautifully written, and that audience and inclusivity was honored, I would certainly consider it - but only with those conditions." She's serious about that last part, too, and goes on to reassert as much.

"I wouldn't want to take her and make her into a cartoon version of her," she concludes. "I'd want to go forward with that only if it honors her in a way I think we would all be proud of." It's an exciting thought, but there's no telling what direction Baldur's Gate 4 will take. Hasbro previously admitted it's still "talking to lots of partners" about making the sequel, though, so it's likely to happen someday - and I for one can't wait until it does.

Shadowheart's voice actor didn't initially love her character in Baldur's Gate 3 - until she saw the RPG community's reactions

Anna Koselke
Staff Writer

After spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.

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