When you think of a game like Baldur’s Gate 3, you might imagine it being influenced by other epic fantasy tales such as Lord of the Rings or classic RPGs like the previous Baldur’s Gate games.
Karlach, one of the best characters in the game, was instead inspired by a character from an HBO show. Titus Pullo from HBO’s cult classic, Rome, played by the late Ray Stevenson, was a big inspiration for her.
HBO’s Titus Pullo from Rome Was an Inspiration for Baldur’s Gate 3’s Karlach
In an interview with The Escapist, the actor behind Karlach revealed more about her various sources of inspiration. Samantha Béart, who did an excellent job voicing and proving motion capture for Karlach, talked in length about the various challenges of the extensive sessions, as well as her previous roles and how they compared to Baldur’s Gate 3.
Instead of the usual female icons like Sarah Connor or Ellen Ripley, the actor had a rather surprising inspiration. One of the big inspirations for the character was Titus Pullo. Rome was a historical drama series that aired in the mid-2000s.
It followed the lives of two soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, during the rise and fall of Julius Caesar. While the show itself was packed with a lot of politics and grand battles, it was the character dynamics and development that truly stood out. And among them, Pullo was a real standout.
Pullo was a heavy and brutish yet deeply soulful character. He was a man of action, often finding himself in the middle of fights, but also had moments of surprising softness. Pullo’s complexity and charm made him a fan favorite, despite his often-reckless behavior.
We Can See How Titus Pullo Inspired Karlach
Karlach was one of the many standout characters in Baldur’s Gate 3. Voiced by Samantha Béart, Karlach is a tiefling barbarian with a fiery spirit and a big heart. She’s a strong warrior, but beneath that tough exterior lies a character with a lot of depth and emotion.
Just like Pullo, Karlach is a character who combines strength with a soulful side. She’s a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, but she’s also someone who cares deeply about her friends and has a strong sense of justice. This duality makes her one of the most compelling characters in the game, much like Pullo was in Rome.
What’s particularly interesting about this inspiration is how it bridges two very different genres and mediums. Rome was a historical drama, grounded in real events and characters, while Baldur’s Gate 3 is a high-fantasy RPG filled with magic and monsters.
This also speaks to the impact of Ray Stevenson’s performance. Even years after the show ended, his portrayal of Pullo continues to inspire people and even other characters. For fans of both Rome and Baldur’s Gate 3, this connection is a nice little Easter egg. And for those who might be new to either, it’s a great reason to check out both the show and the game.
What do you think of this inspiration for Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3? Let us know in the comments.
