Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Astarion actor says there won't be another game like Baldur's Gate 3 "either ever, or for a very, very, very long time"
Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs The thing I wanted more of from Baldur's Gate 3 companions is also something Larian wants to improve on in Divinity
Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs Replacing actors with AI is "dumb as hell," says Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Baldur's Gate 3 star Jennifer English
Karlach uses her fire powers to light a cigar in Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs My biggest mistake in Divinity Original Sin 2 was treating it like Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs 41 hours into Divinity Original Sin 2, I wish I'd broken a golden RPG rule
A Spectator Eye monster in Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate In a post-Baldur's Gate 3 world, I need Larian to hold tight to the D&D chaos that makes Hail Mary moments so satisfying
Baldur's Gate 3 Wyll
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 writer admits "I wish I could have done more" with the RPG's least-appreciated party member
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Withers, a mummified corpse-like man with gray features and golden adornments
Baldur's Gate I have over 800 hours in Baldur's Gate 3 – here's the only way I see HBO's TV show working
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Astarion, a pale male elf with short curly white hair and red eyes, looking over his shoulder with a smirk on his face
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor says "there's no f*cking way AI could make" anything like the hit RPG: "It's too human"
Baldur's Gate 3 Drunken Master Monk in the House of Hope screenshot
RPGs Baldur's Gate 3 reveals Larian's commitment to perfecting its RPG recipe
Divinity
RPGs Baldur's Gate 3 character creator fans rejoice, Larian's next RPG Divinity will have an "even better" character creator
A close up of Laezel in the Baldur's Gate 3 evil ending for the character
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 had so "many people involved," with one dev being "a big JRPG fan" but the CEO being "an Ultima guy"
Key art for Solasta 2.
RPGs "We're 2 different beasts": Studio behind CRPG Solasta 2 bought their team copies of Baldur's Gate 3 and they "love" it
Wyll in Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Larian writer laments Wyll, Baldur's Gate 3's unlucky Warlock, who played a much bigger role in stories that got cut
Divinity
RPGs Divinity: Original Sin 2 star is excited about that "delicious" Divinity trailer, though Larian hasn't invited her back "yet"
  1. Games
  2. RPGs
  3. Baldur's Gate
  4. Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 Shadowheart actor says she "would respec" the Trickery Domain Cleric companion while playing the RPG "personally," as she just "ain't that"

News
By Anna Koselke published 15 August 2025

Jennifer English shares her "hot take"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing companion Shadowheart, a young half-elf woman with long tied-back black hair
(Image credit: Larian Studios)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
5
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor Jennifer English wouldn't opt to play Larian Studios' Dungeons & Dragons RPG as is – she says she'd rather respec Shadowheart, her own character.

English, who plays Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3, reveals as much in a new video from Fall Damage on YouTube. While competing in a "Shadowheart quiz" alongside her partner and performance director Aliona Baranova, she correctly responds to a question regarding the race, class, and subclass of Shadowheart. As English recalls, Shadowheart is canonically a half-elf Trickery Domain Cleric – but that's not how the actor prefers her.

She'd rather swap the companion's subclass. "In my head," explains English, "trickery should be like Puck from Midsummer Night's Dream, and she ain't that." She continues, revealing that she doesn't personally understand Shadowheart's "canon" class: "I don't really get it, but I would respec her personally. Hot take."

You may like
  • Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor says there won't be another game like Baldur's Gate 3 "either ever, or for a very, very, very long time"
  • Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3 The thing I wanted more of from Baldur's Gate 3 companions is also something Larian wants to improve on in Divinity
  • Baldur's Gate 3 Replacing actors with AI is "dumb as hell," says Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Baldur's Gate 3 star Jennifer English

A hot take indeed – although it isn't actually one that most players would disagree with themselves.

Shadowheart's Actor and Director Take a Shadowheart Quiz - YouTube Shadowheart's Actor and Director Take a Shadowheart Quiz - YouTube
Watch On

As Larian Studios revealed earlier this month, Shadowheart is the most respecced Baldur's Gate 3 companion – and it's not even close in number. A whopping 4,890,005 campaigns saw the Cleric's subclass changed, while the second most respecced character – Wyll – was only swapped 1,417,506 times in comparison. It's an unsurprising figure if you ask me (and English, apparently), as Shadowheart just makes more sense as a Life or Death Cleric.

It's always affirming to hear that a genuine member of the cast agrees with you, though, and at least four million other players, give or take. The sheer amount of Shadowheart respecs also potentially points to something else: the Cleric's popularity among all the Baldur's Gate 3 companions. It makes sense, I suppose… After all, she is "God's favorite princess" – and there can only be one (sorry, Karlach and Lae'zel).

Baldur's Gate 3 actor Neil Newbon has turned down "Astarion-like" roles because he "wouldn't necessarily enjoy" them, but he "would love to play" the iconic vampire again

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Xbox Series X PS5 Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Anna Koselke
Anna Koselke
Social Links Navigation
Staff Writer

After spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Astarion actor says there won't be another game like Baldur's Gate 3 "either ever, or for a very, very, very long time"
 
 
Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs The thing I wanted more of from Baldur's Gate 3 companions is also something Larian wants to improve on in Divinity
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs Replacing actors with AI is "dumb as hell," says Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Baldur's Gate 3 star Jennifer English
 
 
Karlach uses her fire powers to light a cigar in Baldur's Gate 3
RPGs My biggest mistake in Divinity Original Sin 2 was treating it like Baldur's Gate 3
 
 
RPGs 41 hours into Divinity Original Sin 2, I wish I'd broken a golden RPG rule
 
 
A Spectator Eye monster in Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate In a post-Baldur's Gate 3 world, I need Larian to hold tight to the D&D chaos that makes Hail Mary moments so satisfying
 
 
Latest in Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate 3 Wyll
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 writer admits "I wish I could have done more" with the RPG's least-appreciated party member
 
 
Shadowheart stands defensively against aggressive rats in a cluttered room with wooden floors and beams
Baldur's Gate A "simple test" of Baldur's Gate 3's modding tools has "snowballed" into a full-blown remake of the first Baldur's Gate
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Astarion, a pale male elf with short curly white hair and red eyes, looking over his shoulder with a smirk on his face
Baldur's Gate As Baldur's Gate 3 devs decide what to do next with Divinity, the RPG's publishing lead celebrates rise in players
 
 
Baldur's Gate insignia showing the symbol of Bhaal, a skull surrounded by a ring of tear drops
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 set for a new update "nearly 15 years after the Enhanced Editions" launched
 
 
Astarian looking pensive with his hand resting on his chin in Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 somehow delays Grok update on Twitter, and Larian feels the same way about that as you
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 marketing lead hands Sony some advice after multiplayer fails: "Every experience is a shared experience"
 
 
Latest in News
A Malediction two-player box set alongside a gold and black press pack, statue-esque figure, hat, and more on a wooden table
Tabletop Gaming This is one of the most exciting new wargames right now, but you've probably never heard of it
 
 
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage
RPGs Clair Obscur's lead writer "never even considered" a true, happy ending for the hit RPG
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 Wyll
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 writer admits "I wish I could have done more" with the RPG's least-appreciated party member
 
 
Macduff running from a monster during the upcoming PS5 game, Crimson Desert.
Open World Games Crimson Desert PR head insists the weird controls are "like riding a bike"
 
 
The Wheel of Time
Fantasy Shows The Wheel of Time is returning as a series of animated movies and shows, and a video game
 
 
The Wasteland's Lone Wanderer walks into the distance with Dogmeat in Fallout 3
Fallout Fallout 3's GOTY Edition was a bit of a misfire, says Bethesda vet, but "we've gotten better" ahead of the Starfield DLC
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead Gustave faces a gommage
    1
    Clair Obscur's lead writer "never even considered" a true, happy ending for the hit RPG
  2. 2
    This is one of the most exciting new wargames right now, but you've probably never heard of it
  3. 3
    Turns out DLSS 5 really is just a filter over 2D images, as Nvidia employee reveals more
  4. 4
    The Wheel of Time is returning as a series of animated movies and shows, and a video game
  5. 5
    A revised model Nintendo Switch 2 with a replaceable battery might be on the cards

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...