The Baldur's Gate video game series, known and praised for its rich storytelling and deep, immersive world, stands as a golden standard in the role-playing game (RPG) genre. Set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, these games offer an extraordinary blend of intense narrative, layered characters, and expansive world-building that has captivated gamers for decades. The series expertly uses the D&D ruleset, much to the excitement of us D&D nerds, creating a gameplay experience that feels both authentic to its tabletop roots and groundbreaking in its digital execution. The depth of the games' lores, combined with the dynamic character interactions and moral conundrums, makes the Baldur's Gate series not just mere games but journeys into a living, breathing world.
A live-action adaptation of Baldur's Gate, specifically Baldur's Gate 3 – the rightful 2023 Game of the Year award recipient – would be exciting and extremely successful if done correctly (e.g. if Netflix gave it the same kind of treatment it gave to its adaptation of One Piece). The visual splendor of the game's world, from the majestic city of Baldur's Gate itself to the ominous depths of the Underdark, would look stunning in a TV series. Then there’s the game’s diverse cast of characters, each with their own backstories and motivations, who provide so many narrative possibilities that it's actually hard to have the same gaming experience as another BG3 player. A live-action series or movie could dive deep into these characters, exploring their journeys and the relationships that form as your story progresses.
So... with rumors that Netflix is actually working on developing a Baldur's Gate 3 live-action show buzzing around the internet, let’s talk about who could play the characters we all love (or hate) so much. Seeing charactes like Gale, Shadowheart, and my game boyfriend Astarion in the flesh would be exciting if done correctly, and scratch the itch for more time spent with our favorite characters.
I have done some homework and I am here to present you (or Netflix, if you're reading this) with 10 excellent choices for 10 amazing characters. Let's take a looksie, shall we?
Next: Everyone’s favorite character (except apparently for me)