Resident Evil Requiem Confirms Leon Kennedy as Second Protagonist in New Trailer

“You there, Leon?”

“Yeah.”

We now have official confirmation that Leon Kennedy himself will be making his return to the Resident Evil franchise with Resident Evil Requiem and it even seems as though we will get to play as him during certain scenes.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Combining the fate of two unique characters, Grace and Leon, each gameplay segment will offer a unique style of play with Grace uncovering mysteries whilst leaning more into survival whilst Leon offers non-stop action and combat.

As one of the most iconic characters in video game history, Leon Kennedy was the protagonist of Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise in Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, and Resident Evil 6.

More recently, he starred in the highly acclaimed Resident Evil 4 remake but this marks the first time since that he appears, albeit looking a bit older, as a playable character.

In the brand-new trailer shown at The Game Awards 2025, Leon can be seen looking a whole lot older (but even more handsome) as he teams up with brand-new protagonist Grace to uncover the mysteries in a “heart-stopping experience that will chill you to your core”.

Of course, Leon’s return, much like many elements of The Game Awards 2025, was already leaked prior to the event but this is the first time that we have seen him and his new design in action and the wait was definitely worth it.

If you are unfamiliar with Resident Evil Requiem, it is the ninth main instalment in the Resident Evil franchise and will follow FBI agent Grace Ashcroft who is sent to investigate a series of mysterious deaths at a hotel.

It Has Been a Whirlwind

First announced back in June, players got to see their first look at a teaser trailer which showed the return of Racoon City and it now seems like Leon will be the next major return. Who else will rear their head? It remains to be seen.

For now, here is the official synopsis for Resident Evil Requiem: "Everything is set in motion when a body—the victim of an unidentifiable disease—is discovered in an abandoned hotel.

“FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft is assigned to the case. But the crime scene is at the very same hotel where her mother died eight years ago.

“Grace prepares to finally face the past and makes her way to the scene, but this one case leads to uncovering the hidden truth behind the outbreak in Raccoon City, the biological disaster that shook the world.

“Will this be the requiem that finally lays the memories of that abhorrent disaster to rest?"

Resident Evil Requiem launches on 27 February 2026.