You’re sitting in a damp, stone prison cell. The lighting is harsh, and the face generation on the NPC across from you is, frankly, a bit terrifying by modern standards. Then, the music swells—that classic Jeremy Soule score—and a voice speaks. It’s not just any voice. It’s the voice of a man who has commanded the Starship Enterprise and led the X-Men.
Patrick Stewart in Oblivion is one of those "lightning in a bottle" moments in gaming history. Usually, when a big Hollywood star does a voice for a game, it’s a marketing gimmick. They phone it in, collect the check, and move on. But for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Sir Patrick Stewart didn't just show up. He gave us Uriel Septim VII.
The 90-Page Backstory and the Work Ethic of a Knight
There’s this famous bit of trivia that makes the rounds in Bethesda fan circles. When Patrick Stewart signed on to play the Emperor, the developers at Bethesda didn't just give him a few pages of dialogue. They sent him a massive, 90-page dossier detailing the entire history of the Septim bloodline and the lore of Tamriel.
Most actors would have looked at that pile of paper and used it as a doorstop. Not Stewart.
He actually read it.
He reportedly said it was some of the most comprehensive preparation material he had ever received for a role. You can hear that preparation in the performance. When Uriel Septim says, "I was born 87 years ago," he isn't just reading a script. He sounds like a man burdened by nearly a century of weight, prophecy, and the literal fate of a world.
He only has about ten minutes of screen time before those Mythic Dawn assassins do their thing, but those ten minutes carry the entire game. Honestly, without that gravitas at the start, the stakes for finding Martin (voiced by Sean Bean, another heavyweight) wouldn't feel nearly as high.
Why Bethesda Spent the Big Bucks on a Prologue Character
You might wonder why Todd Howard and the team spent a huge chunk of their budget on a character who dies before you even leave the tutorial.
- First Impressions: In 2006, Oblivion was a showcase for the Xbox 360 and high-end PCs. Having a world-class actor open the game told players, "This is serious. This is prestige."
- The Emotional Hook: You need to care about the Empire. If the Emperor is just some guy with a generic voice, his death is just a plot point. With Stewart, it's a tragedy.
- Legitimacy: Back then, gaming was still fighting for "mainstream" respect. Casting Picard himself was a massive statement of intent.
Breaking Down the Performance: More Than Just "Picard in a Crown"
The easy thing for Stewart to do would have been to use his "Captain's Voice." You know the one—booming, authoritative, slightly impatient. But his Uriel Septim is different. It’s softer. It’s a bit more weary.
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"I have seen you... let me see your face. You are the one from my dreams."
When he says those lines, there’s a genuine sense of wonder and fate. He’s a man who has seen his own death coming for years and is finally meeting the person who will fix the mess he's leaving behind.
Award-Winning Voice Acting
People actually noticed. In 2006, Sir Patrick Stewart won the "Best Performance by a Human Male" at the Spike Video Game Awards. He also picked up a nomination for "Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama" from the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. For a role that lasts as long as a coffee break, that’s incredible.
It’s worth noting that the recording sessions weren't just a solo affair. The "Making of Oblivion" documentary shows a glimpse of the process. Stewart worked closely with the directors to get the cadence of the Elder Scrolls universe right. He wasn't just a guest; he was a collaborator.
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The Septim Legacy and the Remaster Rumors
Even now, in 2026, we’re still talking about this. With the Oblivion Remaster rumors constantly swirling—and some snippets already leaking out of Bethesda’s vaults—the question is always: "Will they keep the original audio?"
They have to. You can’t replace that voice.
Some fans have joked that the only reason to buy a remaster would be to hear those iconic lines in uncompressed high-fidelity audio. There’s something about the way he says "the jaws of Oblivion" that just hits differently than any other VA in the series.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to revisit this performance or learn from it, here’s how to truly appreciate Patrick Stewart in Oblivion:
- Watch the "Making of Oblivion" Documentary: It’s available on YouTube and shows the recording sessions. Watching Stewart’s facial expressions while he delivers the lines is a masterclass in acting.
- Listen to the Unused Dialogue: Modders have found several cut lines in the game files where Uriel reacts to the player's actions in the prison. These files show that Stewart recorded significantly more than what made it into the final cut.
- Notice the Sound Design: Pay attention to how the "mouth noises" are almost non-existent. Stewart’s stage training means his diction is perfect, which is why he sounds so distinct compared to the more "organic" (and sometimes messy) voices of the other NPCs.
- Compare to Martin Septim: Listen to the contrast between Stewart’s weary Emperor and Sean Bean’s more grounded, reluctant Martin. It’s a fascinating study in how two different "acting styles" can build a believable father-son dynamic without ever sharing a scene.
The role was short, but it was perfect. Patrick Stewart proved that in the world of RPGs, it’s not about how long you’re on screen—it’s about the shadow you leave behind once you’re gone. He set the tone for an entire generation of RPG players, and honestly, we’re still living in that shadow every time we step out of those sewers into the sunlight of Cyrodiil.