Neil Newbonhas played a variety of roles over the course of his career, particularly in games. While best known for hisaward-winning performance of Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, we’ve also seen him inResident Evil 3andResident Evil Villageas Karl Heisenberg, and Lumacchio inLies of P: Overture.
In an interview withGame Rant, Neil Newbon says that he is well aware that many of the characters he plays are a little “unshackled”, but he never judges them. He says that this is an important approach to take with the more morally dubious characters he plays, which makes a lot of sense, since the characters likely don’t see themselves as villains either.
Neil Newbon Doesn’t Judge The Characters He Plays, And He Doesn’t Use Labels Like Hero And Villain
“I don’t play villains, I don’t play heroes,” Newbon told Game Rant at an event for his latest game, Dead Take. “I don’t play these very specific titles because I think, if you do, you’re already judging your character, and you’re leading to a decision you may not be able to make.”
Newbon is taking this approach with his characters in Dead Take, Chase Lowry. As we’ve already seen in the trailer, Chase definitely has a darker side to him, but Newbon didn’t attach any morality or labels to him when he was recording for the role.
We’ve certainly seen that with how Newbon approached Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, which is likely why this nuanced take on such a layered character resonated with so many players. Here, we really do have a character who isn’t a hero or a villain. Astarion doesn’t even know who he is half the time, or who he is allowed to be when he is both free, but still shackled to his master, Cazador. All of his actions have to be viewed through this lense, so Newbon’s non-judgmental approach sounds like a great fit for the character.
If Dead Take has piqued your interest, then you won’t have to wait much longer. It is coming to PC on 31 July, so in just two days. There’s no word on other platforms just yet, but PC players will be able to nab it on either Steam or the Epic Games Store.
EXT. MANSION - NIGHT"FIND VINNY"
Night falls and he still won’t pick up the phone. You arrive at the mansion: the last place he went. It’s oddly quiet for the site of a glamorous party the night before. Your invite must have gotten lost in the mail. In any case, you make your way inside to find your friend.
Actors have to look out for each other in this industry.
Feed me something real
INT. MANSION - NIGHT"PLAY YOUR PART"
An abandoned film set. A broken home cinema. Searching the mansion and unlocking its secrets requires the fullness of your ingenuity. Pay attention.
INT. HOME CINEMA - NIGHT"A SPLICE OF LIFE"
Your search reveals a number of USB drives and memory cards containing corrupted video files. Some can be spliced together to reveal what really happened within these walls. Try not to lose yourself in your work.
INT. HEART OF HOLLYWOOD - NIGHT"TAKE YOUR SHOT"
The house is watching. It seems to haunt your steps. Piece together what really happened last night as you discover a side of the entertainment industry only discussed in whispers.
The cruelty. The sordid gossip. The auditions gone wrong. The shadowy figure with the power to make or break your career.
There’s only one way to guarantee your success: feed me something real.
