If you’ve been keeping close tabs on the video game industry over the last few years, then there’s a good chance that you’ve heard the voice of Devora Wilde.
Devora Wilde has played roles in some huge video games, including Lae’Zel in Baldur’s Gate 3, Galbrena in Wuthering Waves, and Clea in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, to name a few.
Before we proceed to my chat with Devora, when I was researching for my questions, I noticed that she had played a role in 2023’s Silent Hill 2 remake. For the life of me, I couldn't find any information about the character she played. That was until I asked her directly at MCM Birmingham Comic Con.
A Silent Hill 2 Secret Revealed
In the remake, there’s a scene with Pyramid Head chasing James Sunderland and Maria in a narrow hallway as they frantically try to get in an elevator in the hope of not being skewered. Well, Devora played Maria in this single scene.
Devora explains that at the time of filming motion capture for that scene, the actress who played Mary and Maria, Salóme Gunnarsdóttir, was advised not to run due to being heavily pregnant. That’s when Devora was called in. So, if you see Devora’s name in the Silent Hill 2 remake credits with no mention of her role, now you know.
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Burning Silent Hill 2 questions aside, it’s fair to say that it’s been a great few years for Devora, having landed many roles in games that have made a huge impact on the industry and its fandom.
“It’s pretty unbelievable. I didn't know much about video games before I started working in them,” Devora recalls. “It was a very unknown world to me; I didn't know how big the industry was. I didn't know how many fans there were. And it's opened my eyes to this whole new world and its community that I never knew about. It’s incredible.”
The Impact of Baldur’s Gate 3
When Baldur’s Gate 3 came out of early access in August 2023, it had taken the video game industry by storm, and its impact is still going strong today. While hopes would have been high, I would assume that even those close to the project pre-release couldn't have truly predicted the phenomenal success the game would become.
“During the production of Baldur’s Gate 3, I had no idea how popular it and its characters would be, and a lot of fans adored my character, Lae’Zel. I didn't even know what the game was when we started recording for it.
“It had a codename for about a year, which is very common in video games. When I asked what the game was, I was told not to tell anyone, but it was Baldur’s Gate 3. I think they were expecting a reaction from me, but at the time, I wasn't familiar with Dungeons & Dragons, the inspiration of the game,” she explains.
“Baldur's Gate 3 released as an early access in 2021, and it got some attention online, but it wasn't anything absurd. Then its full launch happened a couple of years later, and then things started to go a bit wild.
“It took a while for people to play through the game because it's so big and has many outcomes, but eventually, we started getting all the aftereffects of its launch. People started with one character, finished it, and then played with another. Then you have people who have only just played it for the first time.”
Lae’Zel, Devora’s character in Baldur’s Gate 3, is about as tough as they come, physically and mentally. She’s very thick-skinned, and her guard is always up. For this reason, she can be easily misunderstood, but underneath, she is a character who wants to feel love and show love.
“A lot of people say that Lae’Zel is mean, so they just left her in a cage or let her die. I don’t think people realise that she’s the youngest in the group. To her, what’s happened in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the worst thing that could have happened to her.
“She’s on this journey of discovery, and she has a huge redemption arc. Her world has been turned upside down by the Mind Flayer parasite (tadpole). She’s one of the best characters I’ve ever played. If not, the best character I’ve ever played,” Devora says with a smile.
“It’s always hard to pick a favourite character to play, but Lae’Zel is so well written, the person that she is at the beginning of the game is not who she is at the end, and she really goes through it. As an actor, it’s incredible to play a character like that. Players get to experience that journey with her. I think at first, players may not have liked her, but I think she’s a favourite of many, and that’s amazing."
Lae’Zel is a character that Devora is obviously very fond of, and that’s understandable, because she’s fantastic. So, could Lae’Zel be a character that Devora would be open to playing again?
“I don’t speak for others, but I feel like all of us involved with Baldur’s Gate 3 would love to revisit these characters,” says Devora. As it happens, when I spoke to Neil Newbon, he expressed his desire to play Astarion again, another very popular character in the game.
“We spent so much time playing these characters before the launch of Baldur’s Gate 3. We know them so well, but there’s so much more to learn, like what happened to Lae’Zel before we got to meet her in the game. She has such a different life from the other characters, especially coming from an alien world; to visit that would be amazing. I honestly don’t have any answers or what’s going to happen, but I’d love us all to revisit these characters one day.”
Devora Reflects on Life and What Brings Her Joy
“I feel very lucky to be where I am as an actor. I didn't ever think I'd be in this position. Sometimes I have to take a step back to truly appreciate how incredible it's all been. Having these amazing opportunities to play these characters, to meet fans who tell me how these characters have impacted their lives. It’s incredible hearing all those stories.
“People have told me how some of my characters have helped them through some super difficult, dark times. I never saw my role as that when I was recording for these games. I had a lady queue up to tell me how Baldur’s Gate 3 just helped her get through a really tough week, and made her feel better. Knowing that these games have helped people get through grief is amazing to me; that’s been a massive highlight.
“Baldur’s Gate 3 feels like having friends around you, and I feel that’s one of the reasons so many have connected with this game. Players have spent so many hours with these characters, getting to know them, they feel like friends, and I think that’s brilliant.”
Topics: Baldur's Gate 3, Features, Interview, PC, PlayStation, Xbox