Voice acting plays a crucial role in shaping the emotional depth of modern video games. From heroes to villains and complex companions, voice actors bring characters to life and help players connect with the stories unfolding across digital worlds.
A number of LGBTQ actors have become prominent voices in gaming, contributing to some of the industry’s most iconic characters while also helping increase visibility and representation within the medium.
Here are eight LGBTQ voice actors whose performances have helped define modern gaming.
Erika Ishii – Valkyrie (Apex Legends)
“Representation matters. Seeing players connect with characters who reflect their experiences is incredibly powerful.”
Voice actor Erika Ishii is widely known for voicing Valkyrie in Apex Legends.
Valkyrie quickly became one of the game’s most popular characters and is openly lesbian within the game’s story.
Ishii, who identifies as gender-fluid, has spoken about how meaningful it is to portray characters that resonate with diverse audiences.
Ashly Burch – Aloy (Horizon)
“Video games allow players to feel like they’re part of the character’s journey.”
Actor Ashly Burch voices Aloy in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.
Burch identifies as queer and has become one of the most recognisable voices in modern gaming.
Neil Newbon – Astarion (Baldur’s Gate 3)
“Characters resonate when they feel human and layered.”
British actor Neil Newbon gained widespread recognition for his role as Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3.
The character’s dramatic personality and romance options helped make him one of the most talked-about companions in the game.
Newbon has often emphasised the importance of emotional depth in character performances.
Matt Mercer – McCree / Cassidy (Overwatch)
“Voice acting is about working together to build characters players will remember.”
Well-known voice actor Matt Mercer voices the gunslinger Cassidy in Overwatch.
Mercer, who identifies as bisexual, is also known for his work on the popular tabletop series Critical Role.
He has spoken about the collaborative nature of voice acting in games.
Samantha Béart – Karlach (Baldur’s Gate 3)
Actor Samantha Béart voiced Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3, a character praised for her warmth, humour and emotional storyline.
Béart, who identifies as nonbinary, has spoken about the joy of portraying characters that resonate strongly with players.
Cherami Leigh – Female V (Cyberpunk 2077)
Voice actor Cherami Leigh voices the female version of V in Cyberpunk 2077.
Leigh has voiced numerous characters across anime and video games and has spoken about how games allow actors to explore complex characters.
Abubakar Salim – Bayek (Assassin’s Creed Origins)
British actor Abubakar Salim voiced Bayek in Assassin’s Creed Origins.
Salim, who identifies as bisexual, has received praise for the emotional depth he brought to the character and later founded his own game development studio.
Voices Shaping the Future of Gaming
As video games continue to grow as a storytelling medium, the actors behind these characters play a vital role in shaping how those stories resonate with players.
For many fans, hearing characters brought to life through authentic performances helps create the emotional connection that makes games memorable.
With LGBTQ performers contributing to some of the industry’s biggest titles, the future of voice acting in gaming is likely to become even more diverse and inclusive.