Astarion Actor Neil Newbon On Astarion's Orientation

I've heard some debate in the Baldur's Gate 3 community about Astarion's orientation, & during his 7 hr signing with Maggie Robertson (Lady D from RE8) he talks about that orientation & the importance of its inclusion in the game. All credit to Neil Newbon (& Maggie Robertson) as this was streamed live at / neilnewbon on May 29, 2021).

[@rezq9109]

Damn, so he sounds like this naturally? One of the most beautiful and interesting voices I have ever heard.

[@nocturna76]

yeah i always giggle when neil says he'll say something 'as astarion' i'm like, isn't that just a more posh you? 🥰

[@nunpho]

Have you seen him doing Astarion lines in his 'original' accent from where he grew up? Its hilarious

[@nocturna76]

@@nunpho lol yep, i've been watching his streams since 2020 when i first got the game hehe

[@nunpho]

​@@nocturna76​ "watch out, ol byte. Cheeky little pwup" 😆. Yeah ive been watching him for a few years too, lovely guy.

[@luckyanya9354]

@@nunpho I think Neil changed his accent to a general British one just for clarity...Some actors do that so they get hired more often apparently. It's very nice to listen to; I wonder if he'd ever think of narrating something.

[@TwitchyWitchy]

Neil : astarion is theatrical. Me: yeah, he's a drama queen...

[@Daelyah]

But boy, does that queen 💖SLAY💖

[@ayato4743]

I try to sow as much drama as I can and Astarion lives for it. His approval goes through the roof xD

[@annaavertho4944]

Well after 200 years of basically just sexual abuse and torture, he has every right to be a drama queen… But what Niel meant is, is that Astarion puts on a show and uses his humour and sarcasm to hide how weak he feels and how broken he is. It makes complete sense that he’s pan sexual too, because he clings to the very first thing showing strength and leadership. As it turns out later he also really isn’t all that into sex due to his trauma and really just wants a partner he feels safe with and who respects him and he doesn’t care about the more shallow aspects such as looks and gender, despite what he constantly is saying (he is even willing to take a chance on Tav if Tav turns into a mindflyer even though he’s extremely grossed out by the appearance, stating „he has to get used to it“ and „what they had is too good to give up and just throw away“. So at some point Cazedor says that if not for Tav, Astarion would probably just have returned to Cazador, cause he has nothing else and knows nothing else. That is why it’s so important to make sure during the game that Astarion can establish boundaries and gets mentally empowered, without turning him into a power driven monster who hates the world.

[@JamesCourse66]

He’s... such an attractive man. Being a good person is the most attractive trait.

[@radical9799]

That and personality of course

[@TaronSchmaron]

HOW is he 45🥴

[@JamesCourse66]

@@TaronSchmaron He is!????

[@FocusedFighter777]

Hence why most men cant date. We keep saying this and men dont listen to us. Whatever then.

[@ShayTheBean]

Yeahhhh I may be crushing hard 🥴🥰🥵

[@roguejester4986]

Astarion is one of the reasons why I enjoy Baldur's Gate 3.

[@MizuMing]

He's why I'm buying it in the first place.. Astarion is lovely.

[@thesnep4757]

He was... quite literally, half the reason I bought the game.

[@roguejester4986]

@@thesnep4757 I'd get it, but I want the whole installment rather than partial. It wouldn't be as fun for me.

[@MizuMing]

@@roguejester4986 Then just wait. Next year, 2023 is the current release window for the full game. You can buy it at that time, fully finished and good to go. 😊

[@roguejester4986]

@@MizuMing I hope so, I waited so long for it.

[@hinadori5491]

Neil's regular voice/sliiight vocal fry sounds like Astarion's morning voice

[@midnightsunrise44]

This needs to be shown to some people out there who are saying Astarion is "just gay", and to stop romancing him with female characters. They say he should be gay because of the way he acts, that there's no way a man who behaves like him is into women. It's so bizarre, they're being bi/pan phobic all while reinforcing the stereotype of all gay men being flamboyant when they're not. I know it's like a select few in the fandom but it's still incredibly lame. EDIT: so I've been watching the What We Do In The Shadows tv series and Laszlo reminds me so much of Astarion! The way he speaks and his flamboyance. And hey would you look at that... he likes men AND women!!!!!

[@lexiecon_98]

Yeah...slightly hits a nerve when someone says he's gay or a femboy or a twink 😶 like no he's astarion, simple as that lol

[@The-Doctor6969]

​@@lexiecon_98gay doesn't really = femboy or twink, now does it? That idea just reinforces the same gender preconceptions. Justice for my femboys who enjoy milkers 😥

[@nunpho]

I keep seeing little weirdos say that they kill him at the beginning of the game because "hes gay"... thats totally normal 😬

[@midnightsunrise44]

@nunpho wow really!?! Bigoted and bi/pan phobic people really shouldn't be allowed to play this game I swear, lol.

[@CyerraMyste]

@@lexiecon_98 I really don't like everyone calling him a twink, I feel like it's either lowkey insulting or overly sexualized. And he's just so much more!

[@dextrokage9330]

i love this honestly,we need more normalization of free sexuality,and it feels more real and natural than just having it be there for the sake of pandering

[@CeaseEcho]

It's kinda why I have a bit of problem with Dorian from DAI. His whole story arch was about his sexuality. Orginally he was going to be bisexual but the devs actually admitted they could not come up with a compelling story arch. So they (David Gaider) suggested the "I'm gay" daddy issue troupe. Granted it's still a problem with some when their family rejects them for being gay and that's valid. (I never told my dad I'm genderfluid and pan out of fear of being disowned so I can relate) But I do have a problem when sexuality seems to completely encompasses a character. I felt we never got to see much beyond sassy gay mage.

[@Adotworm]

@@CeaseEchoIt's been awhile, but I feel like I remember him for a lot more than just sassy-gay-mage. Perhaps I should do a new play-through with his romance

[@user-lv8vn8kq8r]

​@@CeaseEchoHis story arch didnt revole around his sexuality, it revolved around his relationships with his family and his culture and his aristocratic position regarding his sexuality. Its about class conciousness and systematic issues that he love to complain about but never seem to lift a finger to fix even when he could technically be a very powerful ally to the slave class. His story is the story of an idealistic but whiny boy getting his things together, make amends with his family and his home, then finally maturing into a leader. No, it wasnt just about his sexuality. But all that aside, do you really believe these stories are valid? Cause if you did, why leave this comment? It realy gives vibe of "im not a racist but... " and whatever comes after it is always racist. People can say whatever they want, but their action speak louder. You might say that you can even relate to that experience, but that doesn't mean that you think its valid. Yk, the same way how a black person can be racist.

[@terra_the_nightingale135]

@@CeaseEcho a year late but Dorian’s story arch was a lot more than just his sexuality. Dorian is Tevinter, he wants to better himself as a person and his countrymen into not being the bad guys, he wants to follow someone good like Felix or the possibly good Inquisitor, his sexuality is a large part of his story, but it’s not the whole story arch. People view him as a bad guy or a traitor immediately because of his heritage, even later on in becoming a magister, his story arch is a whole lot more than just a sassy flirtatious gay guy.

[@greyngreyer5]

What would feel more natural is set sexuality though. It helps with characterisation by a lot.

[@kaiden2003]

I seriously want to see a solo Heisenberg game

[@ShenDoodles]

It would be a cool DLC to build Soldats and test them out on Lycans.

[@peachykeen4741]

@@ShenDoodles all I want is to be able to gang up with Heisenberg and Ethan’s POV from the bonus scene in Nero’s newest video :(

[@ShenDoodles]

@@peachykeen4741 The DLC will be called "Ethan Abandons his Morals for Fan Service"

[@michaelvillarama7584]

Or one where Ethan takes his offer and both work together to stop Miranda.

[@ShenDoodles]

@@michaelvillarama7584 I feel like it'd end badly for Ethan. Weaponising Rose like that could cause problems. Still want it, though, that'd be a killer DLC.

[@alexsolomon7991]

Asterion is a freaking elf. It's more or less Canon that when you get a race that sort of lifespan they generally wind up trying everything at least once. (There are of course always exceptions)

[@daz211]

Not only that, but a vampire elf. That's like.. doubled immortality

[@thearcanamodernau8130]

@@daz211 And vampires are more often than not, known for being fruity.

[@NoFirstNoLastName]

So what you are saying is they are a try-sexual. Samantha from SOTC IS AN ELF!

[@kellyriddell5014]

@@thearcanamodernau8130 And there's that stereotype for elves, too, so it adds up.

[@LadyAstarionAncunin]

Elf + vampire. Either way, he was going to taste the full banquet that the world has to offer.

[@tinyrogue1320]

love this guy! and i doubly appreciate that he specifically mentions dragon age 2 for its option to romance any of the four love interests regardless of your hawke's gender. i remember the shitstorm bioware earned for that and how afterwards they never dared try something like that again. and these days everybody's yelling at developers, asking them to include a full roster of pansexual companions... hypocricy rules, i guess (: anyways, neil is a really cool guy and i'm glad he's our astarion! :D

[@hyejinmoon4882]

I actually rather love how they handled it in Dragon Age: Inquisition and made it so the characters had their own sexualities and racial preferences too. Like Cullen would only go for a Female Human or Dalish Elf, and had unique dialogue if she was a mage. Or how Ironbull would go with anyone, or how Dorian was only into men...It made the replayability aspect so nice to make different characters who had their own personalities for romance.

[@daina3628]

When you have a bear sex scene, the sexuality of the characters becomes much less controversial 😂. I don't know if they did it on purpose, but raising the bar so that the sexual "blindness" of the characters looks much more mundane in comparison, is actually brilliant.

[@theladycata9648]

I’ve seen so many people calling DA2 unrealistic for having so many bi characters but it’s one of the few games I’ve played where my favorite love interest wasn’t gated off because I chose to play the wrong gender. We need stories with representation but I think we also need stories that just let it be a fantasy where sexuality isn’t a big deal. I’ve already fallen for enough straight girls irl, I don’t need it in my escapist fiction. (Also any friend group that causes that much chaos on a citywide scale has to be almost all bisexuals, it would be more unrealistic if they weren’t)

[@BVBloom]

I love Neil. He's an absolute treasure. If Cullen Rutherford makes an appearance in Dragon Age 4 or any other future Dragon Age games, I would like to hear Neil Newbon voice the character.

[@Powered1Buttercup]

Ohmygod he would be such a good replacement for Cullen 💜💜

[@Martha-Novalin-]

THis is a brilliant idea! Yes please! Let'S make it happen.

[@xSaraxMxNeffx]

@@Powered1Buttercup wait what happened to the current va?

[@TheLadyKemet]

I didn't read all the news, but supposedly he was transphobic, but let's remember that nowadays (I say this as a bisexual) everything is taken as misandric, transphobic, that you hate religious people, etc. @@xSaraxMxNeffx

[@Moonlightgirlful]

I would love this ! Although, I kinda hope Cullen won't return since : he has been through enough. BUT if he do return, I hope that we meet his family or sth ! BUT then again, it would probably be a new character.....In conclusion; I just hope Cullen stays alive for ever.

[@CamillaDrakenborg]

Ive been gaming since my early teens, in my 40´s now but never have I come across a character with such a voice that it has me giggling like a 14 year old with a crush lol Its ridiculous! I think I have a thing for Astarion :P

[@siraksleepmastersiraksleep9814]

That's so cute!! I'm a very stern 28 person but everytime i hear that voice i can't help but blush and giggle! I agree it's a little ridiculous but some things can't be helped :)

[@daina3628]

OMG SAME. I am crushing so hard 😅

[@daniellins4114]

Y’all are so cute! ☺️

[@finchythepirate]

Currently romancing Astarion as my very genderqueer tiefling bard and honestly, as a bi non-binary person, it feels really good just existing in that universe where no one ever questions your gender presentation or your sexuality.

[@nunpho]

Its good to know that the actors etc behind these characters are so nice and actually have a brain.

[@candy_torchic]

I’m romancing him as my genderqueer tiefling bard too, it’s lovely to be able to present however you wish and be treated as normal. Not all games have a non-binary option, I’m very happy to be able to play a character like myself :)

[@kaddissventorum4149]

Gender queer tieflings ftw! ( not a bard I'm a sorc/cleric main 💜 )

[@hhgnggnjngnmnnh5291]

@@kaddissventorum4149hey, i’m a sorcerer main too! currently have the game open with my nonbinary tiefling leading the way (and with astarion romanced) :)

[@v_bunny]

i love the solidarity here, esp when we’re not reduced to labels such as either gay or straight. there’s so much more in between that people forget about, it’s very frustrating. he’s just a being capable of loving everyone and everything, a wonderful way to live

[@taro8095]

god i love when games that are normally "playersexual" just bite the bullet and explicitly state that a character is openly queer. after all, it's a fantasy game, why would it be a big deal when there's literally dragons flying around, y'know? i just wish actual people could also adopt that mindset. there's no such thing as "shoving it down someone's throat" when cisgender + heterosexual characters have been (and still are) the majority. as another pan/bi person, the representation is wonderful, and i certainly tell there was something fruity about him. takes one to know one i suppose!

[@sylverscale]

​@@ehdontmindmeThey meant Astarion. Not sure if you're talking about Neil but OP wasn't.

[@Ehrill942]

You can clearly tell that Astarion plays for both teams solely based on his "conquests", putting player's input aside, and it fits him well as a character. Also, his orientation isn't all what he represents. It actually matters little, he simply happens to be that and this is an example of good writing. Many of these "shoving it down someone's throat" people need that exactly, good writing, not walking personification of homosexuality, pansexuality or anything else that represents a minority, by which I mean characters that are one-dimentional and stereotypical. Media kept failing at introducing representation in a thought through manner for years and we can observe the fruits of it, people overreacting whenever sth queer is brought up to the table.

[@daina3628]

The thing is... When you remove the sexual orientation, what you're left with is--PEOPLE. Not gay people, or bi people, but cute people, funny people, sexy people. Or boring people. I'm a straight woman who is trying to romance Astarion with a female character (my first playthrough), but I squeed like a girl when Lae'zel propositioned me out of the blue, and I'm quite looking forward to the next long rest when she'll "come to take what's hers". I don't care about her sexual orientation. I don't care about MY sexual orientation. Lae'zel is hot. Who cares about anything else. But when they're "shoving it down your throat", they're doing the opposite, they're turning people into gay people, trans people, etc. They're adding more and more labels that divide and separate us, all in the name of "inclusion". They're selling the idea that you can't possibly relate to a character unless they're female, bi, blue eyes and blonde hair, just like you. They're putting people in smaller and smaller boxes, making it harder and harder for them to feel like they fit in. I prefer to keep myself in a very large "thinking creature" box, so I can relate to a one-handed, bearded female dwarf with Tourette's, if she's well written. The only way I couldn't (or probably wouldn't care to) relate to a gay male character is if they were nothing but a gay male, any more than I would care to relate to, I don't know, a character who is only a baseball player and nothing else, since I don't care about baseball. Not to say that there's anything wrong with a character being only a gay male, but in that case, I'm not the target audience any more than I would be for a baseball drama. But my queer friends actively seek out such material, and I'm glad there is more and more of it they day. Still doesn't make ME the target audience, and what they're doing is trying to convince me that I should be, and then blaming me for not enjoying it after. I understand representation is important. I love a good female character. But the problem with female characters isn't that there aren't any, but that they are, especially in literature and video games, mostly written by men who don't care much about writing them well, and they're just breasting boobily through a story. The last thing I think when I see that kind of character is "well, at least she's female." I'd actually prefer it if she wasn't. No one should be "represented" by an annoying, badly written caricature, not women, not minorities, not queer people. No one.

[@diorsse]

@@Ehrill942 tbf his "conquests" weren't really of his own choice so i don't think that really matters (except for sebastian ofc where it's kinda implied he was more than just a conquest to astarion)

[@Fuzz82]

@@daina3628 I know right. I do love how Astarion is really like that flamboyant gay character. Becausse it fits how he is. And Shadowheart only shows some subtile bisexual vibes. Which is also fitting. It really doesn't have to be like 'oooh I'm trans/gay/queer', becausse that is shoving it down people's throats. It shows itself when it is well written. And it is a role playing game. You can imagine the character as however you like.

[@remalythvo7209]

I was telling my friend about this actually, that the characters are so well designed that it's difficult to simplify them in two words and get all that you need to know. That's how well they went in depth with their characters!

[@serfurgiblurge]

It’s so cool that Astarion is Pan and that it isn’t a big deal, makes my little Pan heart happy 💖💛💙

[@svoba4af]

Since romance is optional, of course such things are not a big deal. I´ve noticed that a good chunk of players see all the companions as bi but well, while they all certainly are playersexual, only Astarion has has comments hinting he ´s into both men and women. Once you learn he´s pretty much hedonistic noble personified, you can safely assume that one part of it is... not limiting his options :D

[@pinkpastelhearts]

oh lord im pan too this made me so damn happy, gosh now i want to know heisenberg's (he's probably the same in a quiet way ) 💖 and neil is so cute & handsome with his hair ruffled like that (i know it's from the hat, but damn still hotness overload)

[@alverygrissom2544]

hopefully he's actually pansexual and not playersexual, i hate playersexual characters

[@guts2630]

He's done right. Hate when character's entire personality is based on their sexuality. Like Neil said "He's theatrical, but he's not camp."

[@tangchan6221]

Can you fry some eggs for me guys ?

[@NyxInfinite]

Neil Newbon is such a gift to this world.

[@notsocaringwolf.3763]

This guy should definitely voice Vision from Marvel comics.

[@j-dawg4774]

Astarion: "I don't give a damn as long as it tastes good."

[@lilmg1288]

Is it just me or he’s really hot?!!

[@ThePokemonBeader]

He is so sweet and kind. I have made it a life goal to meet this man

[@Nemamka]

Oh my god I adore him. To be so matter of fact about this issue in a calm, kindness-oriented way is just *chef's kiss * so incredibly validating. If I met this man in person I would feel so safe, like, in general in the world. Just seeing his face now sets me on a course of peace of mind. I need more people like that, in whose eyes I'm alright.

[@Littlepup93]

Astarion is just a huge theater kid.

[@thearcanamodernau8130]

I kinda just assumed that most sentient beings in Faerun were bi/pansexual, and the labels "straight/gay/lesbian/pan/bi" themselves meant very little because being a straight person is considered the exception rather than the norm.

[@valkeakirahvi]

Depends on when too. There have been periods wjen bisexuality was the expected orientation. Case in point: most ancient cultures. It was expected for every guy to want a straight marriage, but also be sexually interested in pretty young guys.

[@daniellins4114]

That’s an interesting viewpoint

[@MeAnINFP]

David from Schitt’s Creek is also pansexual. I find both him and Astarion very interesting and likable. I also know a performer who is flamboyant but straight, and happily married to his wife, despite people making fun of him in the past about being gay because of the way he acts. (Also, all these people in the comments still saying they think he’s gay lmao, don’t)

[@samf.s.7731]

I mean, we know why this is... Society has the scariest "norms" when it comes to being a heterosexual man, it just does. They intend to continue to enforcing them, and I'm not happy. In a time where people are actively fighting those stereotypes, and attempting to get men to "chill out" about them, it's really not helping when people come out insisting that a character who's pansexual is actually gay. And it's just Astarion who gets this, Shadowheart (Who's also a favorite of mine) doesn't get the same crap...despite being the most popular romanceable character. And of course, non of the others either.

[@heresfrankbetches921]

Great voice coming from a great man

[@rokanwood7458]

bg3 is representation done right. no one is treated differently. everything is completely normal and no one points it out. it was a pleasant surprise when i saw isobel and aylin and they were treated like any other couple (because that's how it should be) or astarion having liked a guy, or that girl at sharess' caress whose favourite client was a woman. and let's not forget nocturne

[@daniellins4114]

Ok, just because I’m obsessed with finding every NPC, who’s the girl at Sharesse’s Caress and who is Nocturne?

[@crazboy84]

He needs his own podcast or something, his voice is so easy on the ears

[@Just-A-Gamer1524]

As a newly self accepted bisexual.... I really, really don't want a "manly" man or the typical moncho man. I'm more likely to want to date a guy like Zevran or now Astarion in reality, so it's not a surprise when I romanced these characters. I feel more comfortable. If best boi was full on gay like Dorian, then ok. You're still best boi but I'm going to be protective af lolol so idk why people want to argue over this topic. If he wasn’t supposed to be romanced by X gender then it wouldn't have been an option.

[@GrievousSpino]

Hey, I can relate :) I'm a newly self accepted bi guy too + love Zevran & Astarion to BITS!!! Them 2 made me realize what my orientation was in the first place (well, Zevran laid the groundwork and Astarion solidified it -- that I love feminine men haha)

[@Tatig55]

Someone commented that he looks like Troy Baker’s evil twin and I haven’t been able to look at him the same way ever since.

[@MasumiSeike]

AH DAMN IT.... Now I can't unsee it xD

[@jexxer]

Why the evil twin, though?

[@ewyna8409]

Looking at some of the comments, i find it quite... interesting to see some people coming on a video of Astarion's actor confirming that Astarion is pansexual to claim to know better than the man who played the character for 4 years and that "nuhu, he's 100% gay / would be 100% gay if he wasn't pan". Stephen Rooney said the base concept for Astarion was "medieval Deadpool" (Deadpool is pan btw) and Neil Newbon has said David Bowie (who was bisexual) was one of his inspiration while playing the character. He even romances Astarion with a female character named Bow'ee in his own playthrough. But let's see the arguments generally used to prove he's gay or has a huge preference for men (buckle up it's going to be long) : He talks about "handsome virgin" and "prince-type". Well in the context of the game these are very much gender neutral. Handsome can be used for both men and women, and it is used in game for both, like Minthara calling herself handsome or Karlach calling a female Tav "handsome and talented" for instance. As for the "prince-*type*", nobility titles in game usually default to their masculine form, even for female characters like Duke (not Duchess) Stellmane who is a woman, Duke Wyll who can name a fem Tav Duke (still not Duchess) or Gortash telling a fem Durge that the two of them will rule as Kings (not King and Queen). In that instance Astarion is also talking about what we consider irl as the archetype of a fairy tale prince, just like when he calls Volo a "Damsel". Not to mention in both cases, considering the tone he uses, the context of these lines and in the case of the "prince-type" comment, the other things he says in the very same conversation, he's very likely just being sarcastic anyways. He has slept with more men than women for the past 200 years. Yes and he’s very clear it wasn’t by choice and he didn’t enjoy it. He compares himself to a prostitute and especially as Origin Astarion he can have an interesting chat with Nym and Sorn Orlith at SC where he tells them “I was once in your position, in a way” and when Sorn asks him how it was, all of Astarion’s answers are negative 1/”I try not to think about it any longer”, 2/”Just what I had to do to get by.”, 3/”I was forced into it, but it sounds as if you weren’t” and last but not least 4/”Horrible. Unfathomably so.” He also says himself about these relationships and his conquests things like “I spent two hundred years using my body to lure pretty things back for my Master. What I wanted, how I felt about what I was doing, it never mattered.”, “I've gotten on my back ten thousand times or more, and forgotten half of them.", "Enjoyment ? That didn't come into it. I never had a choice. I have bedded thousands of people. Half of them I barely remember. Most of them didn't even grant me temporary bliss.” or “They weren't lovers... not in the way that you mean. They wanted me more than I wanted them.” Then, since he’s often brought up, and people seem to really like to call him Astarion’s ex-lover, let’s talk about Sebastian. He was not a lover, only a victim. Astarion remembers him because he was one of the first and one of the few who didn’t abuse him and he feels guilty for ruining this nice man’s life, but even so, when meeting him as Origin Astarion there are a few interesting things we can see. First Astarion needs to succeed a DC 18 check to even remember his name or pass a DC 10 check to dig it from Sebastian’s head, all the other options are some variations of “I can’t remember”. And then, the only dialogue option implying he was even attracted to Sebastian is a DC 20 [DECEPTION] check. So, if these relationships are supposed to show a huge preference for men, what he himself says does a pretty good job at showing the opposite to be quite honest… Besides, considering he was picking up his victims in taverns and brothels, it’s not really surprising that a majority of them would be men, regardless of any preference. He probably simply had more opportunities with men than women in that kind of places. Now let’s see what happens during the game. He expresses in various dialogues that he finds both the male and female companions attractive, but his actions seem to lean slightly more towards the ladies actually. He consistently flirts with Shadoheart and Lae’zel the most out of all the companions through all 3 acts, but he can also invite Karlach on a date or Jaheira to a threesome with a romanced player (though to be fair, for the one with Jaheira, i think he's mostly being sarcastic here too). He can sleep with Lae’zel at the Tieffling/Goblin party if the player doesn’t sleep with any of them. She’s the only character outside of the player’s he will actually sleep with during the events of the game. He can also invite Alfira to his tent, and if not romanced he’ll flirt with the girl in the sewers. If he catches the player cheating on him with Mizora, UA will admit that he would’ve been interested in sleeping with her too before, and AA will admit that he’d be interested if she offered, complain that he wasn’t invited to join and ask to be invited if there’s a next time. So he is clearly written and acted as pansexual, he shows attraction towards both men and women and it’s not even clear if he even has a preference. In the end he falls for Tav/Durge no matter what’s in their pants because they’re the first person in 200 years who shows him genuine care and kindness, who isn’t with him only for his body but likes him for who he is and with whom he can form a real, safe and loving relationship.

[@nocturna76]

Yes, I actually read this entire comment and I appreciate it and agree with just about everything you said so thank you for posting it!

[@ewyna8409]

@@nocturna76 Thanks for reading all of it. I'll have to admit, it's really bothering me that people keep calling him gay (as in strictly attracted to men) when the people who created and brought him to life have all confirmed he's pansexual, and it is very visible in game that he swings both ways.

[@mofylover]

200923 am i falling for Neil now? he is so calming

[@kirksmith2695]

Wow I could picture Astarion saying exactly that too.

[@interlude3481]

I'm glad that girls finally got an attractive man to romance in games, usually romances for women were treated with a pinch of salt. Have fun girls 😉

[@kyliec0yote]

Thank you, king

[@bateshell2]

Lycans and gentlemen!

[@DL-gd2kv]

We thank you for waiting

[@exmatilda982]

@@DL-gd2kv and now let the games begin!

[@exmatilda982]

@Fulano Jubiscreudo get ready!

[@sayidahshah5293]

@@exmatilda982 10

[@exmatilda982]

@@sayidahshah5293 9

[@kiratheelf772]

What's fascinating too is that a huge part of Astarion's story *is* his sexuality, but not *who he sleeps with.* Its his literal sexuality. His relationship with sex throughout his life, and how it's altered and changed and become tainted because of the way he was forced to use it in his past. They managed to make that a big part if his character, and still make it irrelevant what gender he chooses to sleep with. So it is wild when people try to emphasize "he's gay, he doesn't like girls" when they are missing the point completely

[@okamiseele8614]

I loved the scene where Astarion meets up with Sebastian again. It wasn't a massive scene, just a couple lines, and then the story moves on. I love that it wasn't a big deal that Asta was pan, it just was.

[@kellevichy]

I don't know if we can count instances of rape in someone's sexuality - Astarion was forced to have sex with his victims and that's what Sebastian was - a victim - not a lover and not an ex - just as Astarion was a victim.

[@garden_creature]

He was made to go out and seduce people to take them back to Cazador, by the amount of regret and softness in that scene it's heavily implied that Astarion was genuinely in love with Sebastian, but was so afraid of Cazador and unable to disobey him that he still went through with tricking him. Heartbreaking.@@kellevichy

[@cj1986x]

@@kellevichy Yeah. As a pan person myself, a lot of people in the comments here conflating pansexuality with other things--from free sexuality to YOLO--is very uncomfortable, especially given how deeply misunderstood and misrepresented pansexuality has long been, so it's quite bad to suggest his pansexuality would be a factor in his victimizing of others while under Cazador's control. TBF I don't feel like the idea of Astarion being pan was very present in the game at all, I certainly wouldn't have known he was suppose to be without this clip, and I don't think the writers did a lot, if any, research. If they actually talked to any pan people, or if any pan people contributed to Astarion's story, I sadly do not see it. And while my head canon appreciates Neil saying he's pan, I don't think just sticking that label on a character without an effort to make that orientation recognizable to pan people IRL is great. I feel this was a bit of a missed opportunity, honestly, because a lot of trauma Astarion apparently experienced--like being fetishized or being expected to be willing toward any kind of sexual experience regardless to his own boundaries, preferences and needs--are traumas many of us pan people actual experience in our relationships far too often because people think they know what pansexuality is without actually listening to pan people or even simply seeing us as valid.

[@ilmarziano]

I also personally love about Astarion that, while he is definitely sexually attracted to Tav, he doesn't really care what they look like, he fell in love because of their personality, their attitude towards him and the world, he loves them because they're kind, and they showed him that kindness that he was denied for two centuries

[@owentatham-brown8056]

Being campy doesn't necessarily make you gay. It can just mean you're a silly little guy. I think you should be able to have whatever headcannons you like but considering how thin pan/bi representation is sometimes it is nice to see some for once.

[@michaelvillarama7584]

Honestly both him and Bekka Prewitt are my current RE: Village VA crushes.

[@Riseofgamez]

Such a talented voice actor

[@wuftchan8299]

i feel like all his characters at their core have Neils voice

[@SRHtheHedgehog]

I honestly love having a huge cast of characters that just fall in love with you or don't and they couldn't care less what gender you are.

[@landiemoonkurshey5468]

He really looks like heisenberg but with short hair and beard

[@flamiaminu5536]

Astarion's sexuality is "yes"

[@Ragneidr]

It’s not entirely clear to me why many people consider him too feminine, I don’t see this femininity, facial features, behavior, yes there are moments, but nothing more. and when he takes away his theatricality, he is more masculine than many of the male characters in the camp

[@zandilar630]

Damn I love his voice...

[@radeladle]

same as me. just happy to be here man

[@realWorsin]

I am pretty sure he modeled the character after The Scarlet Pimpernel character played by Anthony Andrews who was a very flamboyant English/French aristocrat.

[@jinxed_tsuki]

Neil is so attractive without even trying, he looks so kind and good, and also that hairstyle looks so good on him

[@ILikeTittiesss]

"Neil with his hair down doesn't exist, he can't hurt you." Neil with his hair down :

[@thagooeyjuice]

Pansexual representation!!!! ❤

[@SuperMaaadio]

Jeez.. This man's voice is hot asf..

[@orelyosif5852]

Both can be good. Sexuality can be used to say something about the character. It was used properly in Cyberpunk with all romancable characters.

[@anatolydyatlov963]

I wish it was a common rule to say "agree" in this exact way when you agree with the other person

[@ArdannaL]

Just normalize it! Yes, there is nothing more annoying then having a characters sexuality shoved down our throats. I think it puts people off who would otherwise just not care. I wish more people understood that screaming about it is not how you make it normal.

[@jakeparkinson8929]

God, he needs to be an austin powers-like character in his next role. his swagger can even swoon the straightest of men.

[@daina3628]

TBF, all romancable companions seem to be pan. It's beautiful ❤

[@vazanere]

I was staring at his hair the entire time ngl.

[@coffeejellyash]

In 200 years, he has lost all concept of gender

[@Polina-ye3wh]

Man I alive for 240 years. He can’t be not a pan

[@daniellins4114]

He was not a pan, he was an elf vampire

[@Polina-ye3wh]

@@daniellins4114 badum-tsss

[@daniellins4114]

@@Polina-ye3wh ty, ty

[@th0rne_999]

I really prefer games with romances like these to just make everyone available to everyone. Unfortunately Dragon Age wasn't like that. I get why you would restrict them, because real people have defined preferences, but in a game that has at best 8 characters to romance, restricting it just makes it so a bunch of people won't find someone they both like and that likes them. And that's just kind of dumb, when they pay to have a good time including romances. Dragon Age and Mass Effect are some of my favourite games, but they're so guilty of making the interesting romances (except Dorian) straight. Like, maybe my Shep wants to smash a cute alien guy too, instead of boring human jocks? Maybe my Inquisitor wants to be with The Egg, but tbh I like Dorian more now, I forgive them. The point stands... don't restrict ya romances in games and you won't have to add more characters to appease people. Give everyone something to enjoy. There's no reason not to.

[@TartarossInc]

I agree. In the end, games are a fantasy mostly designed to give people a good time. And finding a romance in such a world always feels nice. So why limit the choices? I will always be sad that I can´t romance Judy as a male V in Cyberpunk without the help of mods (Even though everything is dubbed with the male voice when you enable it via mods, even the geman translation).

[@th0rne_999]

@@TartarossInc Yeah true. I feel like a lot of people complain about straight folks wanting to romance Judy, cause technically she's represtation, but I find it hypocritical asking for straight characters to be pan or player-sexual and then denying the same thing to straight folks, just because there's already a lot of straight romance out there. I don't see the harm in it, as long as someone doesn't take it too far and think they can force real people to "change sexuality" or some weird shit like that. So I get why people have problems with it, but I don't agree with assuming the worst about everyone because of that. If someone is completely against having characters be player-sexual, no matter what angle you're coming from, I can respect that. I just think it's unnecessary and restricting.

[@larapedan6541]

I hate that they made Dorian gay

[@valkeakirahvi]

I don't think it's hypocritical. Rather, I think it's quite fair that the straights to sometimes experience getting restricted by their sexuality, and having to play another gender if they want that romance. It's something queer folk have to do all the time, and it could be a good experience to have. But honestly, I'd rather have a world where all characters were pan, because so much media is still made only for the cis straights in mind.

[@paulinas9215]

I mean… it really makes sense. Imagine explaining Cazador that you will only bring a fraction of potential victims due to your sexual preferences 💀 I assumed it has s lot to do with being Vampire too. Raphael explains they ‘have no arousals and appetites of ordinary men’ and turned down Astarion spills that feeding is the most ‘carnal pleasure he got from you anyways’ so yeah no matter your form (as long as you’re not a gnome XD) you’re probably attractive to him in a same way just as various cuisines have their appeal to most ppl. Also I never read Astarion as giving supergay vibes unless you deal in Absolute -pun intended and expect to have gigachad styled characters in game XD. I have a strong feeling that he was designed to look like an androgynous icon David Bowie (even his voice reminds me of him) and his flamboyant, theatrical expression is more of a vampire in poet shirt rather than gay man. I mean masculinity is expressed different in period dramas no?

[@theVincident]

I saw a post that described Astarion as a mix between David Bowie and Tim Curry in Rocky Horror, and I feel like that's right on the dot for him haha

[@jaimebibelot4398]

I can see where Astarion gets his good looks ❤

[@maddragon3076]

I like his voice

[@wolflithay6380]

I FUCKING LOVEEEEE ASTARION SOOO MUCH HE IS A PAN KING!!!!! Neil really outdid himself with Astarion UGH I JUST LOVE IT!!!

[@dtulip1]

Pretty sure pansexual is THE thing about vampires...any neck in a storm so to speak 😆

[@melodybench325]

i clicked this thinking he was going to talk about ALIGNMENT like in dnd (lawful/neutral/chaotic, good/neutral/evil) but nope 😅 thats ok though this was also nice to watch

[@nocturna76]

he was actually asked that on his stream years ago, back during early access, & he smirked & answered 'chaotic naughty,' it was quite hilarious if i do say so myself 😂

[@melodybench325]

​@@nocturna76hahaha, i'm sure it was quite amusing.

[@thelastcosmonaut]

don't... touch me

[@DrXtoph]

Love it!

[@aninha_coelho]

Eu amaria se ele fizesse um áudio para alarme interpretando o astarion...eu acordaria sorrindo

[@teagenthetiefling5296]

Dragon Age restricted it by gender and race. I find BG3 much better in that anyone can romance anyone.

[@GarredHATES]

Astarion is Astarion

[@Tracy_Motel]

Such a daddy

[@williamharris3409]

I’m sorry…. Did he mention dragon age… 0-0

[@Cahos_Rahne_Veloza]

Is it Acceptable that I am actually picturing Astarion as I watch this video, expecting he'd ask for a nibble at any moment? To which I would gladly allow 😊

[@talynhastime9343]

I love his messy hair 🥰

[@Ravenhill171]

I KNEW he was pan! I had it in my urine!!!!!!111elf And he just has the most perfect voice ;D

[@themikatoon]

Unfortunately in Dragon Age you CAN'T romance whoever you wish. Some characters are hard wired as straight (Blackwall and Cassandra) and some as lesbian and gay (Dorian and Sara ). And some will only date their race and opposite sex (Solas, and Cullen+he will date female elves)

[@Marispider]

He must have been talking about DA2, since iirc the only hard-wired character there is Sebastian who will only romance a female Hawke. The rest are player-sexual. (You can headcanon them as bi/pan, I personally do, but there are certain things - like Anders only talking about how he had a relationship with another man if you flirt with him as a male Hawke, if you romance him as a female Hawke he never mentions it - that makes it seem like you're meant to headcanon them as whatever sexuality you want, even if that's straight or gay) Both systems have good things going for them, in different ways.

[@DepressionOfMyCat]

I'm ase6uell and I love all the se6ual scene in the game hahahaha, awesome

[@zenfrodo]

I can't believe this is even an issue for anyone. It's so obvious that Asatarion's orientation is "anything that moves."

[@nocturna76]

that's an odd thing to say if you know his whole story 🤔

[@zenfrodo]

@@nocturna76 I do know the story, but considering you can romance him with *any* PC, no matter what species/race/gender you are -- it's safe to say "anything that moves" is the orientation of ALL the origin npcs.

[@linneakou]

It’s so strange to see him with sleeves

[@vitoriamariamarquesdasilva8296]

ele é tão lindo que dói

[@Exceltiaawesome]

I cant believe i sniffed him out as pan from the second I saw him

[@mev9459]

Isn't everyone Pan in BG3?

[@svoba4af]

They're playersexual. But aside from Astarion, they don't flirt with other companions of the same gender. Of course, that necessarilly doesn't prove anything and it's up to your interpretation.

[@mev9459]

@@svoba4af Ok, now I get it. Thanks!

[@missingno6216]

I think shadowheart flirts with karlach as well

[@karlyl7616]

I just can't help but feel like the term playersexual is largely a product of heteronormativity as it's being applied to bg3. Just because Lae'zel will choose to sleep with either Wyll or Astarion on the night of the party doesn't automatically exclude her from being attracted to other genders as well. Just because Astarion mentions his attraction to men doesn't mean he's not also attracted to other genders. And honestly, I've never seen Shadowheart really flirt with anyone other than Karlach (the iconic "she looks like she could carry me to safety" is a favorite of mine haha). Yet most people don't have a problem seeing her as attracted to men, and some even argue that she seems straight. Why? It's honestly really fascinating, albeit sad, to see this playyersexual phenomenon because in the end it hinges on heterosexuality being the norm, the default, which erases individual experience. Do I wish the characters explicitly expressed attraction to multiple genders more often? Yeah, I do. But does the lack of that mean they're nothing more than playersexual? I don't think so, personally. We're seeing snapshots of their lives and experiences, not a comprehensive view.

[@coolstorybrooooo7643]

I think he means bisexual.

[@GrievousSpino]

Yeah. Pan is just a specific term some people like to use -- but pansexuality is under the bi umbrella. (I wish he'd used 'bi', personally)

[@The_FemaleTitan]

All I hear is Heisenberg’s voice lol

[@grusia]

really good look

[@innerstar1619]

Heisenberg deserve a solo game! also alcina,Donna,moreu

[@katielulu]

Astarion is my boi

[@SaruCharmed]

I love when games make every character bisexual.

[@iriska_kiskan7675]

But then individuality and preferences are lost.

[@SaruCharmed]

@@iriska_kiskan7675 Well that's just not true. In real life, every bi person is different and many if not most do have a preference, but the reason for doing this in a game is because a game should cater to the player, and it allows the player to court whoever they want, regardless of character customization. Imagine if the NPC rejected you for having short hair, or a big nose, or whatever. I think that'd piss off a lot of people.

[@iriska_kiskan7675]

​@@SaruCharmed Yes, I used to be angry that some NPCs had limited affairs in the Inquisition, but now I understand that it's even better this way. And honestly, it would be cool if everyone has their own preferences for race and gender. Because that's how characters are made more alive, with their fetishes. And when the characters are accessible to everyone, even to seemingly heterosexual companions, it looks ridiculous. For example, when Gale tells Tav that you're beautiful and all that, even though you're a scary dwarf. And this is from Gale, who had an affair with Mystra. So, not all characters should be available for any race and gender.

[@Suzanne_sf]

Astarion is not going to like this, but Neil Newbon is just so sweet!

[@mike0rr]

I thought BG3 did a great job with making sexuality not a spotlight but just a detail. Almost preempts the trolls and bigots. Like why are you doting on 1 small detail about them? They did an amazing job on this and the game in general.

[@Trisbreya]

The pansexual representation 💖💛💙

[@doraveronika]

It's a rare sight! Love to see it in the game, but to hear Neil talk about it is just perfect. He's forever in my heart.

[@LaVerdaderaLaura]

Agredeeed!!!😂❤

[@AtomicNutNetwork]

Kinda sounds like wheatley or is it just me

[@LadyAstarionAncunin]

Babes...Astarion is camp. And we stan. But he definitely _is_ camp.

[@robertasgar6387]

Isn't everybody pansexual in bg3? I mean the whole party including Tav?

[@iriska_kiskan7675]

And this is bad, it means that there are no personal preferences(

[@F89_]

mmmmm based.

[@Henry-kz4gn]

dude looks more like astarion than astarion