The Ultimate Guide to the Main Cast of Critical Role
Meet the talented cast of Critical Role! Led by Matthew Mercer as the Dungeon Master, this group of actors flawlessly embodies a multitude of captivating characters across three campaigns Discover their incredible performances in Campaigns 1, 2, and 3, where each member shines in their unique roles
Warning! Minor SPOILERS ahead for Critical Role Campaigns 1, 2, and 3!
In Critical Role, all the primary voice actors have portrayed multiple characters throughout the show. Since the show features distinct Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, the actors typically don't reprise their previous roles and instead introduce fresh characters when a new campaign starts. As a result, it can be challenging to keep track of which voice actor plays which character in Critical Role.
3 Critical Role Campaign 1
: Introduction to Critical Role and its CampaignsCritical Role, a popular TTRPG actual-play series, first started live streaming in 2015. This renowned show is currently in the midst of its third campaign, having showcased numerous one-shot adventures and welcomed guest players throughout its run. The majority of the series takes place in the captivating world of Exandria, skillfully crafted by Matthew Mercer, the show's exceptional dungeons master. Over the years, Exandria has flourished and evolved alongside the show's inception.
Each compelling campaign revolves around a core group of adventurers, occasionally accompanied by additional heroic characters. The inaugural campaign, Campaign 1, intimately follows the thrilling exploits of Vox Machina, a memorable band of daring individuals. Meanwhile, Campaign 2 introduces the Mighty Nein, another group of captivating adventurers who embark on their own extraordinary journey. As for Campaign 3, it revolves around the Bells Hells, a new ensemble of heroes ready to conquer the challenges that await them.
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the pivotal characters from each campaign, alongside the talented individuals who portrayed them.
Matthew Mercer Plays The Dungeon Master
In the first campaign that Critical Role live-streamed to the masses, Mercer took on the role of the Dungeon Master. In this capacity, he assumed the responsibility of crafting the game's universe, as well as bringing to life the numerous non-playable characters (NPCs) and adversaries that the party encounters. Throughout Campaign 1, Mercer also performed as the recurring characters Shaun Gilmore, a sorcerer and proprietor of a magical shop, Allura, a formidable human wizard, and Lady Kima, a paladin of halfling descent.
Ashley Johnson Plays Pike Trickfoot
In Critical Role's Campaign 1, Johnson takes on the role of Pike Trickfoot, a gnomish cleric devoted to the Everlight, also known as Sarenrae. From a young age, Pike has always felt the innate desire to heal, and she was raised by her grandfather. Within Vox Machina, she often acts as the heart and advisor. Additionally, Pike is a kind-hearted character who possesses surprising strength and shares a deep bond with Grog, who rescued her grandfather.
Travis Willingham Plays Grog Strongjaw
Willingham embodies the character of Grog Strongjaw, a formidable goliath who possesses the abilities of both a barbarian and a fighter. While Grog may not be the brightest individual, his loyalty and affection for his companions, particularly Pike (and his love for ale), are unwavering. With extraordinary physical strength, Grog serves as Vox Machina's primary defender on Critical Role and found solace with Pike and her grandfather following a brutal attack that left him abandoned by his own tribe.
Laura Bailey Plays Vexhalia “Vex” De Rolo
Bailey takes on the role of Vex in the renowned game series Critical Role; a fascinating blend of elven and human heritage, Vex embodies the essence of a ranger and rogue, and is the twin sister of Vax. Trinket, a bear she valiantly rescued in their youthful days, serves as Vex's loyal animal companion. With a debonair demeanor, Vex showcases her tactical brilliance and assumes the responsibility of managing the party's finances. Furthermore, she skillfully navigates the art of bartering and haggling, always striving to secure the best deals and drive down prices to the group's advantage.
Liam O’Brien Plays Vax’ildan “Vax” Vessar
O'Brien was the most prolific multiclass player in Critical Role Campaign 1. In this campaign, he portrayed Vax, who took on the roles of a rogue, paladin, and druid. Vax, formerly an assassin affiliated with the criminal organization called The Clasp in Emon, exhibits a compelling trait known as fate-touch; an attribute specifically crafted by Mercer for Liam's character, which ultimately leads him to become the champion of the Raven Queen. Vax possesses a dry and occasionally impulsive demeanor, while maintaining a deep bond with his sister. Throughout the campaign, he also builds significant connections with the characters Gilmore and Keyleth.
Taliesin Jaffe Plays Percival “Percy” Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III
Jaffe portrays Percy, a human gunslinger and exiled nobleman, on Critical Role. Serving as the group's strategist, Percy exhibits remarkable intelligence and is credited with inventing Exandria's pioneering firearms. His creation was fuelled by his pursuit of justice, seeking to avenge his family's tragic demise at the hands of corrupt aristocrats. Furthermore, an emotional bond blossoms between Percy and Vex.
Marisha Ray Plays Keyleth Of The Air Ashari
Ray portrays Keyleth, a half-elf druid who, if she successfully completes her Aramenté, is destined to lead the Air Ashari in the future. Although Keyleth can be clumsy and lacks finesse in her speech, she possesses great wisdom and power. Alongside Pike, she often serves as the moral compass for the group. Keyleth shares a close friendship with Percy, and her relationship with Vax evolves into a romantic one throughout Campaign 1 of Critical Role.
Sam Riegel Plays Scanlan Shorthalt and Taryon Darrington
Riegel takes on the roles of two characters on Critical Role instead of just one: Scanlan, a clever and mischievous gnomish bard, and Taryon, a talented human artificer. Throughout Campaign 2, Riegel primarily embodies the character of Scanlan, who is known for his creativity, bawdy behavior, and sharp wit. However, there is a brief period when Taryon steps in to fill the void left by Scanlan as the bard takes a hiatus to prioritize his time with his daughter.
2 Critical Role Campaign 2
Matt Mercer Plays The Dungeon Master
Once again, Mercer returns as the Dungeon Master in Critical Role Campaign 2, overseeing the game and embodying all the other characters encountered by the Mighty Nein within the world. Additionally, he has crafted the continent of Wildemount in Exandria, providing a fresh starting point for the campaign while maintaining the same immersive universe following Vox Machina’s endeavors. Mercer has brought to life several notable NPCs in Campaign 2, including Essek Thelyss, The Gentleman, and Pumat Sol.
Ashley Johnson Plays Yasha Nydoorin
Travis Willingham Plays Fjord Stone
Yasha, a fallen aasimar barbarian, possesses celestial heritage as part angel. Although she experienced a period of uncertainty during Critical Role's second campaign, Yasha remains an essential character in the overarching narrative. Additionally, she assumes the role of the primary physical force within the group, replacing Grog. Yasha's backstory reveals her expulsion from her homeland due to her marriage outside her society's arranged matrimony customs.
In Campaign 2 of Critical Role, Willingham's character undergoes a significant transformation, transitioning from a less intelligent individual to a much more intelligent one. Fjord, a half-orc warlock, possesses a patron hailing from the deep seas. Following a mysterious shipwreck, he gains warlock abilities; however, he initially lacks comprehension about his newfound powers throughout a portion of the campaign. Eventually, he discovers that he unintentionally formed a pact with a leviathan. Later on, Fjord takes on the role of a diplomat within the Mighty Nein after multiclassing into a paladin.
Marisha Ray Plays Beauregard “Beau” Lionett
Ray portrays Beau, a furious monk from the Cobalt Soul. Although initially guarded, she gradually transforms into a devoted companion of the Mighty Nein. Starting her adventure in Campaign 2 of Critical Role, Beau harbors a profound animosity towards those in power, but undergoes a remarkable growth as she tirelessly fights against corruption within the Dwendalian Empire.
Taliesin Jaffe Plays Mollymauk “Molly” Tealeaf and Caduceus Clay
Jaffe takes on the role of Molly, a purple tiefling blood hunter, in Critical Role Campaign 2. Molly's introduction to the party involves him practicing tarot card readings at a circus, with no recollection of his past except for awakening in a grave. Tragically, Molly meets his demise during a battle against the Iron Shepherds. Following this, Jaffe transforms into his next character, Caduceus Clay, a gentle firbolg grave cleric devoted to Melora, the Wildmother. Within the Mighty Nein, Caduceus stands out as the most laid-back and unwavering member, possessing a unique ability to connect with others that his more unpredictable companions sorely lack.
Sam Riegel Plays Nott the Brave
Liam O’Brien Plays Caleb Widogast
Riegel assumes the role of Nott, a cunning goblin arcane rogue, in the second campaign of Critical Role. Nott shares a strong bond with Caleb, taking on a nurturing role towards him after orchestrating his escape from prison. While Nott harbors a disdain for her fellow goblins, her unwavering devotion to Caleb fuels her desire to help him unlock his magical potential. Alongside her kleptomaniac tendencies, she fiercely safeguards Caleb, gradually acquiring some of his magical techniques to enhance her own thieving skills.
Portrayed by O’Brien, Caleb Widogast is a human wizard featured in Campaign 2 of Critical Role. Initially, Caleb is portrayed as a down-on-his-luck vagabond. This can be attributed, in part, to his enrollment at the prestigious magical academy of the Dwendalian Empire, where he ultimately became an operative for the Empire. Regrettably, this decision resulted in the tragic demise of his family, an unsettling reality that haunts Caleb deeply.
Laura Bailey Plays Jester Lavorre
1 Critical Role Campaign 3
Bailey embodies the character of Jester, a mischievous tiefling cleric with vibrant blue skin, who devoutly follows a mysterious being known as the Traveler. Acting as a trickster cleric, Jester delights in creating chaos and spreading the teachings of the enigmatic Traveler. Among the members of the Mighty Nein, she stands out as the most outgoing and amiable, forging strong connections with her companions. Throughout their journey, Jester's unwavering positivity serves as a wellspring of motivation for her fellow adventurers. Notably, she forms a particularly close bond with Fjord, further strengthening their relationship as they face the challenges that lie ahead.
Matthew Mercer Plays The Dungeon Master
Marisha Ray Plays Laudna
In Critical Role's latest campaign, Mercer once again takes on the role of Dungeon Master, this time guiding the players through the vast continent of Marquet. While Marquet was briefly visited by the characters of Vox Machina in the previous campaign, their time there was limited as they pursued their various quests. In Campaign 3, the Bells Hells are introduced to a number of important non-playable characters, including Lord Ariks Eshteross, Otohan Thul, and Xandis.
Ray assumes the role of Laudna, a warlock and sorcerer of human descent in Critical Role Campaign 3. In addition to possessing extraordinary magical powers, Laudna is classified as a Hollow One. This term refers to individuals who have been resurrected through dark necromantic arts, devoid of a soul yet retaining their identity and capabilities. Throughout the campaign, Laudna's bond with Imogen strengthens, paralleling the growth of their companionship. Unveiling her unique talents, Laudna often unveils a manifestation of dark, viscous ichor.
Ashley Johnson Plays Fearne Calloway
Laura Bailey Plays Imogen Temult
Johnson takes on the role of Fearne, a mischievous faun druid hailing from the enchanting Feywild. In Critical Role Campaign 3, Fearne embarks on a quest across Exandria and the Material Plane in search of her long-lost parents. Known for her unpredictable nature, Fearne lives by her own set of rules, often veering towards chaos. Uniquely, she harnesses the power of wildfires as a druid and shares a lively bond with her fiery primate companion, affectionately called Little Mister. Fearne's journey first intertwines with the Crownkeepers in Exandria Unlimited, prior to her captivating entrance into Campaign 3.
Bailey takes on the role of Imogen in Critical Role's third campaign, embodying a human sorcerer who possesses vibrant purple hair and wields the power of psionic magic. Imogen is a Ruidusborn human who enters the campaign alongside Laudna, both driven by a desire to comprehend their extraordinary abilities and unravel their origins. While displaying a more subdued demeanor compared to Bailey's previous characters, Imogen astounds others with her remarkable problem-solving skills and strategic prowess.
Travis Willingham Plays Sir Bertrand Bell And Chetney Pock O’Pea
Liam O’Brien Plays Orym of the Air Ashari
Willingham takes on dual roles in Critical Role Campaign 3, similar to Jaffe in Campaign 2. Firstly, he portrays Sir Bertrand Bell, a human fighter who made his first appearance in a one-shot adventure following Campaign One. This occurred when Vox Machina ventured to Pandemonium to retrieve Grog. Bell, an aged man with a tendency to boast and exaggerate his achievements, aids the Bells Hells group in their inaugural quest. Subsequently, after Bell's demise, Willingham assumes the role of Chetney, a lycanthropy-afflicted gnome who serves as a blood hunter and rogue.
Orym, a halfling fighter of the Air Ashari, portrayed by O’Brien, embarks on a crucial task for Keyleth from Critical Role Campaign 1. Exclusively introduced in Exandria Unlimited, Orym aligns with Campaign 3, accompanying Fearne. With a sensible and focused demeanor, Orym often assumes the role of ‘babysitting’ his more unpredictable comrades.
Taliesin Jaffe Plays Ashton Greymoore
Sam Riegel Plays Fresh Cut Grass (FCG)
In Critical Role's Campaign 3, Jaffe assumes the role of the brawny member within the Bells Hells group. Portraying Ashton, an Earth genasi barbarian endowed with the ability to manipulate space during fits of rage, he adds a dynamic element to the team. Ashton's demeanor is characterized by sarcasm and a touch of irritability. During his time with a faction called the Nobodies, Ashton suffered severe injuries, but destiny brought him together with Fresh Cut Grass, an automaton with whom he formed a close bond.
In Critical Role Campaign 3, Riegel takes on the role of Fresh Cut Grass. This character, FCG, is not just any automaton cleric but a uniquely designed one with an ancient Aeorian heritage. Ashton, upon discovering FCG as the lone survivor of a previous band of adventurers, which included his inventive maker named Dancer, decides to bring him into their new group.
