Summary
The Game Awards 2023 has concluded, andBaldur’s Gate 3has won six awards, including Best Performance, which was won by Neil Newbon for his role as the handsome high elf vampire Astarion. The now multi-award-winningBaldur’s Gate 3is not the only game Newbon has appeared in, though.
Newbon became an award-winning actor after receiving a well-deserved win for Best Supporting Performer at the 2023 Golden Joystick Awards and nowBest Performance at The Game Awards 2023. Before winning these awards for his role as Astarion, Newbon had previously played characters such as Karl Heisenburg inResident Evil Village, Elijah Kamski fromDetroit: Become Human, and many others.
Newbon has quite a range of talents in the industry. He’s portrayed a wide variety of characters over the years, as well as providing general motion capture work:
Detroit: Become Human
The Elusive Elijah Kamski
Elijah Kamski is the enigmatic founder and former CEO of Cyberlife and was the man who invented the androids. For unknown reasons, 10 years before the events of the game, he retreated to live a life of isolation with the first model of android, called Chloe. There is a lot of speculation about why he disappeared from the public eye. Maybe he theorized about the eventual android rebellion and decided to stay clear of it and only wished to return when the deviants failed, which is seen inDetroit: Become Human’ssecret Kamski ending.
The Unexpected Fan Favorite: Gavin Reed
Gavin Reed is a police detective and is somewhat seen as a minor antagonist in Connor’s story. He is frequently seen trying to goad and antagonizeDetroit: Become Human’sConnorto get a reaction out of him. He was originally intended to be a minor character, but Gavin quickly became a fan favorite inDetroit: Become Humanand came to be featured in many fan creations, such as fan fiction and the fan filmDetroit Evolution, which is described as a love letter to Gavin Reed and Nines (RK900), as well as the pairing of the two characters, and to the world ofDetroit: Become Human.
Resident Evil
Nicholai Ginovaef in Resident Evil 3 Remake & Resident Evil: Resistance
Resident Evil’sNicholai Ginovaef, also known as Nikolai Zinoviev, is an antagonist inResident Evil 3. Neil Newbon came to play him in the 2020 remake ofResident Evil 3, and the multiplayer spin-off,Resident Evil: Resistance. However, there is another character in theResident Evilfranchise that Newbon is more recognized for.
Karl Heisenberg in Resident Evil Village
Karl Heisenberg is Neil Newbon’s most well-known performance in theResident Evilfranchise. Karl Heisenberg is one of the memorable antagonists inResident Evil Villagealongside Lady Dimitrescu. Newbon’s performance has been praised asResident Evil’sKarl Heisenbergand it’s argued that he should have survived for longer, as he had the potential to bring more to the story or perhaps become the next main villain.
Baldur’s Gate 3
The Lovable Vampire Astarion
No list of Neil Newbon’s characters would be complete without a nod to his breathtaking performance as the lovable vampire rogue, Astarion. Neil Newbon’s portrayal of Astarion has brought joy and happiness to many fans ofBaldur’s Gate 3. Astarion is a victim and a survivor, and Neil Newbon admitted how the game has helped many fans feel validated and represented for the first time. For fans ofBaldur’s Gate 3’sAstarionto feel seen and validated is a true testament to the amazing skills of the writer of Astarion, Stephen Rooney, and Neil Newbon’s portrayal of the witty rogue, let alone the rest of the game.
Astarion has many memorable moments inBaldur’s Gate 3. From his snarky and witty comments to his personal quest to confront Cazador. His romance with the player, if they choose to romance him, is heartfelt and wholesome and shows that sometimes a simple hug can convey a thousand words. He’s not just a charming vampire, he also has a deep emotional and impactful storyline. His quest to confront Cazador and become his own person was a heart-wrenching tale that ended in him either remaining asa Spawn or becoming the Vampire Ascendent.
Best Supporting Performer and Best Performance At The 2023 Golden Joystick Awards & The Game Awards 2023
Astarion is a popular character inBaldur’s Gate 3, and with Neil Newbon’s portrayal of this complicated, witty, and impactful vampire who managed to claim the hearts of many players, it is no surprise that Neil Newbon won both the Best Supporting Performer at the 2023 Golden Joystick Awards and the Best Performance at the 2023 Game Awards. Many moments showwhy Neil Newbon deserved these awards.
