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Samantha Béart, known for her captivating performance as Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3, has carved out a fascinating path to land this role. Interestingly, she first auditioned for a character named Kayra, which was quite different from the fierce and dynamic portrayal of Karlach we see now. After a breakout indie role and some savvy social media outreach, Béart secured her spot in the game, revealing the often-unseen intricacies of the casting process in the gaming industry.
The Audition Process
Béart’s audition journey kicked off in 2020, when she initially tried out for Kayra, a fighter character. She explained, “Sarah Baylus, who wrote all the dialogue for Karlach, said she was a bit similar to Lae’zel, so they changed her quite radically.” Despite her efforts, Béart didn’t land the role and decided not to pursue the more minor characters she humorously referred to as “Goblin 49” types.
But here’s where it gets interesting—Béart didn’t let that setback stop her. After a standout performance in another indie project, she took the initiative to reach out to Larian Studios, the creators of Baldur’s Gate 3, via social media. “As the only person in Britain who wasn’t going to be in Baldur’s Gate, I slid into his DMs,” she recounted. This bold move opened the door for her to audition for Karlach, a character that underwent significant development leading up to the game’s final release.
The audition process for Karlach was both swift and intense. Béart recalled, “There was, and that was Karlach, and I had a home audition. I did an in-person audition, and this was very quick after each other, and then was cast within a day. It was kind of crazy.” Her rapid transition from auditioning to being cast highlights just how fast-paced the voice acting industry can be.
Recording Challenges
When it came to recording sessions for Baldur’s Gate 3, Béart faced quite the challenge—nearly a year of extensive work. Balancing a full-time IT consultancy job with her voice acting commitments, she shared, “I had a full-time job, and I did evenings and weekends at the studio.” What started as a planned ten sessions quickly ballooned to around sixty-five, showcasing just how unpredictable game development can be.
“They told me it was 10 sessions. It ended up being around 65,” Béart recalled, noting the challenges of managing her time effectively. “I can’t leave my very well-paying IT consultancy job for this one video game,” she pointed out, shedding light on the sacrifices many voice actors make to follow their passion.
Despite the intensity, Béart found the recording sessions exhilarating. “Every other day is fine on the voice and the body. We’re talking four-hour sessions here,” she explained. The dynamic nature of Karlach added to the excitement, as she felt a deep connection to the role she embodied. “There was a really nice momentum to it, especially in a character who’s very aware of the time she has.”
Looking Ahead
As Béart reflects on her journey, there’s a sense of disbelief in her voice. “It’s been a bit of a shocker that this is where I’ve ended up. But I’ve been playing games a lot longer than I wanted to be an actor.” Her lifelong passion for gaming has undoubtedly fueled her enthusiasm for her work.
Her training at the prestigious Guildhall School has proven invaluable, equipping her with the skills needed for the unique demands of motion capture work. “They teach you everything but audio and video games,” she mentioned, highlighting the adaptability that’s crucial in her field. Béart’s background in theater has allowed her to transition smoothly into the world of video game performance, where actors often find themselves in unconventional settings.
Looking to the future, Béart hopes to follow in the footsteps of celebrated actors, aiming to be a familiar face across various projects. “I’m hoping to be very annoying and everywhere, like some of my contemporaries,” she joked. Her voice has already been featured in new releases, including Tron: Catalyst, and she has several upcoming projects lined up, such as Fading Echo and Absolum.
Beyond her acting career, Béart is also engaging in game development discussions through her podcast series, It Takes a Village, where she delves into the intricacies of the industry. With a bright future ahead, Béart is poised to make a significant impact in the world of voice acting and gaming.