Baldur’s Gate 3 Karlach actor Samantha Béart has revealed what they believe to be the most common community misconception about their character. It’s always interesting to see how actors see their characters differently from fans, especially in the case of fan favorites like Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Karlach.
When Baldur’s Gate 3 was released almost two years ago, fans were instantly drawn to the companion Karlach. A big part of this was actor Samantha Béart’s endearing performance, which ensured that the tiefling was a mainstay in most players’ Baldur’s Gate 3 parties. It’s easy to forget that during the game’s Early Access period, Karlach was supposed to be a one-off quest character, only being expanded to a fully-fledged companion later in Baldur’s Gate 3‘s development.

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Speaking to TheGamer, Karlach actor Samantha Béart was asked about what they believe is the biggest misconception about the popular Baldur’s Gate 3 companion. Her response may come as a surprise to those who view Karlach as a particularly cheery character, responding, “That she is a really sweet, nice, happy-go-lucky person. I think she was a very different person in hell… I imagined being locked in a supermax prison, with no hope of getting out and doing all sorts of horrible gang stuff to survive, and then and then finally actually getting out and going, ‘Do you know what? I get to decide who I am now. And I’m not going to be that person anymore. That person was how I got through that stage of my life. But I’m not doing it anymore.'”
Baldur’s Gate 3 Karlach Actor Thinks She Was “A Piece of Work in Hell”
Béart continued along the same lines with their answer, pointing out, “I think she was a piece of work in hell. She would have had to be. She’s someone who didn’t really talk very much. She just kept her head down and got through it.” While on the surface, Karlach’s chipper personality is a big reason for her popularity in Baldur’s Gate 3, it shows the various dimensions of care that have gone into creating such a layered character in the final product.
I think she was a piece of work in hell. She would have had to be.
It remains to be seen whether fans will ever see Béart’s Karlach make a return in future Baldur’s Gate projects. Last year, the actor confirmed they’d be willing to return to Baldur’s Gate, even without Larian’s involvement, which could remove a huge barrier going forward. Given the character’s enduring popularity, it would definitely not be a surprise to see her brought back in whatever comes next for the franchise.

Baldur’s Gate 3
- Released
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August 3, 2023
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Engine
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Divinity 4.0