Splinter Cell: Deathwatch creator responds to fan uncertainty over Michael Ironside's Sam Fisher replacement: "Give him a chance, because he made me a believer"

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Liev Schreiber is taking over the goggles for Splinter Cell: Deathwatch

Sam Fisher (Liev Schreiber) wearing his iconic green night vision goggles in Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
(Image credit: Netflix)

Splinter Cell: Deathwatch creator Derek Kolstad has reassured fans who are on the fence with the animated Netflix series over the decision to replace Sam Fisher's iconic voice actor Michael Ironside with Ray Donovan's Liev Schreiber.

"I would also like to say, I fucking love Michael Ironside. I gave him a big bear hug on the set of Nobody and said as much," Kolstad began when GamesRadar+ asked him about the mixed fan reaction to Michael Ironside not returning for Deathwatch, despite portraying Sam Fisher in five mainline Splinter Cell titles.

"More importantly, the best voice actors – the best actors – are saying stuff without saying stuff," Kolstad said. "It's the moment of silent response with the bookended narrative [where] he just shines. He embraced the character and made him his own. What I would say to the hardcore fans, man, is give him a chance, because he made me a believer."

Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

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