At a time when Hollywood actors are moving on from superhero franchises, British actor Andrew Wincott wants to reprise his role of Raphael from the popular video game Baldur’s Gate 3.
“I wouldn’t want to pass the mantle on to someone else. That would be really tough. I’d love to play him again,” said Wincott during our interview at Gamescom Asia 2024. The 57-year-old thespian was in town over the weekend for the event, and fans were chuffed to rub shoulders with him. Needless to say, his meet-and-greet events had a massive turnout, with fans shelling out upwards of $40 to get a photo with him, an autograph, or both.
Larian Studios‘ role-playing game’s immense success caused the main cast to rise to fame meteorically. Wincott doesn’t play any of the main roles, but his deliciously seductive, campy devil cambion has been embraced by the fanbase.
As Wincott put it, “I did try to make him as effortlessly charming as I could because my way into him was, the devil wouldn’t have to try too hard because he’s confident, he’s powerful… There’s a line in Hamlet: The devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape.”
It’s clear that Raphael is a villain, but this veteran makes the potential danger and menace “alluring.”
“It’s covered with this charm, this ease, this seductive quality,” he noted. “As indeed, Eve is seduced in the Garden of Eden. So the seductive charm was my way into the character.”
Andrew Wincott Didn’t See That Coming
While it might seem like a no-brainer that such a character would be popular among the community (also considering that Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the horniest video games out there), Wincott admitted that he “really didn’t know that he would be embraced in the way he has been”.
Another thing the ‘devil’ didn’t foresee? The astronomical success of the game. And yes, Wincott has worked with Larian before on Divinity: Original Sin 2.
“I didn’t have any idea, really, that this was going to be as special as it is,” he said. Wincott also has yet to play a game of Dungeons & Dungeons and was unaware of “the passion behind it”. He added, “That’s been a revelation to me, as has the way the fanbase has received BG3. It’s just been amazing.”
Dealing With The Fame
As for the fame that comes with the game, the actor said he “just goes with the flow” and acknowledged that it’s been “extraordinary” to meet up with the fans at conventions. However, he also pointed out that it’s only within a “particular community where I think there’s fame and recognition”.
“I don’t think it’s universal… To people who don’t know the gaming world, it’s all a bit baffling. When I describe it to them, they sort of smile and nod and laugh [and say] ‘Really, you know, but when are you going to do something in the theatre again?’,” he shared with a slight smile.
“But no, this is huge! This game has reached millions of people and, in some ways, changed their lives.”
Wincott added, “I’ve heard amazing stories of how it’s changed their lives or got them through difficult times. And that’s something which you don’t hear very much about the theatre or, indeed, a film or television.”
The Return of Andrew Wincott’s Raphael
Unfortunately, the jury is still out on whether Wincott will get to reprise “the most iconic” role of his decades-long career. Earlier this year, the developer behind some of the biggest games of this generation (Divinity: Original Sin, and now Baldur’s Gate 3) announced that they would not be working on a sequel.
They had also started work on a DLC before scrapping it all together as “it wasn’t really coming from the heart”. Yet, Wincott is adopting a “never say never” attitude when it comes to voicing the devil we love and hate.
He mused, “Who knows? Perhaps there will be life after BG3 for him. Someone’s got to come up with the idea… If someone does take up where Larian left off, to make it as good as Baldur’s Gate 3, that’s an enormous challenge.”
For now, though, in Andrew Wincott’s own words, Raphael is “never far away”.
“It’s the lines, really, that resonate and that I’m very often, at events like this, invited to repeat, and I take great delight in doing so, because everybody seems to enjoy them. So he does still live with me.”
