When Elder Scrolls Online players dived into the High Isle expansion this past week, among the many new delights was the addition of Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings) as one of the principle voice actors. Is it surreal to hear Middle-earth’s Pippin in Tamriel? Perhaps, but it’s not an unusual occurrence to hear a big-name voice actor in the game.
Much like Star Wars: The Old Republic, ESO is replete with some very recognizable voice actors — although you might not have noticed if someone didn’t explicitly point them out to you. And that is my mission today: to list several interesting cast members who help to bring this virtual world alive.
Kate Beckinsale
The star of the Underworld series may be known for her romantic and action roles, but Beckinsale showed a regal side when she voiced Queen Ayrenn in the base game and Morrowind expansion.
Bill Nighy
Nighy is one of those “you know, THAT guy” who seems to pop up in almost every British movie as well as several major blockbusters (Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean). His rich voice helped to give gravitas to ESO’s High King Emeric. This isn’t his only online video game, either, as Nighy has been involved with Destiny, Destiny 2, and Disney Infinity.
John Cleese
The Monty Python star needs no introduction, nor does his beloved Elder Scrolls Online’s mad Sir Cadwell. It’s hard to imagine anyone other than the James Bond actor filling the shoes of the off-his-rocker prophet.
Lynda Carter
Yes indeed, the O.G. Wonder Woman lassoed in a performance as Azura, the Daedric Prince of Dawn and Dusk. What most players didn’t see was her invisible jet parked just off-screen.
Peter Stormare
The Fargo and Armageddon star — shout out to the ’90s here! — is the perfect fit for Jorunn the Skald-King, especially since his Swedish accent fits so well with the Nord role.
Alfred Molina
The Raiders of the Lost Ark star saw a resurgence in popularity thanks to his recent de-aged appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home as Doc Ock. But ESO players may have heard him as the 164-year-old Abnur Tharn.
Michael Gambon
Hey, you got your Dumbledore in our Tamriel! Michael Gambon takes on the Prophet with his dulcet tones, and what a treat it is. Now, if only he can yell at Harry some more.
Malcom McDowell
Hey, you’ve got a big bad Daedric Prince in your video game and you need a voice to really sell the menace. You absolutely can’t go wrong with Clockwork Orange’s McDowell, who’s inhabited as many (if not more) villain roles than heroes over the years.
Kari Wahlgren
Name a cartoon or a video game, and chances are pretty dang good that Wahlgren was in it. MMO players know her from Guild Wars 2, SWTOR, and World of Warcraft, although ESO players have heard her singing as a Nordic Bard or by talking with Crafty Lerisa.
Tara Strong, Jannifer Hale, Elizabeth Daily, and Nolan North
Well, duh, it’s a video game with a decent budget, so why wouldn’t these four voice actor superstars be tapped for the project? Daily deftly handles Morrowind’s Sun-in-Shadow, Strong plays a number of various small characters such as Mirabelle Motierre, Hale is instantly recognizable as Lyris Titanborn, and North took on the part of Ritemaster Iachesis.
Traverse the troubled land of Tamriel in the Elder Scrolls Online! Larry Everett and Ben Griggs will be your guides here in Tamriel Infinium on Wednesdays as we explore together the world created by ZeniMax and Bethesda in one of the biggest MMOs in the genre. Larry and Ben welcome questions and topic ideas!
