The Warrior Behind Lae’zel – Devora Wilde on Baldur’s Gate 3, Polarising Player Reactions and Unexpected Fame
What does it take to give a video game character a soul—and what happens when that performance touches hearts around the world?In this premiere episode of ReadyAimFire, we sit down with Devora Wilde, the actor behind Lae’zel in the award-winning Baldur’s Gate 3, for an in-depth conversation into her craft and her most-beloved character. From muddling through technical challenges to discovering her own voice, Devora opens up about the wild, unpredictable, and deeply human ride of bringing one of gaming’s most complex companions to life.Discover how four and a half years behind the mic—and a self-tape filmed in a living room—led to one of gaming’s most polarising, unforgettable heroines.Hear the true impact of storytelling as Devora shares how fans’ lives have been changed, sometimes “more than years of therapy,” by the journey of her character.Get an unfiltered look at performance capture, improvisation, and collaborating through unexpected personal moments (including recording days before giving birth!)."Sometimes I feel like I just went in and said the words… and then to have people so passionate about these characters—it’s kind of blown my mind." — Devora WildeSettle in and hit play. This is The ReadyAimFire Podcast, bringing you the stories behind your favourite games, from the people who make them.🧭 Key Points & Timestamps:00:00:22 – Guest reactions: Not knowing about nudity filters00:02:30 – Explaining Baldur’s Gate 3 in one sentence00:03:32 – How Lae’zel is misunderstood—Devora’s emotional lens00:04:57 – Polarised player reactions to Lae’zel00:08:10 – Four and a half years of performance capture00:11:20 – Surprise: Voice actors for talking cats00:16:43 – Finding fulfilment in games vs. TV/film00:17:22 – Gaming’s “golden age” and the power of writing00:18:43 – Advice for actors breaking into games00:21:24 – How romance scenes were actually performed00:25:01 – Recording mocap for Baldur’s Gate 3 while pregnant00:28:36 – Flexibility: Balancing TV, pregnancy, and game work00:30:40 – Collaborating with writers—character evolving with performance00:32:09 – Voice transformation: Lae’zel’s vocal journey00:38:19 – Most unusual convention fan moments00:49:10 – Players tell Devora: “Lae’zel helped more than years of therapy”👤 Guest: Devora WildeDevora Wilde is an actor celebrated for her powerful and nuanced performances. She is best known to gamers as the voice and performance actor behind Lae’zel in Baldur’s Gate 3, delivering a bold, layered portrayal that helped shape one of the game’s most iconic characters. Beyond BG3, her work includes appearances in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom LIberty, Split Fiction and Dragon’s Dogma II, as well as a diverse range of TV and film roles.A passionate advocate for the craft of acting in games, Devora brings physicality, emotional depth, and fierce authenticity to every role. She continues to inspire players and performers alike by pushing the boundaries of storytelling in interactive media.🌐 Website (https://www.devorawilde.com) 📸 Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/devora_wilde)🔗 Resources & Mentions:Baldur's Gate 3Dungeons & Dragons
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