Baldur’s Gate 3 Shadowheart actor “didn’t want” to record 1 of the RPG’s most iconic lines at first “because I’m avoidant,” but “just like God’s favorite princess, I did it in my own time”

Look, we’ve all been there. You know that moment when someone asks you to do something perfectly reasonable, and your brain just goes “nope, not today”? Well, turns out even talented voice actors aren’t immune to this very human tendency. Jennifer English, the brilliant voice behind Baldur’s Gate 3’s beloved cleric Shadowheart, recently spilled some absolutely delightful tea about one of the game’s most quotable lines – and honestly, her reasoning is so relatable it hurts.

In a recent YouTube video from Fall Damage, English revealed the behind-the-scenes drama (and yes, I’m using “drama” in the most affectionate way possible) surrounding the now-legendary “God’s favorite princess” line. Spoiler alert: it almost didn’t happen, and the reason why is peak millennial energy.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Shadowheart Actor “Didn’t Want” to Record 1 of the RPG’s Most Iconic Lines at First

How a Tumblr Meme Became Gaming Gold

Here’s where things get interesting. The whole saga started when English’s partner and performance director, Aliona Baranova, stumbled across a meme that paired Shadowheart’s image with the phrase “God’s favorite princess.” Because apparently, the internet has an uncanny ability to sum up complex characters in devastatingly accurate one-liners.

Baranova, clearly recognizing comedic gold when she saw it, immediately knew this needed to be immortalized in the actual game. “Aliona found a meme that someone had made of that quote next to Shadowheart,” English explained during the quiz segment. “And this was really early on.”

But here’s where our story takes a deliciously human turn. When Baranova enthusiastically suggested English record the line, the actor’s response was essentially the voice acting equivalent of “I don’t wanna.” And honestly? Fair enough.

The Art of Creative Avoidance

English didn’t mince words about her initial reluctance: “And Aliona goes, ‘Babe, you have to record that.’ And I didn’t want to because I’m avoidant.” The casual honesty here is refreshing in an industry that often presents everything as seamlessly magical. Sometimes creativity involves someone lovingly bullying you into doing the thing you’re avoiding, and that’s perfectly okay.

The actor went on to joke that Baranova “bullied” her into recording the line – though let’s be real, this sounds more like the kind of gentle partner encouragement we all need when our inner perfectionist is being difficult. English eventually came around, but true to form, she did it “just like God’s favorite princess, I did it in my own time.”

Can we talk about how perfectly this encapsulates Shadowheart’s entire vibe? The character who acts mysterious and aloof but ultimately delivers when it counts? English basically channeled her character’s energy in real life, and that’s either method acting taken to delightful extremes or just beautiful cosmic alignment.

From Internet Joke to Canon Content

The story doesn’t end with a reluctant recording session, though. This fan-created meme became so beloved that Larian Studios decided to make it official canon. The line now appears in Baldur’s Gate 3’s epilogue, which was added in Patch 5 just months after the game’s 2023 release.

But here’s the catch – and Larian loves their catches – you can’t just stumble across this gem accidentally. Players need to be playing as either a Cleric, Dark Urge, or Githyanki Tav to trigger the specific dialogue chain. It’s like Larian’s way of saying, “Yes, we’ll give you the meme, but you have to work for it.”

The line comes after Shadowheart confidently declares that “everything sounds good when I say it,” which is such perfect setup that it feels almost scripted. Almost as if the writers knew exactly what they were doing when they crafted a character who could believably claim divine favoritism with a straight face.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Now, you might be wondering why we’re spending 600+ words dissecting the origin story of a single voice line. But here’s the thing – this whole situation perfectly demonstrates what makes Baldur’s Gate 3 special. It’s not just that Larian created an incredible RPG; it’s that they actually listen to their community and aren’t too precious about their creation to incorporate fan contributions.

The fact that a Tumblr meme became official game content speaks to the collaborative relationship between developers and players that modern gaming desperately needs more of. Too many studios treat their games like untouchable art pieces, but Larian understands that sometimes the community knows exactly what a character needs to say.

The Perfect Shadowheart Summary

English herself noted how well the meme captures Shadowheart’s essence, and she’s absolutely right. The full quote that inspired the meme – “I may be a hater and a gatekeeper, but I’m also God’s favorite princess, and the most interesting girl in the world” – is basically Shadowheart’s entire personality distilled into one sentence.

She’s judgmental, exclusive, confident to the point of arrogance, and yet somehow still endearing enough that players gladly keep her in their party. It’s the kind of character writing that walks a tightrope between insufferable and charming, and somehow manages to stick the landing.

The line has become so iconic that it’s hard to imagine Baldur’s Gate 3 without it. It’s spawned countless memes, inspired fan art, and given players the perfect way to describe Shadowheart to friends who haven’t played the game yet.

The Human Side of Voice Acting

Perhaps the most refreshing part of English’s revelation is how it humanizes the voice acting process. We often imagine these performances being delivered flawlessly in pristine studios by actors who never have creative blocks or personal hangups. But the reality is messier and more relatable.

Sometimes you don’t want to record a line because you’re feeling avoidant. Sometimes your partner has to convince you that a silly meme is actually perfect for your character. Sometimes the best creative decisions happen not because of grand artistic vision, but because someone you trust says, “Trust me on this one.”

The fact that English eventually recorded the line “in my own time” – and then used that exact phrasing to describe the experience – shows how deeply she understands Shadowheart’s character. The meta-humor here is chef’s kiss level perfect.

So thank you, Jennifer English, for eventually overcoming your creative avoidance. Thank you, Aliona Baranova, for recognizing meme gold when you saw it. And thank you to whatever anonymous Tumblr user originally created this masterpiece. Sometimes the best things in gaming come from the most wonderfully human moments.

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