SPOILERS AHEAD
Baldur's Gate 3 is filled to the brim with memorable, compelling characters, with even the most minor of NPCs inspiring devoted fan bases. But the most striking of the bunch is Astarion, the charming but tormented vampire rogue who stole the hearts (and the blood) of thousands of players. Astarion's story is one of Baldur's Gate 3's deepest, a beautifully written tale of overcoming abuse, reclaiming sexuality, and learning to trust that has resonated with fans on so many levels.
In a conversation with The Best War Games, Newbon explained that Swen Vincke, the head of Larian Studios, was "not sure" about his take on Astarion. In hindsight, Vincke is likely glad he allowed Newbon to stay - the actor won multiple awards for portraying Astarion, including Best Performance at The Game Awards 2023. Less than a year after the release of Baldur's Gate 3, Astarion even placed 17th in a BAFTA-conducted poll of most iconic video game characters.
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Baldur's Gate is remembered for being a pioneer in bringing Dungeons and Dragons into the digital world, and its first expansion followed this trend.
Newbon Made "Big Choices" As Astarion
Astarion joins the Baldur's Gate 3 party guarded and unable to trust - even holding a knife to the player's neck during their very first meeting. From there, his multi-faceted nature is slowly revealed as he opens up to his new traveling companions. He's witty and flirtatious, as ready with a sweet nothing as he is with a cutting turn of phrase. This part of Astarion never goes away, but the vampire shows a hidden vulnerability that climaxes in a moment of sheer catharsis as he confronts and defeats his vampiric master, Cazador Szarr. It comes together into a tour de force performance - but Newbon explained that not every member of the Larian Studios team was initially on board with his choices.
The choices I was making, I think, were quite big. And a risk, I would say - which I felt was the right thing to do. I know not everybody was sure about it initially, until they got what I was trying to do.
Taking Risks Ultimately Paid Off
The choices Newbon made regarding his portrayal of Astarion were ultimately kept, thanks in large part to cinematic director Jason Latino and Stephen Rooney, the head writer for Astarion. They supported him and understood the direction in which he wanted to take the character. The Astarion players got to meet when Baldur's Gate 3 released was the direct result of the big, risky choices Newbon had made - and it paid off for the studio.
Ultimately, Newbon credited Rooney and the other writers with the success of the character, refusing to take full credit himself. "It worked super well," he said of the final product, before slipping into the tone of the beloved vampire. "Perhaps a little bit too well, Darling!" He concluded with Astarion's trademark giggle. "Just a little soupcon too much!"
Hopefully, Neil Newbon's successful experience portraying Astarion will lead to future exciting choices and risk-taking in upcoming projects. The actor recently showed off the breadth of his talent voicing powerful lich Vecna in a trailer released by Dungeons and Dragons publisher Wizards of the Coast. A possible Vecna as memorable and compelling as Astarion would be an absolute treat for D&D fans both old and new.
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.
THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.
A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- Metascore
- 96
