The cast of Critical Role had to rewrite history with Legend of Vox Machina

Since the start of the web series in 2012, there have been real gaming phenomena critical role has expanded the world of Exandria, with each subsequent campaign taking place later in world history. But with Prime Video’s animated fantasy series The Legend of Vox Machina, the voice actors return to where it all began with their first squad of misfit mercenaries from the very first campaign. However, this time they had a chance to rewrite the story and make some changes to the way it played out the first time.

“[We’d] We played as a group for two and a half years before deciding to bring it to stream,” says Marisha Ray, the voice of the half-elf druid Keyleth. “So there were a lot of character building and backstory moments that audiences never saw. So, through flashbacks and really great cold opens, we can kind of get a peek behind that curtain.”

[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the first three episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina season 2]

“The scenes I love are the moments I didn’t get to be in the actual campaign,” adds Ashley Johnson, who voices compassionate gnomish cleric Pike Trickfoot.

Keyleth, a red-haired young woman, smiles nervously next to a light-haired, determined-looking woman. they are both illuminated in a glowing red light

Due to real-world scheduling conflicts, Johnson was absent from a few pivotal moments. Thanks to the animated series, the actors were able to rewrite the story a bit and bring Pike on board for these scenes. For example, the third episode of this season, “The Sunken Tomb,” follows the plot points of one of the episodes of the web series that Johnson was unable to attend; Now, when a trap in the eerie underwater temple is triggered and kills the half-elf ranger Vex’ahlia (Laura Bailey), Pike rushes to try to revive her – a moment notably absent from the original run.

Not only does the animated series give the actors the opportunity to delve into more of their characters’ backstories and explore dynamics that weren’t present at the table, but it also runs the show from the storytellers’ point of view, allowing viewers to see the villains and their own schemes to plan. Dungeon Master Matt Mercer was particularly excited to see this aspect of the show come to life as he played all of the Chroma Conclave dragons as Dungeon Master. While he reprises the role of the ancient dragon Umbrasyl on the show, the other dragons are voiced by Cree Summers, Lance Reddick, and Liam O’Brien (who is also the player and voice behind the half-elf villain Vax’ildan). Now we get to see the behind-the-scenes machinations of the dragons that make the epic battles all the more exciting. That’s not the only optimization that comes with Showdowns.

“We’re able to make some combat elements that sometimes the dice at the table can’t make that cool so much more cinematic, dynamic and exciting for this series,” says Mercer.

the cast of Vox Machina, left to right: Percy, a tall, pale human in a sleek trench coat; Keyleth, a nervous red-haired half-elf clutching a staff; Scanlan, a small tanned gnome with a low-cut purple shirt; Grog, a tall grey-skinned goliath shirtless and smiling; Hecht, a small gnome woman with fair hair; vax, a half-elven rogue with long dark hair and dark clothing; Vex, a half-elf ranger dressed in blue, with a feather in her dark hair and a quiver on her back

When it comes to the actual web series, the cast now plays a new set of characters who deal with a new set of threats (although their OGs occasionally make cameo appearances). Still, the characters who started it all hold a special place in their hearts, even if recording in a booth with a script is different than improvising at the table.

“It’s like going home on vacation to visit family,” explains Mercer. “There’s this facet of these characters that we love so much and lived with many, many years ago. And now we’re kind of slipping back into those old comfy outfits. We can revisit where it all began for many of those friendships that have now become inseparable bonds, and breathe new life into them, and pay homage and accurately depict what happened in many ways, and then surprise, even ourselves and others and hopefully the audience. It’s a way of taking the old and making it new again.”

During the very first session for Vox Machina was recorded in person, much of the recording for season one had to be done remotely due to the pandemic. When possible, the cast recorded in pairs or trios able to feed off each other’s energy and try to replicate the experience of sitting at the table and making it up to the first time. Going forward, it looks like recording together will be more of a normal thing, but the actors say that that first-ever recording session together will always be extra special.

“It was kind of a moment where we pinched ourselves a lot,” says Sam Riegal, the voice of swashbuckling gnome bard Scanlan. “We were all together in a booth to record a show that we created and helped write, and got to do the voice work and help with the production. And we were voice controlled by Mary McGlynn, one of our oldest friends. It was a real “Is that real?” Kind of moment, first time in the dressing room. But every time we get together to perform, whether it’s at the table, behind mics, or on a convention stage, it’s great. It’s great to hang out with these guys. Even after dating them for years, we still manage to make each other laugh. It’s a rare friendship we have. And I hope we can keep doing this forever.”

New episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina Fridays on Prime Video.