The internet’s favorite Dungeons & Dragons clan is officially returning. Critical Role will resume its adventures on July 2nd.
Critical Role, a web series featuring professional voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons, paused broadcasts March 17 due to the COVID-19 breakout. Because of the cast and crew size of the web show, the decision was made to keep the employees healthy and safe from the fatal virus.
“The health, safety, and well-being of our company and employees is the highest priority for us and we asked our staff to begin working from home to practice social distancing last week,” the team announced via Critical Role’s website.
But in a big announcement earlier today, Critical Role released a “State of the Role” to update fans of their highly-anticipated return. Cast member and Creative Director Marisha Ray, who currently voices The Mighty Nein’s Beau, shows off their new social-distancing set to keep the beloved cast and crew safe.
She explains that much research and development has gone into making sure COVID-19 guidelines are being followed with the CDC and the WHO, as well as ensuring the cast will be comfortable during filming. A skeleton crew will man the studio while the cast will be separated at least seven feet from each other, assuring fans they needn’t worry about Critical Role during the pandemic.
During the hiatus, however, fans were still gifted with much content to keep them busy. As many gamers know, two of the Critical Role cast members starred in the newly released Last of Us: Part II. Ashley Johnson (who voices Yasha) voiced Ellie, while Laura Bailey (Jester) voiced the game’s antagonist Abby.
As D&D continues to garner exceptional popularity, Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaden was announced and will give players and Dungeon Masters new material come September 15. Critical Role’s Dungeon Master, Matthew Mercer, appeared in a Twitch charity live-stream hosted by IGN, showing off his island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Other cast members like Liam O’Brien (Caleb) and Sam Riegel (Nott) appeared in a one-shot titled “The Song of the Lorelei,” watchable on Critical Role’s Twitch channel. Additionally, a new D&D campaign book, contributed in part by Matt Mercer, was released on March 17th, 2020.
Critical Role episodes will resume airing every Thursday at 7 PM PT, starting with the current campaign’s 100th episode on July 2nd