You know that feeling when you're playing a game and you just know you’ve heard that voice before? It’s usually followed by a frantic Google search while the cutscene is still playing. With Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, that happens a lot. But here’s the thing: these aren’t just "voices." Respawn Entertainment went all-in on full performance capture. That means the jedi survivor voice actors were actually on a volume, wearing those goofy velcro suits with ping-pong balls, physically acting out every hug, betrayal, and lightsaber duel.
It makes a massive difference. You can see it in the way Cal Kestis’ shoulders slump when he’s tired or the specific way Bode Akuna leans into a conversation. It’s gritty. It’s human. And honestly, it’s why the story sticks the landing.
The Man Behind the Red Hair: Cameron Monaghan
Cal Kestis is played by Cameron Monaghan. If you grew up watching Shameless, seeing Ian Gallagher wielding a lightsaber was probably a trip. Monaghan has been the face and soul of this series since 2019, but in Survivor, he’s playing a much darker, more exhausted version of the character.
He didn't just show up to a booth. Monaghan is a massive Star Wars nerd in real life, which helps. He’s gone on record discussing how Cal’s combat style—that specific, sometimes desperate mix of lightsaber forms—was something they worked on to show his growth over the five-year time jump between games. He’s not a Padawan anymore. He’s a guy who has seen too much, and Monaghan plays that "war-weary" vibe perfectly.
Noshir Dalal and the Bode Akuna Factor
Let’s talk about Noshir Dalal. If you’ve played a big-budget game in the last decade, you’ve heard him. He was Charles Smith in Red Dead Redemption 2 and Kotallo in Horizon Forbidden West. In Jedi: Survivor, he plays Bode Akuna, the new jetpack-toting best friend.
Dalal is basically the MVP of "characters you want to grab a beer with." His chemistry with Monaghan feels incredibly natural. It’s that easy, lived-in camaraderie that makes the narrative twists later in the game hit like a freight train. Fun fact: Dalal is a bit of a Star Wars veteran. He’s voiced characters in The Bad Batch, Squadrons, and The Old Republic. The dude is everywhere in this galaxy.
The Returning Crew of the Stinger Mantis
The chemistry of the original crew is what grounded the first game, and seeing them reunited (and changed) is a highlight of the sequel.
Debra Wilson as Cere Junda
Debra Wilson is a powerhouse. Most people know her from her MADtv days, but she has become the queen of performance capture. As Cere, she brings a grounded, spiritual authority that feels heavy. When she’s on screen, you listen. Wilson’s performance captures that specific struggle of a Jedi trying to preserve history while the world burns around her.
Daniel Roebuck as Greez Dritus
Greez is the heart of the game, even if he’s a grumpy, four-armed Latero who’s obsessed with his cantina and his salt shaker. Daniel Roebuck brings so much texture to a character that could have just been a comic relief trope. In Survivor, Greez is older and a bit more cautious. Roebuck plays that "anxious space uncle" energy to a tee.
Tina Ivlev as Merrin
Nightsister Merrin is a fan favorite for a reason. Tina Ivlev gives her this dry, sardonic wit that contrasts perfectly with Cal’s more earnest personality. The way Ivlev handles the romance subplot is subtle—it’s in the pauses and the small smiles, not just the dialogue.
The Villains and Newcomers
A hero is only as good as their villain, and Survivor gives us some weird, fascinating ones.
- Cody Fern (Dagan Gera): You might recognize him from American Horror Story. He plays the High Republic Jedi-turned-antagonist. He brings a weird, ethereal intensity to Dagan that makes him feel like he’s from a completely different era of Star Wars—which, technically, he is.
- D.C. Douglas (Rayvis): The voice of Albert Wesker from Resident Evil plays a giant Gen’dai warrior. It’s a deep, rumbling performance that makes every encounter with the Bedlam Raiders feel dangerous.
- Richard Horvitz (Turgle): Yes, that’s Invader Zim. Richard Horvitz voicing a frantic, bumbling alien named Turgle is probably the best casting decision in the history of the franchise.
Why Performance Capture Matters
We shouldn't overlook how much work goes into this. When you see jedi survivor voice actors credited, it’s easy to think they just did a few days in a studio. In reality, these actors spent months on motion capture stages.
Take Gideon Emery, for example. He’s the voice of the ISB Commander, but he also provided the physical movements for BD-1. He literally used a cardboard mockup of the droid and a flute to help create the character's "language" and physical personality. That’s why BD-1 feels like a real member of the cast and not just a gadget on Cal’s back.
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Legendary Cameos
Because it’s a Star Wars project, Respawn snuck in some heavy hitters. Scott Lawrence returns as the voice of Darth Vader. He’s been voicing the Dark Lord in games since the 90s, and he has that James Earl Jones cadence down to a science. We also get Temuera Morrison showing up as Boba Fett. Having the actual movie actors involved keeps the game feeling like it’s "real" Star Wars, not just a spin-off.
Where to See Them Next
If you loved these performances, these actors are all over the place:
- Cameron Monaghan is headed to the big screen for Tron: Ares.
- Debra Wilson is basically in every major AAA game, including Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
- Noshir Dalal continues to be the go-to guy for "cool, stoic warriors" in both animation and gaming.
If you’re looking for a way to appreciate the work more, go back and watch the "Behind the Scenes" footage of the mocap sessions. Seeing the actors perform these emotional scenes in tight spandex suits with dots on their faces makes you realize just how much talent is required to make us believe in a galaxy far, far away.
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Next Steps for Players: Go to the "Extras" menu in the game to watch the behind-the-scenes featurettes. Pay close attention to the facial capture technology; it’s one of the few games where the "uncanny valley" doesn't distract from the emotional beats. Afterward, check out the actors' social media—Noshir Dalal in particular often shares great insights into the stunt work and choreography that went into the Bode/Cal fight scenes.