Greedfall: The Dying World introduces antagonist Kurnaz, voiced by Neil Newbon
Publisher Nacon and developer Spiders have released a new trailer for GreedFall: The Dying World, showcasing antagonist Kurnaz, voiced by Neil Newbon.
The video with Neil Newbon can be found below, alongside a description of the character, via Nacon.
Greedfall: The Dying World is set to exit Early Access and release for PC (Steam) on March 10, followed by PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on March 12. In case you missed it, you can check out a gameplay overview trailer and release date information here.
Nacon and Spiders studio are pleased to share a new behind-the-scenes video on the development of the narrative RPG GreedFall: The Dying World. The video features Neil Newbon, the actor well-known for, among other things, his iconic role as Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, and who voices Kurnaz, the game’s main antagonist. Currently available in Early Access on Steam, GreedFall: The Dying World will be released in its final version on 10 March 2026 on PC and on 12 March 2026 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Finding the voice of a complex and formidable antagonist
Kurnaz can be a very cold and charismatic man. Highly intelligent, he knows exactly how to manipulate others to get what he wants. Coming from a modest background, he suffers from a certain Napoleonic complex, leading him to believe that he is superior to others. Above all, Kurnaz is characterised by his unwavering determination, which enables him to crush anyone who stands in his way. About Kurnaz, Neil Newbon says: "I think that confronting and defeating such an enigmatic adversary, who exercises relentless control and represents the ultimate threat to freedom, will give players a tremendous sense of accomplishment."
As for his interpretation of the character, Neil Newbon says he worked extensively with Damien Goodwin, who was the Performance Director on set. The two decided to give Kurnaz a sophisticated accent, but one that could betray his origins at times. In addition, actor Jason Isaacs served as a reference for Kurnaz's voice (Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter saga, Timothy Rattliff in season 3 of The White Lotus, etc.). Neil Newbon explains: “Even though the character is the main antagonist in the game, it was important for me not to portray him as a caricatured “villain”. I'm not here to judge him, but to tell his story.”
The exciting challenge of playing a character who is nothing like us
Although Neil Newbon points out that he and Kurnaz are radically different, the actor explains that he shares one quality with him: unwavering determination, which allows them to stay focused on their goals. He adds: “However, I find that playing a character who is very different from yourself is an exciting challenge for an actor, because it forces you to better understand the character and avoids an overly caricatured interpretation.”
A surprising supporting role
Neil Newbon also voices another character who is diametrically opposed to Kurnaz: Ingo. This secondary character can be likened to the archetype of Falstaff in Shakespeare's plays: a bit cowardly and opportunistic, but full of humour. The actor particularly enjoys being able to take on several roles within the same production, with one main role and a minor one. This allows him to get a fresher perspective on his roles, and try more original things with the secondary character. He adds: “Our references for his voice were a mix of Peter Ustinov, Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart. We had a lot of fun with this character, and I'd be curious to know if players will immediately recognise my voice when they meet Ingo!”
GreedFall: The Dying World is a narrative RPG which starts three years before the events of the first game. This time, you play as a native of Teer Fradee, uprooted by force from your island and taken to the continent of Gacane, the homeland of the renaigsa (‘foreigners’ in Yecht Fradí, the language of the natives from Teer Fradee). In this old world in a constant state of conflict, and ravaged by the Malichor plague and by the political scheming of various factions, you must regain your freedom and forge your own destiny. Tackle each challenge you face through diplomacy, cunning or your combat skills, and alongside your new-found allies, put an end to the dark schemes that threaten the continent and your island.
GreedFall: The Dying World is currently available in early access on PC (Steam), and will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2026, when the game fully comes out of early access.