Jane Perry, an actress who has brought to life memorable characters like Selene in Returnal and Lune in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, recently discussed her role as Alyssa Ashcroft in Resident Evil Requiem. Speaking at Comicon Napoli 26, Perry shared her approach to embodying a character with an established fanbase within a highly popular franchise.
Perry acknowledged the unique art of video game acting, which may not always be fully appreciated or understood, even within the acting profession. However, she emphasized the fulfillment that comes from connecting with a story and a character, leading to the creation of unforgettable roles.
When questioned about her portrayal of Alyssa Ashcroft, Perry admitted to the initial pressure of stepping into a role within the monumental Resident Evil franchise. She also mentioned her previous role as Diana Burnwood in the Hitman games, noting that taking on established characters requires careful consideration to avoid being overwhelmed.
“Before embodying Alyssa Ashcroft, and even Diana Burnwood – because there have been two actresses who played Diana Burnwood before me – if I dwell on it too much, I risk panicking completely,” Perry stated.
Regarding Resident Evil specifically, Perry was acutely aware of the game’s immense popularity and the passion of its fans. “But as far as Resident Evil is concerned, I was aware that this game is a real phenomenon, and its fans are simply extraordinary. So I was vaguely aware that Alyssa already had a huge audience, and I think I just wanted to pay homage to her, to her story, as best I could; that was my main intention: just to do a good job,” she explained.
The interview, which also touched upon Perry’s BAFTA-winning performance as Selene in Returnal, highlights her dedication to honoring the characters and their narratives.
Jane Perry on her role as Alyssa Ashcroft in Resident Evil Requiem: “I just wanted to pay homage to her and her story, as best I could.”
Acting in video games is an art form in itself that not everyone appreciates or necessarily understands, even within the acting profession. But when you find your way, when you manage to connect with the story and your character – even alone in a room with no feedback – the first take is the right one, and it is from this passion that unforgettable characters are born, such as Selune in Returnal, Lune in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or Alyssa Ashcroft in Resident Evil Requiem.
It is precisely these women and their stories, as well as the professionals who brought them to life, that we discussed with actresses Kirsty Rider and Jane Perry during our report on Comicon Napoli 26. You can watch the subtitled interview below.
In addition to discussing how they brought Lune and Selene to life in “Expedition 33” and “Returnal” – original roles that both actresses made their own – we asked Jane Perry about her role as the new voice of Alyssa Ashcroft in “Resident Evil Requiem” and how she approached this character, given the franchise’s legacy.
“Before embodying Alyssa Ashcroft, and even Diana Burnwood – because there have been two actresses who played Diana Burnwood before me – if I dwell on it too much, I risk panicking completely.”
Diana Burnwood is another significant role in Jane Perry’s career in the video game domain, as she is one of the most important characters in the Hitman games. “But as far as Resident Evil is concerned, I was aware that this game is a real phenomenon, and its fans are simply extraordinary. So I was vaguely aware that Alyssa already had a huge audience, and I think I just wanted to pay homage to her, to her story, as best I could; that was my main intention: just to do a good job.”
Don’t miss the rest of the interview, which you can find above, where Jane Perry also reveals how she developed her interpretation of Selene in Returnal, which earned her a BAFTA.