'I Don't Want to Repeat That' - Baldur's Gate 3's Astarion Actor Seeks New Challenges Beyond Similar Roles

Neil Newbon's portrayal of Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3 stands out as one of the game's most unforgettable performances, which is no small feat given the stellar cast. While Newbon takes pride in his work as Astarion, he's not keen on revisiting that type of role repeatedly, drawing inspiration from David Bowie's philosophy.

In a conversation with FRVR, Newbon discussed how Bowie and Iggy Pop influenced him from a young age. "There's definitely a Bowie rhythm in me. I'd love to portray him in Labyrinth or star in a biopic," he remarked, noting he'd "definitely play Jareth in Labyrinth if offered the chance."

He emphasized a key lesson from Bowie: "repetition breeds stagnation," advocating for actors to push their boundaries to evolve artistically. "I always admired how he constantly experimented with new ideas," Newbon added. "Some succeeded, others didn't."

Newbon revealed that he's turned down roles pitched as "just like Astarion," explaining, "I've avoided a few projects recently not because they were poor, but because they wanted the Astarion vibe. I don't really want to do that again—it's too similar to what I've already done, and I doubt I could bring anything fresh to such a character."

Instead, he's embraced diverse parts, such as the sapient, dateable drying machine Drysdale in Date Everything!, the umbrella-wielding Lumacchio in the Lies of P DLC, and protagonist Chase Lowry in Dead Take.

However, Newbon expressed openness to returning as Astarion himself. This possibility gained traction last month when HBO announced a Baldur's Gate 3 TV series, continuing the story from the IGN 10/10-rated game. Craig Manzin, known for The Last of Us TV show, is leading the project and has contacted the game's cast to explore character continuations. Whether Newbon will reprise his role remains uncertain, but fans can certainly hope.