Why Villains Are Never Just Evil
45sMaggie Robertson's insight into villain complexity is a fresh perspective that sparks curiosity and debate.
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In this interview from gamescom 2026, actress Maggie Robertson discusses her role as the Red Nun in Remothered: Red's Legacy, exploring the character's vulnerability and tragic backstory. She also shares her approach to voice acting, emphasizing the physicality of performance, before participating in a lighthearted segment where she ranks video game moms.
[00:02]
Introduction and Character Appeal
Maggie Robertson is drawn to complex evil characters because they are never one-note; there is always a 'why' behind their actions, making them like puzzles to figure out.
[00:18]
Red Nun's Vulnerability
In Remothered: Red's Legacy, the Red Nun is portrayed with more vulnerability, and players will learn why she became the way she is, with tragedy in her past that will 'break a lot of hearts.'
[01:34]
Voice as a Physical Tool
Robertson explains that the voice is just one muscle in the body; projecting terror or rage is a physical experience, requiring full-body engagement in the booth to make emotions believable.
[02:03]
New Perspective on the Character
The game offers a different perspective on the Red Nun compared to previous titles, allowing Robertson to explore a wider range of emotions and phases of her life, adding nuance to her expression.
[02:56]
Horrific Past Traumas
Robertson notes that some of the Red Nun's past traumas are horrific, and while she isn't 'excited' for players to experience them, they will be the core of the horror.
[03:20]
Blind Ranking Game
The interview shifts to a game where Robertson blind ranks 10 video game moms, including Mama from Cooking Mama, Mother Miranda, and the player's mother from Pokémon, with humorous commentary.
[05:45]
Lady Dimitrescu Takes Top Spot
Robertson places Lady Dimitrescu at number 10, declaring her the best mom because '10 is the highest number,' showcasing her playful and self-referential humor.
The interview blends insights into character acting and voice performance with a fun, engaging segment, highlighting Maggie Robertson's talent and personality. It offers fans a deeper look at the upcoming Remothered title while entertaining with her rankings.
Mentioned in this Video
Study Flashcards (4)
Why does Maggie Robertson find villains interesting to play?
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Why does Maggie Robertson find villains interesting to play?
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Because they are never one-note; there is always a 'why' behind their actions, making them like puzzles.
00:02
How does Maggie Robertson approach using her voice to project terror?
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How does Maggie Robertson approach using her voice to project terror?
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She treats the voice as part of the whole body, making the performance a physical experience and utilizing her full body in the booth.
01:34
What new aspect of the Red Nun is explored in Remothered: Red's Legacy?
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What new aspect of the Red Nun is explored in Remothered: Red's Legacy?
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A more vulnerable side, with players learning why she is the way she is, including tragic past traumas.
00:18
Which video game mom did Maggie Robertson rank as number 10 (best)?
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Which video game mom did Maggie Robertson rank as number 10 (best)?
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Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil Village.
05:45
💡 Key Takeaways
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Villains as Puzzles
Provides insight into the actor's approach to complex characters, emphasizing depth over one-dimensionality.
00:02
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Voice Acting is Physical
Offers a practical technique for performers, highlighting the importance of full-body engagement in voice work.
01:34
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Horror Through Trauma
Reveals the narrative direction of the game, focusing on emotional horror rather than just jump scares.
02:56Full Transcript
[00:02] and I want you to blank rank them. >> Oh god. Okay. >> Hi, I'm Maria and I'm joined by the iconic Maggie Robertson, queen of the red nun and remothered red nun legacy. What's kind of like drawing you
[00:18] to these complex evil characters? There's something that's like a drawing Well, I think villains are interesting because it would be a mistake to play them as one note. And I think especially with
[00:33] how they've written the red nun in Remothered, we're really getting to see a much more vulnerable side of her. She comes, we're We're learning more about why she is the way that she is. And that's what I like
[00:46] specifically is they're always there's always a why. They're never just born that way. Maybe Orin. No, even with Orin, she has her why. Do a Dark Urge playthrough, you'll find out why. Uh, but I like to figure them out. They're
[01:02] like a puzzle. And I think the red nun in this in this game is going to break a lot of hearts. She's got some tragedy in her past. So, yeah. ready? Maybe. >> You probably do. And Yeah. And just
[01:18] protect yourself. Protect your heart. Uh, how do you use your voice to project obviously, you know, there's the mix between vulnerability that you've just you use your voice to project that terror to terrify me and everyone?
[01:34] >> I think the answer is actually that the voice is just one of the muscles in your body. So, it is actually a part of your whole body and it would be a mistake to feel like it's isolated. So when I'm projecting terror or rage or any of
[01:50] these other emotions, it is in fact a physical experience and I am trying to utilize my full body in the booth as we're recording in order to >> make that believable. I have to feel it internally and externally.
[02:03] something that you brought in that was very uniquely you to creating that character? We are coming into the Red Nun story
[02:15] from a very different perspective in a very different place than how you've met her in the previous games. So I think for me that offered me a whole new world expression and she >> we really see her go through
[02:31] >> so many different emotions and so many different phases of her life. So, it lot of colors and really find all of the nuances and the expansion of her expression. So,
[02:44] >> I love that. It's great. No, that's awesome. And then finally, um, what moment in the game, scary or maybe, you know, like you said, vulnerable, is the favorite of yours that you're like excited for players to experience? I
[02:56] think some of her past traumas are pretty horrific. And I think that I can't say that I'm excited for people to experience them, but I do
[03:08] think that they will be the horror. >> I would have honestly been a little bit concerned if you were like so excited for you all.
[03:20] wanted to play a little game with you. >> Sure. So, I've got a list of 10 gaming moms, and I want you to blind rank them. >> Oh god. Okay. >> Okay. Number one is Mama from Cooking Mama.
[03:32] to have. >> Yeah. >> But I know we have nine more and I'm nervous.
[03:45] >> Five. Mama from Cookie. Mama gets a five. Love that. Next one is Mother Miranda of Resident Evil Village. >> Oh gosh, mixed feelings because >> Oh gosh, mixed feelings because obviously she is my mother, but also I
[03:59] have complicated feelings about my mother in that game, don't I? >> Two. Okay. Then we've got the player's mother in Pokémon. >> Lol. One because that is literally my
[04:12] >> I don't know. >> Okay. If I lock it in >> sure. >> Oh, wow. Oh, it's just a top spot. of War. >> Oh, dag nabbit.
[04:25] >> Three. >> Popper at three. Yeah. >> Then we've got Toriel in Undertale. >> I love her. Dagnabbit. Six.
[04:37] >> Six. Okay. Then we've got the boss in Metal Gear Solid 3. Metal Gear Solid 3. >> I mean, hot, but I'm panicking. Seven. >> she's getting the seven. >> Okay. Then we've got mother of worms and
[04:49] >> Lala, that's a character that I played, so I feel obliged to put her somewhere near the top, even though >> but we'll pop her in four. >> She gets a four.
[05:03] >> Who doesn't love a cult leader for a mom? >> Next is Alyssa Ashcraftoft, Resident Evil Recreum. Okay, this is another tough one because you've got me in one of my franchises and you've got me with
[05:16] of my franchises and you've got me with Jane Perry whom I adore. Oh, Jane, I'm eight cuz that's what I have. >> We only have eight, nine, and 10 left. >> We only have eight, nine, and 10 left. >> Next up is Mothra from Godzilla.
[05:30] >> I've got to go nine, haven't I? >> They're kind of riding themselves at >> Okay. >> But in this case, also least, I guess. >> it's going to be Lady Deatress. >> Oh, you did this on purpose. You tricked
[05:45] >> 10 is the highest number and therefore she's the best always. >> Create your own rules. The world is your oyster. That's what Lady D teaches us.
[05:57] And that's why she's the best mom. >> For anything more on remodel red's legacy and more, join us on IGN at Gamescom.
