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Jennifer English
Hey everyone, Alex from the THOUSIF INCORPORATED team here.
Last night at The Game Awards 2025, the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles lit up when Jennifer English took home Best Performance for her role as Maelle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
The crowd went wild, and her co-star Ben Starr was jumping out of his seat with excitement.
If you played Expedition 33 – the Game of the Year winner that swept nine awards – you know Maelle’s voice hits you right in the heart.
She is tough, broken, and full of fire, and Jennifer brought her to life in a way no one else could.
I have replayed those key scenes a dozen times, and each one gives me chills.
In a year packed with amazing games, Jennifer’s win feels right.
Let us dive into her story, how she landed Maelle, and why this role means so much to her.
Who Is Jennifer English? A Voice Acting Legend
Jennifer English is not new to stealing the show.
She has been in the Game for over 15 years, starting with prominent roles that fans still talk about.
Her breakout role was Morrigan in Dragon Age: Origins, released in 2009.
That witchy, sarcastic mage became iconic, and Jennifer’s sharp delivery made her unforgettable.
Fans loved how she mixed mystery with bite – it set the tone for her career.
Then came Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3.
That character wrestles with faith, secrets, and tough choices, and Jennifer poured real emotion into every line.
Players connected deeply, sharing stories of how Shadowheart’s arc changed them.
She even won praise at award shows before, like the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 for Maelle – talk about a hot streak!
Jennifer’s style? Raw and real. She records from home studios, grinding as many voice actors do.
In her TGA speech, she shouted out to everyone hustling in small setups, chasing dreams.
Her voice shifts easily – from fierce fighter to quiet heartbreak.
It is why directors keep calling her back.
Discovering Maelle: The Heart Of Expedition 33
Maelle is one of six heroes in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a turn-based RPG set in a dark, beautiful world inspired by old France.
Every year, a Paintress paints a number on a giant rock, and anyone who hits that age vanishes.
This year? 33.
The team sets out to stop her, facing wild monsters and hard truths along the way.
Maelle is the young fighter with a rapier, switching stances like a pro – offence for significant damage, defence to tank hits.
However, she is more than meets the eye.
She has lost family to the Paintress, carries guilt, and grows through bonds with the team.
Jennifer nailed that mix: anger that cracks into hope, whispers that break your heart.
In interviews, Jennifer stated that she received the audition through her agent.
She read lines blind, not knowing the Game.
“Maelle felt alive right away,” she shared.
The directors at Sandfall Interactive loved her take – fierce but fragile.
They cast her on the spot.
Recording Sessions: Sweat, Tears, And Magic
Voice work for Expedition 33 was not easy.
Jennifer recorded over the course of months, often working late nights.
The team also used motion capture, so she acted out full-body movements – sword swings, stances, and emotions pouring out.
One story: For a big emotional scene, she cried real tears after 20 takes. The director kept it raw, no polish.
She teamed up with Ben Starr (Verso) for duo scenes.
They spilt secrets in a YouTube chat – Ben’s deep, brooding Verso clashes perfectly with Maelle’s spark.
“We laughed and cried together,” Jennifer said.
Ben hyped her win online: “She earned every bit!”
Fun Fact: Jennifer pushed for an easy story mode. She worried some players might miss the tale if fights got too hard. Sandfall listened – added it day one. That is her caring side shining through.
Trivia: Jennifer’s also a singer! She posts covers online, blending her talents. Morrigan fans joke her voice “haunts” games – now Maelle joins the club.
The TGA Moment: Tears And Standing Ovations
December 11, 2025, Peacock Theatre.
Geoff Keighley calls Best Performance.
Jennifer walks up, stunned.
“This is for every voice actor in home studios,” she says, voice cracking.
The crowd roars.
Clips went viral, Ben Starr’s reaction stole hearts, too.
Expedition 33 won a total of nine awards: GOTY, Best Direction, Narrative, Art, Music, Indie, Debut Indie, RPG, and Performance.
Record-breaking!
Fans on X cheered: “Jennifer as Maelle changed my life!”
One post: “From BG3 to this – queen!”
Why Maelle And Jennifer Resonate So Much
Players love Maelle because she is real.
Not a perfect hero – flawed, growing.
Jennifer’s voice sells it: raspy shouts in battle, soft talks by the camp.
In one scene (no spoilers), her pain hits like a truck.
Forums buzz: “Maelle’s arc is peak storytelling.”
Her win proves voice acting matters.
In cutscene-heavy games like Expedition 33, voices glue it together.
Jennifer elevates scripts, making you care.
Post-win, sales spiked – new players discovering her magic.
Fan Love Pours In After The Win
X exploded.
Posts like: “Jennifer English deserved it!
Maelle is my fave.” Streamers replayed scenes. Reddit threads: 9K upvotes on her speech. Even haters admitted: “Okay, her performance slaps.”
One fan: “Expedition 33 swept because of gems like this.”
With Verso’s Drafts DLC out now – free new fights, photo mode – folks share Maelle screenshots. Perfect timing!
Jennifer’s Impact On Gaming Voices
This win cements Jennifer as a top-tier player.
From indie darlings to AAA, her range inspires.
Young actors DM her: “You made me chase this dream.”
She replies, shares tips.
Gaming needs more like her – passionate, kind.
Expedition 33’s success (day-one Game Pass hit) shows small teams can shine.
Sandfall’s 30 folks created a world that feels huge.
Jennifer’s part made it breathe.
In her words: “Maelle changed my life too.” Fans agree.
There you have it, folks – Jennifer English’s road to TGA glory via Maelle.
If you have not played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, grab it now (PS5, Xbox, PC).
That DLC’s waiting!
Thanks for reading.
Drop your fave Maelle moment below.
More from THOUSIF INCORPORATED coming – stay tuned!
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