You’re probably here because you saw a clip of a tiefling doing something ridiculous or heard a snippet of a heart-wrenching monologue and thought, "Wait, who are these people?" It happens. Dungeons & Dragons has exploded, but while Critical Role usually hogs the spotlight, there’s this group from the UK that has been quietly—and sometimes very loudly—building one of the best tabletop communities on the internet.
The cast of High Rollers isn't just a bunch of random actors. They’re friends who started playing in a basement (metaphorically, mostly) and ended up selling out theaters and collabing with the biggest names in the RPG world.
If you're new to Aerois or the newer Altheya campaign, the roster can feel a bit daunting. Who’s the DM? Who’s the one who always rolls natural 1s? Let’s actually look at the humans behind the character sheets.
Mark "Sherlock" Hulmes: The Architect of the Chaos
Mark is the Dungeon Master. That’s the short version. The long version is that he’s essentially the engine of the entire brand. Mark didn't come at this from a traditional acting background like some other famous DMs; he was deep in the gaming industry, working with Yogscast when the stream first kicked off in 2016.
He’s known for what fans call "The Mark Hulmes Smile." It’s that terrifying look he gives the players right before an ancient dragon drops from the ceiling. Honestly, his world-building is dense. He doesn't just give you a town; he gives you the economic trade routes and the local political grievances of the tavern keeper. He also famously played Calianna on Critical Role, which brought a massive wave of new eyes to the High Rollers table.
Mark’s style is very much "Yes, and..." but with a lethal edge. He lets the cast get away with absolute nonsense, but the consequences always come knocking. It’s a fair table. Mostly.
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The Core Players: A Mix of Chaos and Heart
Kim Frandsen (Kimberley)
Kim is often the emotional anchor of the group. If you watched the Lightfall campaign, she was Jiutóu. In Aerois, she was Quill. She has this specific ability to take a mechanical character and turn them into a tragic hero that makes the entire chat cry. Kim’s background in community management and her genuine love for the lore makes her the "lore keeper" of the group. She remembers the names of NPCs that Mark mentioned once three years ago.
Chris Trott
You might know him from Hat Films. Trott is... well, Trott. He brings a level of unpredictable energy to the cast of High Rollers that keeps the stakes high. He played Lucius in Aerois, a character that was essentially a high-fashion sorcerer with a bit of a pampered ego. Trott’s strength is timing. He knows exactly when to drop a joke to break the tension, but he’s also surprisingly capable of dropping the comedy for some of the most intense roleplay moments in the series.
Katie Morrison
Katie is the person at the table who usually has the best "what is happening" face. She played Aila, the barbarian, for years, and watching her transition from a quiet player to a powerhouse of the group has been one of the best parts of the show's history. Katie is often the voice of reason—or at least the person trying to keep the party from walking directly into a trap. She doesn't always succeed.
Tom Hazell
Tom is the "tactician" who often finds himself in the most ridiculous situations. His character Qillek was a fan favorite, mostly because Tom plays the "reluctant hero" vibe so well. He has a very dry, British sense of humor that contrasts perfectly with Trott’s more boisterous energy.
The Evolution of the Table
It’s worth noting that the cast of High Rollers hasn't stayed exactly the same since day one. In the beginning, we had Mattias and Elark, played by Matt and Cahla. People still ask about them. That’s just the nature of long-running shows; life happens, jobs change, and people move on.
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Rhiannon Gower joined the group later and immediately felt like she had been there since the beginning. She brought Nova V'Ger to life in the Aerois campaign, and her scientific, "let's poke the dangerous glowing thing" energy added a whole new dimension to the party dynamic. Rhiannon’s background in acting is evident; she inhabits her characters in a way that feels very "Method."
Why This Group Works (When Others Don't)
Most DnD streams fail because the players are trying too hard to be "performers." The cast of High Rollers feels like a home game that happens to have high-end production.
They genuinely annoy each other. They laugh at each other's failures. When someone rolls a "nat 1" at a critical moment, the palpable sense of dread in the room isn't faked for the cameras. It’s real frustration.
- The Chemistry: They’ve played together for thousands of hours. You can't fake that shorthand.
- The Production: Being part of the Yogscast family gave them a leg up with tech, but they've maintained a "handmade" feel.
- The Accessibility: Unlike some 500-episode epics, they do a good job of creating jumping-off points for new viewers.
What Most People Get Wrong About High Rollers
People often assume it’s just "the British Critical Role." That’s a bit of a disservice. While there are similarities, High Rollers leans much harder into sci-fi and "Magitech" elements, especially in the Aerois campaign. Mark Hulmes isn't trying to be Matt Mercer; he has a much more "gamey" approach, often explaining mechanics to the audience so they can follow the tactical stakes.
Also, the humor is very specific. It’s self-deprecating. It’s dry. It’s very, very British.
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What Happened to the Original Cast?
The transition from the first campaign, Lightfall, to the second, Aerois, was a big turning point. Some fans were worried when the original lineup shifted. Matt and Cahla left on good terms to pursue other things, and that’s when the group really solidified into the "Core Five" plus Mark that we see today.
Change is hard for DnD fans. We get attached to characters. But the current cast of High Rollers has proven that the "vibe" of the table is more important than any single individual.
How to Actually Get Into High Rollers
If you’re looking to dive in, don’t start at episode one of the first campaign. It’s rough. The audio is questionable. The players are still finding their feet.
Instead, look for the Altheya campaign (Campaign 3). It’s their newest venture and represents the pinnacle of their production value. Or, if you want a finished story, Aerois is a masterpiece, but be prepared—it’s over 200 episodes.
Actionable Steps for New Fans
- Start with the "Aerois" World Introduction: Mark has several short videos explaining the gods and the setting. Watch those first.
- Follow the Cast on Socials: Most of them stream individually on Twitch. If you want to see their non-DnD personalities, Trott is a great follow for gaming, and Kim does a lot of great community-focused content.
- Check out the "One-Shots": They did a Fallout themed DnD game and several others that are only 3-4 hours long. It’s the best way to see if you like their humor before committing to a 3-year campaign.
- Use the Wiki: The fan-run wiki is incredibly detailed. If you get confused about who a certain NPC is, it’s a lifesaver.
- Don't skip the "Banter": The first 15 minutes of the streams are usually just the cast talking about their weeks. It’s where most of the inside jokes start.
The cast of High Rollers has built something rare: a massive, global brand that still feels like a group of friends hanging out on a Sunday afternoon. Whether you're there for the high-stakes combat or the ridiculous puns, they’re one of the few groups that actually lives up to the hype.