A Fiery Legacy: Samantha Béart Reflects on Two Years as Karlach in ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’

Two years after the global phenomenon that is Baldur’s Gate 3 took the gaming world by storm, the voice and motion capture actor behind the fan-favorite character Karlach, Samantha Béart, has been reflecting on the role that changed their career. In a series of recent interviews, Béart has offered new insights into their performance, the character’s deeper themes, and their unique journey to becoming the fiery Tiefling barbarian.

Béart’s portrayal of Karlach is widely celebrated for its a blend of unbridled optimism and underlying tragedy. Karlach, a former soldier in the hells of Avernus, is a character shaped by immense suffering, yet she chooses to embrace life with a fierce and joyful spirit. According to Béart, this duality was a deliberate choice. They believe that Karlach’s bubbly personality is, in fact, a “trauma response,” a conscious decision to be a better person than the one she had to become to survive ten years in a brutal, interplanar prison. Béart imagined that Karlach “was a piece of work in hell” and that her journey in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a redemption arc.

This perspective adds a new layer of depth to the character, moving beyond the surface-level “hothead with a heart of gold” stereotype. Béart noted that even in the most lighthearted moments of the game, they performed with that underlying pain in mind, which is likely a key reason why the performance resonates so deeply with players.

The Tragic Ending and a Connection with the Community

One of the most talked-about aspects of Karlach’s story is her tragic ending, where the player cannot “fix” her infernal engine, which is a ticking time bomb. This has led to a major fan outcry for a different, happier ending. However, Béart defends the original narrative choice as intentional and meaningful. They believe that a magic-spell solution would be a “cheap trick” that would undermine the character’s journey.

In a powerful revelation, Béart shared that they have met people with chronic and terminal illnesses who have found “comfort” in Karlach’s story. This real-world connection highlights the profound impact of the game’s narrative and reinforces the artistic integrity of the original ending. Béart also views Karlach’s ending as fitting for her character, a “Viking” who would want to go out in a blaze of glory rather than live a long, mundane life.

The actor also took a hands-on approach to their role, advocating for a more authentic representation of the “sapphic experience” and working with animators and writers to ensure Karlach’s character felt true to life. This dedication to their role is evident in every line of dialogue, which even included a minor change from “Woo-hoo!” to the more British “Wahey!” to better fit their own natural delivery.

From IT Consultant to Gordon Ramsay’s Stage

Béart’s journey to becoming Karlach was anything but ordinary. They had a day job as an IT consultant during the long recording process, which spanned over 65 sessions—far more than the originally promised 10. The role came after they had initially been turned down for more minor roles in the game, such as “Goblin 49,” before a Larian developer noticed their work in another indie game and offered them the chance to audition for a larger part.

Béart’s classical, theatrical training at the prestigious Guildhall school prepared them for the demanding motion capture work, which they liken to “theater skills in a black box.” Their professional training gave them the ability to work quickly and in the moment, a skill that proved essential for a role that required such intense emotional depth and physicality. This unique blend of skills and their relentless passion for the character led them to one of the most celebrated voice acting roles in recent gaming history. The actor’s recent reflections on their career highlight the incredible opportunities that can arise from dedication and a willingness to seize a moment, even if it means sliding into a developer’s DMs.