The Voice Behind the Beast: Will de Renzy-Martin on Auditioning for Rebel Wolves' Vampire RPG

Walking into an audition room is nerve-wracking for any actor. But for Will de Renzy-Martin, the stakes were raised significantly when he realized he was auditioning for the lead role in a project led by industry royalty. Rebel Wolves, the studio behind The Blood of Dawnwalker, is comprised of veteran developers who previously worked on The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077.

In a recent interview, de Renzy-Martin admitted that he became “slightly too excited” once he researched the development team prior to his audition. “I probably shouldn’t have looked that up,” he joked, recalling the pressure of performing in front of veteran RPG designers. Fortunately for both the actor and the studio, that nervous energy translated into a compelling performance as Coen, the game’s conflicted protagonist.

Finding Humility in a Cursed Lead

Coen is not a typical power-fantasy hero. As players will experience when they start the game, he begins as a mortal before being afflicted with the vampire curse. We have already seen glimpses of Coen before the curse, showcasing his grounded, human origins.

According to de Renzy-Martin, the heart of the performance lies in finding humility within a character who gains immense, terrifying power. Rather than leaning into the classic, theatrical vampire tropes, the actor focused on the internal conflict. Coen is a man trying to hold onto his humanity while fighting off a primal urge. This struggle is expected to be central to the gameplay, especially since the developers have emphasized the cost of duality in Coen’s day-and-night transformations.

A Collaboration with Witcher Veterans

The transition from human to vampire is expected to be a slow-burn narrative experience. Working with writers and directors who shaped Geralt of Rivia’s story allowed the actor to explore a nuanced emotional spectrum. The developers reportedly wanted a performance that feels raw and personal, emphasizing that Coen’s transformation is a tragic burden rather than a simple combat upgrade.

This focus on character depth ties into the broader design philosophy of the game, where choices carry heavy narrative weight. The contrast between Coen’s human past and his dark future will define how players interact with the world of Vale Sangora, shaping relationships and faction alignments.

Rebel Wolves is aiming for a release on September 3, 2026. For fans of dark fantasy, seeing how de Renzy-Martin brings Coen’s inner torment to life will be one of the most anticipated aspects of the narrative.