Baldur's Gate 3 Star Jennifer English Celebrates 1348 Ex Voto's LGBTQ+ Themes

1348 Ex Voto is basically a Sapphic BBC Merlin through the lens of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, but set in Italy – if that confuses you: a lesbian knight goes on a quest to save Jennifer English. It's chivalry with a queer twist, and ahead of its launch next month, Sedleo gave us a sneak peek at the behind-the-scenes development of the game, looking into Aeta and Bianca's achievements and their tight bond.

“The messiness of the relationship is one of my favorite things about it,” said English, who plays Bianca. “I think there's a romance that both Bianca and Aeta have, but especially Bianca. She's playing games with the world. What I will say about Aeta's bowl cut is that I think it's pretty hot and historically accurate. Historically correct! So back off! Haters! Haters of the bowl cut!”

“It's not a coming out story, it's not your usual fare”

English has long championed LGBTQ+ storytelling and representation in games, and recently likened her appearance as Maelle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and her “crazy journey” — how she “chooses to leave a life that didn't serve her” — to her own experiences as a queer person.

“I did it a few years ago,” English said. “And I chose instead, a life that was authentic, a life that was gay! I fell in love with a beautiful woman who is crying her eyes out right now, it's really funny. And I chose queer joy, and as a result of that queer joy, I felt safe enough to pour my sadness and pain and all that nonsense and joy into this character and joy that I'm so proud and beautifully written of. I want to thank queer joy!”

That bond can also be felt with Bianca as she steps into the world of 1348 Ex Voto and its medieval Sapphic romance, as English discussed how she's “really passionate about telling LGBTQ+ stories” in her career, and is proud of the story Sedleo is weaving with her debut game and her part in it.

Alby Baldwin, who plays Aeta, also highlighted how deeply LGBTQ+ themes run throughout the game, noting that their character is “somewhat gender-queer” in that people mistake her for a man, which she proudly wears on her sleeve. “It's not a story coming out,” English added. “It's not your usual fare. I haven't seen it that often in games or just in the media in general.”

1348 Ex Voto's story and its unabashed queerness has resonated not only with the English but also with the wider gaming community, as it already has 100,000 wishlists on Steam. At just $25, this indie gem is shaping up to be a steal, and if Jennifer English's GOTY series is anything to go by, Ex Voto is a game you don't want to miss.