The Critical Role cast recently sat down with Collider's Steve Weintraub to discuss the highly anticipated fourth season of "The Legend of Vox Machina," currently streaming on Prime Video. The interview, following a screening of the first two episodes, delved into the new season's narrative, character developments, and teased the status of the fifth and final season. Cast members Matthew Mercer, Sam Riegel, Taliesin Jaffe, Liam O’Brien, Ashley Johnson, Marisha Ray, Laura Bailey, and Travis Willingham shared insights, Easter eggs, and humorous anecdotes from their extensive experience with the series.

Season 4 picks up a year after the devastating Chroma Conclave, finding the ragtag team of heroes reconvening under mysterious circumstances, all pointing to a cult dedicated to “The Whispered One.” The cast highlighted the opportunity for their characters to have undergone significant personal journeys, discovering new love and purpose in their time apart. A major point of discussion was the team's ability to maintain a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score across all seasons, a testament to their dedication and the show's quality. Sam Riegel also confirmed that the fifth and final season is more than halfway through its recording process, though it will take several more months for completion and subsequent global dubbing and release.

The interview included a segment called "Get to Know Your Vox Machina Cast Member," where the cast answered various personal and professional questions. Matthew Mercer, known for his multitude of characters, admitted his "shortcut" to getting into character is often just finding a voice on the drive to the session. Sam Riegel shared a funny encounter with John Candy, while Taliesin Jaffe revealed his current sci-fi favorite as "Max Headroom." Liam O’Brien discussed the daunting task of performance capturing Gollum for "Shadow of Mordor," acknowledging the big footsteps he was following. Ashley Johnson recounted a particularly embarrassing audition for the film version of "Hairspray," where she repeatedly missed her musical cue.

Creative choices and production challenges were also a prominent theme. Laura Bailey and Marisha Ray touched upon subtle character details, with Ray and Willingham humorously detailing their work voicing the monstrous Kraken in Season 4. Willingham explained the decision to have the Kraken speak in a luring, familiar voice sublayered with a deeper, monstrous tone. The animators at Titmouse, despite initial reluctance due to the scale of the monster, were instrumental in bringing it to life. The cast also discussed pre-scene rituals, with Bailey mentioning burping and singing in the car, and Willingham explaining the complexity of regional accent work.

Character growth since Season 1 was a key area of focus for the cast. Laura Bailey expressed her enjoyment in Vex becoming more vulnerable, contrasting with her initial "hardass" demeanor. Taliesin Jaffe echoed this sentiment for Percy, noting his softer side. Marisha Ray joked about Keyleth's growth, proudly stating that her character doesn't "barf" this season. Liam O’Brien highlighted the positive influence of Keyleth on Vax over their year apart. When asked about hypothetical apology videos, Sam Riegel humorously suggested Scanlan would need to apologize for "everything," while Laura Bailey quipped about apologizing for being "so hot."

The discussion also ventured into the physically demanding aspects of voice acting. Matthew Mercer cited screaming as an orc for four-hour sessions in "Shadow of Mordor" as his toughest vocal role, often tasting blood. Sam Riegel mentioned playing Starscream, whose very name implies vocal strain. Liam O’Brien recalled portraying a rage-filled god in "Asura’s Wrath," with many lines consisting solely of screams. Taliesin Jaffe described a scene in "Grand Theft Auto" requiring him to simulate being on fire for 26 seconds, leading to a bloody cough. Travis Willingham recounted losing his voice after the intense Kevdak and Grog fight in Season 2 of Vox Machina, while Laura Bailey shared similar struggles with sustained Super Saiyan power-up screams for "Dragon Ball Z." Marisha Ray recalled a "Far Cry" session filled with psycho baddie screams that almost brought her to tears.

Other humorous and insightful moments included Travis Willingham's Grog-like summary of Season 4 ("Grog. Beer. Buddies."), Laura Bailey teasing new dynamics between Vex and Keyleth, and Ashley Johnson cautiously discussing Pike's faith journey in what she declared her favorite season. Liam O’Brien, when asked what Vax would do with a day free from destiny, playfully suggested "sky sex." Taliesin Jaffe relished Percy's "needlessly cutting" lines, and Matthew Mercer, after voicing numerous characters, found it freeing to portray Trinket the bear, even joking about Trinket finally speaking and asking, "Can I stay with you?"

The interview concluded with the cast urging viewers to watch new episodes of "The Legend of Vox Machina" Season 4, releasing every Wednesday on Prime Video, and encouraging them to share the show with friends to ensure its continued success.