Wizards of the Coast Announces New Official D&D Actual-Play Series with Baldur's Gate 3 Stars

Wizards of the Coast is officially returning to the realm of official actual-play series, and the news has gaming fans buzzing. The publisher is launching a new anthology titled Dungeon Masters, which will prominently feature Neil Newbon and Devora Wilde, the voice actors behind Astarion and Lae'zel from the hit game Baldur's Gate 3. While Critical Role has collaborated with Wizards of the Coast on projects like The Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, most actual-play series featuring people playing D&D remain unofficial. However, this new venture aims to bridge that gap by integrating gameplay directly into upcoming product releases.

A Gothic-Horror Anthology Begins in Ravenloft

This new initiative marks a significant shift for Wizards of the Coast, moving away from sporadic campaigns like Legends of the Multiverse toward a structured anthology format. In this series, the studio plans to rotate through different campaigns and potentially cast members to keep the content fresh. The inaugural campaign will transport players to Ravenloft, a gothic-horror setting that has long been a favorite for D&D enthusiasts.

The Dungeon Master for this first arc is Jasmine Bhullar, known for her work on Dimension 20's Coffin Run and the series DesiQuest. She will be leading a star-studded cast of players:

  • Devora Wilde, who voices Lae'zel in Baldur's Gate 3.
  • Neil Newbon, the voice of Astarion from the same game.
  • Mayanna Berrin, known for her role as Coupé in Dispatch.
  • Christian Navarro, recognizable as Tony Padilla from 13 Reasons Why.

Official Campaigns Tie Directly to D&D Products

What truly sets Dungeon Masters apart from unofficial actual-plays is its direct integration with upcoming Dungeons & Dragons releases. The series will showcase features from the supplement Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, a book packed with dark domains, monster stats, and new subclasses. As the show progresses, players will demonstrate several of these mechanics in action during their gameplay sessions.

Fans can expect to see Neil Newbon portraying a gnome reanimator artificer, essentially playing as a three-foot-tall Doctor Frankenstein within the horror setting. This approach allows viewers to see how specific rules and narrative tools function in a live table environment before purchasing them for their own games.

Interactive Play-Along Packs and Release Details

To enhance the viewing experience, each episode of Dungeon Masters will be accompanied by an official "play-along pack." These digital resources include:

  • An encounter based on one Jasmine Bhullar originally planned for her table.
  • The understanding that, like every D&D campaign, characters can take unexpected paths or make choices that alter the story's direction.
  • Stat blocks for a monster featured in Ravenloft: The Horrors Within.
  • A quickplay map designed specifically for use on D&D Beyond's virtual tabletop platform.

The first play-along pack will be available free of charge to all fans. It is scheduled for release the day after the series premiere, which occurs on April 22 at 6:30 PM PT. This interactive model ensures that viewers can actively participate in the Ravenloft horror narrative even after turning off their screens.