Fans Urge HBO to Cast Astarion’s Original Voice Actor in Potential Baldur’s Gate Series

Following the monumental confirmation of an HBO-led Baldur’s Gate series, the gaming community has been abuzz with fervent casting speculation. While official announcements remain a distant prospect given the project’s early stage, we do know that Craig Mazin, the creative force behind The Last of Us, will serve as showrunner. Notably, Larian Studios has confirmed they will not be involved in this iteration. Despite the lack of news from HBO, fans of Baldur’s Gate 3 have already reached a consensus on who should portray the charismatic vampire-rogue, Astarion.

According to community polling on mycast.io—a digital hub where enthusiasts curate their ideal live-action casts—one name stands head and shoulders above the rest. It appears the audience is demanding that the original architect of the character’s voice and motion, Neil Newbon, reprise the mantle of Astarion Ancunín.

Newbon, whose masterful performance earned him the Best Performance trophy at the 2023 Game Awards, is uniquely positioned as the sole original cast member currently favored to return by the fan-casting site. With a decisive lead, Newbon holds a net score of 15 points, surpassing runner-up Tom Blyth. Other names circulating in the discourse include versatile actors like Jamie Campbell Bower, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Felton, and House of the Dragon standout Ewan Mitchell.

The fan-casting wishlist extends far into the realms of Westeros, featuring several Game of Thrones veterans. Projections include Sophie Turner as the devilish Mizora, Iwan Rheon as the tyrannical Lord Enver Gortash, and Gwendoline Christie as the radiant Dame Aylin. Additionally, Nathalie Emmanuel is a favorite for the beloved tiefling Alfira, while Dimension 20 maestro Brennan Lee Mulligan has emerged as the top pick for the investigative Hollyphant, Valeria.

The narrative trajectory Craig Mazin intends to follow remains shrouded in mystery, and there is no guarantee Astarion will even be featured. Unlike a traditional retelling, the HBO production is positioned as a sequel, intended to explore the world after the game’s events. Given the branching nature of Baldur’s Gate 3, where character survival depends entirely on player agency, establishing a “canon” ending poses a significant creative challenge. However, the show is expected to blend original protagonists with legacy figures from the Larian era.

It is difficult to envision a return to the Forgotten Realms without its most flamboyant vampire; after all, Astarion thrives on the spotlight. Newbon himself shares this sentiment, expressing a deep-seated desire to return to the role in a live-action capacity.

“Portraying Astarion was a four-and-a-half-year journey that truly stayed with me,” Newbon shared in a recent interview with GamingBible. “He hasn’t left my system yet. While most characters allow for a clean goodbye once the credits roll, Astarion lingers. I find immense joy in inhabiting him and truly hope there is more of his story to tell.”

Source: Polygon