Meet Samantha Béart (BAY-art)
Let’s get one thing straight: Samantha Béart is the voice actor you didn’t know you needed—until Karlach swung their axe into your heart in Baldur’s Gate 3. A classically trained powerhouse from London’s Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Samantha (they/she) has quietly carved a niche across theatre, audio drama, and gaming. And this month? They’re hotter than a tiefling berserker—landing roles in upcoming releases like Fading Echo and Tron: Catalyst, and earning nominations (BAFTA, DICE, GANG) along the way.
Early Life & Training
Samantha grew up in a diverse British household (Jamaican-Irish roots), shuffling through activities like Irish dance, karate, choir, and drama clubs. Though shy at first, it was English Lit studies and seeing Shakespeare live that lit a fire—so much so that she auditioned for Guildhall over institutions like RADA, LAMDA, and Bristol Old Vic. Their training there wasn’t a soft soap: it focused on voice, body, curiosity—and prepared Béart to tackle anything from stage to motion-capture studios.
Audio Roots & Non-Binary Discovery
Post-Guildhall, stage and screen opportunities proved tricky—Samantha didn’t “look” British enough, ironically limiting roles. So they doubled down on audio, landing their first pro gig as Random Dent in BBC Radio 4’s adaptation of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, under Dirk Maggs’s direction. More audio followed: Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, Terry Pratchett, Big Finish’s Torchwood (as Orr)—and importantly, a new realization of their non-binary identity through voice alone. The anonymity of audio allowed them to explore characters beyond physical typecasting.
Breaking In: Indie Success & Karlach Audition
The breakthrough came with indie darling The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow (2022), featuring Samantha as Thomasina Bateman. A Larian Studios dev happened to praise their performance online—and Béart slid into DMs to ask about major roles. That led to an audition for Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3—and after almost being cast earlier (they auditioned in 2020 for a fighter named Kayra), they landed the gig in 2022. Recording at PitStop in the UK, the initial plan of 10 sessions snowballed to 65, taking nearly a year—while Samantha still worked full-time in IT consulting.
Karlach: A Career-Defining Role
The result? A powerhouse performance as a fiery, muscle-bound tiefling warrior—with motion-capture, this character resonated deeply. Karlach shot Samantha into the spotlight, earning BAFTA and DICE noms as well as a GANG Award win. They told PC Gamer that Karlach’s development from a standard tiefling into a “muscle mummy” was a surprise and shaped by their audition energy. Many fans reached out, sharing how Karlach’s emotional arc—especially finally confronting Gortash—helped them personally, moving players ranging from military veterans to those dealing with chronic illness.
Teleporting Forward: Tron, Fading Echo & Absolum
Samantha’s next big quests:
- Tron: Catalyst: isometric combat and cyber-style thrills—adds their voice as a smooth, futuristic character.
- Fading Echo: in this anime‑styled puzzle-platformer, they voice “One,” an adorable shape‑shifting water avatar—quite the pivot from Karlach’s flames. Polygon reports Béart was excited by the character animations and how this role leans into water energy rather than fire.
- Absolum: announced at Steam Next Fest, this roguelike beat‑’em‑up promises gritty combat and repeat playthroughs, with Samantha voicing one of the playable cast.
Game Rant confirms all three roles are mid-recording or ready to hit the audience—and that more announcements are coming before Gamescom.
BAFTA Breakthrough & Podcasting
In 2023–24, Samantha was picked as a UK BAFTA Breakthrough recipient—an indie-first for a game actor, speaking volumes about their impact. They also launched the chat show/podcast It Takes A Village, interviewing developers, voice talent, animators—highlighting the unsung heroes behind video games.
Beyond Gaming: Industry Presence & Identity
A stalwart in panels, Twitch co‑hosting, and comic cons (they appeared at Glasgow 2024 and Heroes Dutch Comic Con), Samantha connects across fandoms, all while maintaining a sense of grounded humility. They regularly stream on Twitch, YouTube‑archive conversations, and remain active on X (Twitter) under their handle @SamanthaBeart.
Pronouns & Personal Style
Samantha uses she/they pronouns. On themes of gender, belonging, and identity, they share via interviews that audio work offered freedom to move through roles unconstrained by physical expectations–especially affirming for non-binary performers.
Looking Ahead: The Stage Is Yours
Samantha’s goal? To become the 2020s version of a “character actor everywhere,” as they told PC Gamer—popping up in unexpected roles across games, audio, animation, and beyond. With at least five more projects in the pipeline before Gamescom, it’s safe to say we haven’t heard the last of Béart.
Why We’re All Here for Samantha Béart
What makes Samantha special is the mix of classical training and indie passion, their open identity and community presence, and the raw vulnerability they pour into characters like Karlach. Whether they’re swinging an axe, shifting into water, or chatting with game creators about craft, they bring infectious enthusiasm and depth.
Fun Fact Download
- First pro gig: BBC Radio 4’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
- Originally worked full-time in IT consulting while recording BG3.
- They injected motion‑capture energy into Karlach’s cinematic presence.
- Water avatar in Fading Echo: transformation from human to blob of water and back is no small vocal challenge.
- Host of It Takes A Village, spotlighting game‑dev talent behind the scenes.
Final Word
If you’re casting games, podcasts, animation, or anything that needs a bold, versatile voice with soul and flair, add Samantha Béart to your short list. They’re proof that firing up your career—like a tiefling on a rampage—is possible with talent, tenacity, and a touch of DM‑level determination.
Be sure to read "SHOCKING: D.C. Douglas Exposes Truth About 101 Voice Actors!"
