As one of the biggest up-and-coming stars in the voice acting field as of late, Jennifer English has packed some incredible roles into her relatively short (so far) professional career. You may know her best as Shadowheart from Baldur’s Gate 3, but that admittedly fantastic performance is just one of many knockouts.
English’s trademark breathy tone is immediately recognizable wherever she goes. But you might be surprised by her range when it comes to the various characters she’s played and will continue to play in the future.
7Willa
Augmented Empire
Even if you had no idea English was in this game, you’d immediately pick out her voice once you heard Willa speak.This VR gametasks you with coordinating a ragtag crew in a cyberpunk noir-type setting, controlling it like you’re sitting at a super-advanced war table in your own home.
Willa is effectively the game’s protagonist, a young woman abruptly severed from her former upper-class life and thrust into the city’s seedy underbelly. English portrays her expertly, with plenty of naivete but still maintaining her own touch of savvy that grows as she navigates the criminal underworld.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
WHERE TO PLAY
A sequel to the hit party-based RPG from Larian Studios, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is set in the world of Rivellon. Here, you are a Sourcerer, who must take on the savage Divine Order.
In Divinity: Original Sin 2, Larian’s biggest game before Baldur’s Gate 3, your playable characters all start out as prisoners, shackled and suppressed of their innate magical abilities (known as Source). During the game’s first act, you must find a way to have your party’s Source collars removed, allowing you to reach your full potential, and that’s where English comes in. She voices Leya, a member of the Seekers who work to protect the powerful Godwoken.
Seeing that your character most likely wishes to become Godwoken, you’ll cross paths eventually. The Seekers have had a rough go of it, experiencing horrific violence at the hands of the Magisters. Leya is traumatized by this, but can be soothed enough to help you remove your Source collars. English portrays Leya’s fear and pain almost tragically well, and despite being relatively minor in the game, she definitely leaves an impression.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie sees you playing as Polly, a woman returning to her hometown to discover she has a connection to the Aspirations of Humanity itself, including Glory, Bliss, Power, Chaos, Bond, and Truth. These Aspirations are personified by actual characters, and one of the first you encounter is Bliss.
Bliss is described by developer Don’t Nod as “the incarnation of carefree happiness” and English’s performance brings that across beautifully. She puts on a slightly different accent than many fans might expect as well, but you’re able to definitely still tell it’s her. Oh, the curse of an instantly memorable voice.
Latenna is one of the many NPCs you can encounter in Elden Ring, and also one of many who can lend you their strength in battle. One of theartificial life forms known as Albinaurics, she’s lived a rather unpleasant life of prejudice and just general hardship, but what else is new in Elden Ring?
English brings a palpable weariness to her performance as Latenna, really helping you feel the heavy burdens she’s endured. She’s decidedly less talkative as a Spirit Ash Summon, but when you do bring her out, attempt to do so near a wolf. Seriously, you won’t be disappointed.
Baldur’s Gate 3 fans were immediately delighted when ambitious RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 revealed a familiar voice for one of its main characters. English plays the young Expedition member Maelle, seeking to find her place in the world alongside her foster brother Gustave.
Despite effortlessly embodying plenty of adult characters, English’s well-known voice is uniquely suited for the shy yet curious teen Maelle. If this is your first time hearing her, you may well assume the role was made with her in mind.
The gaming world is positively engorged with free-to-play gacha RPGs these days, and the sci-fi action title Wuthering Waves remains among the more popular picks. Among the near countless playable characters, or Resonators, you can obtain isthe innately refined Carlotta.
Carlotta emits an air of nobility, sometimes to a fault. She’s quite sure of herself, and English’s posh and confident performance brings that across effortlessly. As a Five-star Resonator, she’s one that you’ll probably want in your roster. Luckily, English’s vocal talents make having her around a delight, even beyond her impressive DPS.
Easily English’s breakout role, Shadowheart clearly made an impression on players of Baldur’s Gate 3, even among the similarly beloved characters that comprise the rest of the game’s main cast. As a devotee of Shar who’s a real big fan of darkness, you’d expect some brooding corner dweller. But Shadowheart is very much not that, even being your only party member who regularly pets the dog Scratch nearly every morning. The best part of waking up.
It’s English’s flawless performance that brings Shadowheart’s nuanced story alive. With the drive of a demon and the voice of an angel, it’s no wonder fans were enamored by her from the start. That’s not to mention the widely differing paths her character arc can go, and English brings the perfect energy for all of it.
