TES: Online voice cast to be led by John Cleese

Probably old news now, but I wanted to pass it on anyway, because it’s cool.

 

I haven’t paid a great deal of attention to The Elder Scrolls online, because I’m not paying monthly to play it. Not happening, unless days begin sprouting a lot more hours.

I also didn’t expect much in terms of plot or character, which for me is the point of an RPG. However, it becomes clear from this voice cast that there will be some substance to the game, however loosely built the plot structure is.

This calibre of voice acting isn’t chosen just for bit parts, after all. Their presence makes me want to play the game more, I must admit. Skyrim and Oblivion had great voice acting (in central character roles at least). Bethesda have made it something of a signature, like getting Liam Neeson to do Fallout 3.

So, who? Behold press release: John Cleese (“A Fish Called Wanda,” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”), Golden Globe winner Bill Nighy (“Pirates of the Caribbean”), Kate Beckinsale (“The Aviator,” “Pearl Harbor”), Alfred Molina (“Spider-Man 2”) and Golden Globe nominees Michael Gambon (“Harry Potter”), and Malcolm McDowell (“A Clockwork Orange”). In addition, Lynda Carter (“Wonder Woman”) returns to the Elder Scrolls series to reprise her role from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

“This extraordinary group of actors helps bring the distinctive characters in The Elder Scrolls Online to life,” said Matt Firor, game director of The Elder Scrolls Online, while smothering a trout. “In The Elder Scrolls tradition, we sought world class talent to add a deep and enriching component to the immersive world the series offers players.”

• John Cleese plays Cadwell, the cheerful and endearingly mad lost soul who is not afraid of anyone, even a Daedric Prince.
• Bill Nighy portrays High King Emeric, a merchant prince whose luck and determination won him the throne.
• Kate Beckinsale takes on the role of Queen Ayrenn, the leader of the Aldmeri Dominion and Queen of the High Elves who is far more comfortable with a blade than her crown.
• Alfred Molina takes on the role of Abnur Tharn, a wily old wizard and politician who is the head of the Empire’s Elder Council, and the de facto power behind the Ruby Throne.
• Lynda Carter plays Azura, the Daedric Princess of Dusk and Dawn from Skyrim who is a popular part of Elder Scrolls lore.
• Michael Gambon voices The Prophet, a mysterious blind man who guides the player through their journey to retrieve their soul (and teaches young wizards?).
• Malcolm McDowell plays the key figure Molag Bal, an evil Daedric god from another plane who schemes to enslave the mortal souls of Tamriel (you know, John Bal’s lad).
• Peter Stormare (“Fargo”) plays Jorunn the Skald King, an unexpected monarch who led his people into an unlikely alliance.
• Jim Ward (“WALL·E,” “Despicable Me 2”) voices Mannimarco, a renegade High Elf wizard exiled from the realm for raising the dead and the world’s most powerful necromancer.
• Jennifer Hale appears in the role of Lyris Titanborn, a Nord half-giant, who, along with the Prophet, aids the player on their journey.
• Kevin Michael Richardson rounds out the cast as Sai Sahan a noble martial artist and master swordsman.

But! Take not my word for it. Check out this casting video!