Baldur's Gate 3: Neil Newbon - Learn more about the career of Astarion's actor!

Neil Newbon is one of the main attractions of the 2024 edition of Brasil Game Show. The actor has established himself as one of the most influential figures in the gaming universe, being one of the most anticipated guests on this event's edition.

His contribution has been essential to the appreciation of professionals working in games, making him a reference in the industry, solidifying himself in the popular imagination by bringing to life the character Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, where he mixed the narrative elements of the game to play a complex individual, full of layers in a performance full of love, fury and, of course, the self-centered cynicism that has become the character’s trademark.

The actor will be at Brasil Game Show on October 10th and 11th, participating in the Meet & Greet, being a judge in the Cosplay contest and also being interviewed at BGS Talks. Check out more about Neil Newbon’s career in this article!

Born in August 1977, Neil Newbon began his artistic career in Birmingham, United Kingdom. From an early age, he demonstrated a passion for the dramatic arts, which led him to enter the theater. His education provided a solid foundation in acting, allowing him to develop versatile skills both on stage and in other media.

The rigorous training, which also included extensive martial arts practices throughout the years, and the practical experience gained in the theater were fundamental in shaping his interpretive style, characterized by emotional depth and authenticity.

Over the years, Neil has acted in films, television series and plays. In film, he has appeared in productions such as Blood: The Last Vampire and The Inbetweeners Movie. On television, he has appeared in British series such as Holby City and Doctors. However, it was in the games that Neil found a space to expand his skills, using his experience in physical and vocal acting to bring characters to life.

His transition to video games has been highlighted with significant roles in acclaimed titles. In 2018, Neil played the characters Elijah Kamski and Gavin Reed in Detroit: Become Human, demonstrating his ability to embody distinct personalities. He then gave voice and movement to Nicholai Ginovaef in the remake of Resident Evil 3, and to Karl Heisenberg in Resident Evil Village, where his performance was praised for adding complexity to the antagonists.

Most recently, in Baldur's Gate 3, Neil lent his voice and motion capture performance to the character Astarion, culminating in one of the game's most charismatic and intriguing companions. His dialogue delivery was essential to creating a rich and engaging storyline, allowing players to connect with one of the RPG's deepest and most complex characters - for his work as Astarion, the actor won Best Performance at The Game Awards 2023 and Best Supporting Performance at the Golden Joystic Awards.

Astarion (Baldur’s Gate 3)

Neil Newbon’s performance as Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 was acclaimed by both critics and gamers. Playing an elven vampire with a dark past and a charismatic yet cynical personality, Newbon managed to infuse the character with a unique depth, making him one of the most memorable companions in the game.

His performance captured the duality of Astarion - a complex character full of nuance, drama and internal conflict - balancing his seductive charm with moments of genuine vulnerability coming from a conflicted individual. His ability to convey subtle emotions through voice and motion capture helped create this bond between the player and the character, making Astarion a crucial element of the journey and bringing in a new legion of fans of the character from the Dungeons & Dragons franchise.

The chemistry between Astarion and the other protagonists in the game highlights the dynamics of the cast and the care that Larian Studios took in bringing a plot rich in detail and immersion - where the performance of Neil and the other voice actors was essential to solidify Baldur's Gate 3 as a reference in the RPG genre for years to come.

And if you need a good example of why he was awarded awards for his performance as Astarion, just check out this video from the Balloon channel with the character's reaction when the player revives him after accidentally killing him.

Karl Heisenberg (Resident Evil Village)

Newbon delivered a remarkable performance as Karl Heisenberg in Resident Evil Village, solidifying his role as one of the series' most notable antagonists. Heisenberg is a character who combines charisma, sarcasm, and a menacing aura. The performance masterfully captures this complexity, bringing to life a villain who goes beyond the common stereotypes.

Heisenberg is not just a villain; he represents the internal conflicts and power dynamics between the characters. His playful yet sinister tone helps create palpable tension whenever he is on-screen. This duality keeps players on the edge of their seats, unsure whether they can trust his words or expect imminent betrayal.

Neil's ability to balance these elements intensifies the game's dark and oppressive atmosphere, making Heisenberg not just an obstacle to overcome, but an essential element in Resident Evil Village's overall storytelling.

Nicholai Ginovaef (Resident Evil 3)

In the remake of Resident Evil 3, released in 2020, Neil brought to life the antagonist Nicholai Ginovaef, bringing a new facet to the infamous Umbrella Corporation mercenary. Nicholai is portrayed as a ruthless soldier whose coldness and calculation add tension to the game's already suffocating atmosphere.

Newbon's performance lends a menacing and enigmatic presence, making every appearance of Nicholai feel like a frightening feeling. His firm voice and subtle facial expressions reveal a man driven by self-interest, indifferent to the surrounding chaos. This performance contributed to a deeper narrative in Resident Evil 3 than that presented in the original title, and added to the franchise's world-building.

Elijah Kamski and Gavin Reed (Detroit: Become Human)

In Detroit: Become Human, Newbon demonstrates his versatility by playing two characters crucial to the plot: Elijah Kamski and Gavin Reed. Both roles are fundamental to the exploration of the game's central themes, such as artificial intelligence, ethics, and the complexities of human-android interactions.

Elijah Kamski founded CyberLife, the company responsible for creating the advanced androids that permeate the game's society. Newbon's performance gives Kamski an enigmatic and introspective aura, reflecting the moral ambiguity the character represents. His calm, measured tone evokes a sense of intrigue and pondering the true intentions behind his creations. Kamski's characterization raises ethical questions about creation and responsibility, encouraging players to reflect on the impact of technology on humanity.

On the other hand, Gavin Reed is a human detective with an explosive personality and openly hostile to the androids. Newbon delivers a compelling performance that captures the frustration and prejudice present in a changing society. Through tense interactions with the android protagonist, Connor, Reed embodies human resilience in the face of technological advancement and loss of control. His performance adds a sense of urgency and conflict to the narrative, highlighting the social and emotional challenges faced by both humans and androids.

Zeon (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)

In Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the actor takes on the role of Zeon, a dedicated warrior of Keves, known for his unwavering loyalty and sense of duty. His performance gives him a strong presence in interactions with the protagonists.

His voice conveys the determination of a leader and the inner doubts of someone who questions the purpose of the conflict. This duality adds complexity to the character, making players engage not only with the main story, but also with the personal narratives that enrich the world of Aionios.

Nyx Ulric (Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV) - Motion Capture

Neil Newbon was the actor responsible for the motion capture of the character Nyx Ulric in the film Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV. While Aaron Paul provided the English voice for Nyx Ulric, Neil brought the character to life through his physical performance. His performance in motion capture was essential to convey the nuances, facial expressions and striking presence of the protagonist in the film.

His work on Kingsglaive highlights his ability to combine traditional acting with advanced motion capture technologies, and demonstrates the importance of specialized actors in bringing authenticity to digital characters in the gaming universe.

Neil Newbon has received formal recognition for his performances in the gaming universe, especially for the role of Astarion, from Baldur's Gate 3. In 2023, he was honored with awards at The Game Awards and the Golden Joystick Awards.

The actor won the award for Best Performance at The Game Awards in 2023, a category in which he competed with other renowned actors and voice actors such as Idris Elba (Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty) and Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI).

At The Golden Joystick Awards, Newbon received the award for Best Supporting Role.

Neil has also been nominated for awards at the New York Game Awards, the British Academy Games Awards and the D.I.C.E. Awards.

His achievements also highlight the growing appreciation for voice actors and motion capture in the video game industry. His portrayal of Astarion has been widely praised, and his awards at The Game Awards and the Golden Joystick are testaments to the impact of his work, helping to emphasize the importance of acting professionals in game development.

Newbon's success helps pave the way for more actors to be recognized for their contributions to the digital world. This encourages developers and studios to invest even more in the quality of performances, understanding that well-acted characters are essential for immersion and emotional connection with players - consequently, these awards also have a positive effect on the appreciation of the profession, inspiring actors to explore opportunities in the gaming universe.

Neil Newbon plays an important role in the evolution of acting in electronic games, helping to bring the level of acting in games closer to that of film and theater productions, which, in terms of graphics, already resemble cinema in many aspects.

With his solid background in dramatic arts, he brings depth and authenticity to the characters he plays, enriching the narrative of his titles and the emotional experience of the players. His work has also influenced the recognition of voice and motion actors as essential parts of game development, highlighting that collaboration between actors, directors, and developers is crucial to achieving high-quality results.

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