How does a theatre-trained actor with Welsh roots become one of gaming’s most compelling voices?

In this episode of The ReadyAimFire Podcast, hosts Tom Stacey and Keziah Burrows welcome Michael Geary, voice of Warhammer 40,000’s iconic Space Marines and many more.

Michael takes us from stage to studio, sharing the art and chaos of recording powerful characters at home (with a makeshift duvet booth and occasionally anxious neighbours), the joy of playing everything from sentient mushrooms to mighty heroes, and why authenticity, inclusion and fun are central to a great performance.

You’ll hear:

• What it’s really like to voice epic game roles—and why even orcs sometimes sound Welsh
• The technical and emotional craft behind world-class voice acting
• Candid reflections on building a creative life in games, and the importance of mentorship and play
• The time Michael almost threw up in the booth—and it made the game!

It’s not just about the games—it’s about the people who shape them. Join us for this warm, witty, and inspiring episode.

🧭 Key Points & Timestamps:

00:02:23 – Stumbling into voiceover – advice that changed everything

00:03:04 – DIY home studio—and warning the neighbours

00:05:12 – Why voice acting is “democratizing” for performers

00:06:49 – The struggle—and pride—of voicing Welsh characters in games

00:09:42 – From theatre to games: Breaking down old stigmas

00:10:39 – How games lead inclusion in entertainment

00:12:01 – Teaching audio: letting actors “play” with their limits

00:13:55 – Looking after your voice—honest truths and practical tips

00:15:52 – How a theatre background shapes games performance

00:18:02 – Accidental practice: cold-reading from “sales” and shop signs

00:21:00 – LAN parties, Left 4 Dead, and gaming socials

00:28:43 – Finding characters—turning breakdowns into monologues

00:31:01 – The madness of Warhammer 40K—explained in a minute

00:33:37 – Warhammer audiobooks: big, weird words and lore obsession

00:47:12 – AI in games—what can (and can’t) be replaced?

👤 Guest Info:

Michael Geary is a seasoned actor with a background in theatre, film and TV, and AAA games. His work includes Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, Total War: Warhammer III, and numerous roles spanning other franchises. He also teaches and mentors actors in how to use their bodies and voices as tools of authentic performance.

🌐 Website 📸 Instagram

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• Warhammer 40,000 (Warhammer 40k)
• Warhammer: Total War – Thrones of Britannia
• BAFTA
• Damn Good Voices
• Isovox
• GreedFall
• Fable / Fable II
• Left 4 Dead
• Xbox
• LAN parties
• Foundation by Peter Ackroyd
• Royal Shakespeare Company
• Outlander
• Space Marine II
• Night of the Living Dead (film)
• Dawn of the Dead (film)
• Day of the Dead (film)
• Land of the Dead (film)
• Diary of the Dead (film)
• Survival of the Dead (film)
• Return of the Living Dead (film)
• Back 4 Blood
• Telltale Games
• Black Library
• Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)
• Warhammer stores
• Games Workshop
• Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
• Cleanfeed
• Doctors (BBC television series)
• Pulp Fiction (film)
• Lambda (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art)
• Sapphire and Steel (TV series)
• The Siege (film)
• Performance Capture

💬 Quotes:

“The orcs are having a great time going to war. I mean, the orcs are essentially sentient mushrooms, which I love.”

– Michael Geary

“It can be very exposing for actors. Just you and the mic. There's nothing else to hide behind. And I love that because you've really got to start playing.”

– Michael Geary

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