Critical Role Shakes Things Up: Brennan Lee Mulligan to DM Campaign 4 as Matthew Mercer Steps Down

Critical Role is making history with its biggest shake-up yet: Matthew Mercer won’t be the Dungeon Master for Campaign 4. Instead, the reins are being handed to Brennan Lee Mulligan (Dimension 20), while Mercer steps into a player role for the first time. The announcement has sparked excitement—and some nervousness—among fans. Can Critical Role thrive without its iconic DM?

First-time change: Mercer steps down as DM for a core campaign, replaced by Brennan Lee Mulligan.
New dynamics: Original cast may mix with fresh faces, and the setting shifts away from Exandria.
Business evolution: Critical Role’s expansion into animation, games, and now a new DM signals long-planned growth.

Why This Change Matters

Since 2015, Matthew Mercer’s storytelling and the chemistry of Critical Role’s cast have defined the show. The so-called “Mercer Effect” even describes how his DM style raised expectations for D&D games worldwide. But Mercer himself has encouraged players to find their own creative paths, stressing there’s no “right” way to play.

More Than Just Mercer

The heart of Critical Role isn’t just its DM—it’s the friendship between the cast. As Sam Riegel told Rolling Stone, they’re “a family that does business together and kills people.” Their decade of shared adventures makes any shift in dynamics a big deal. Now, with Mercer as a player and a new world (not Exandria), fans wonder if the magic will hold.

Passing the Torch

Mercer has long hinted at handing over Critical Role to new voices. In a Rolling Stone interview, he said: “I hope to one day pass the torch to a bunch of incredible people with new ideas… and give them the space to tell their stories.” Mulligan’s hiring feels like the first major step—but it’s also a business move. Critical Role isn’t just a home game anymore; it’s a multimedia empire with Amazon deals, an animated series, and its own TTRPG (Daggerheart).

Fan Reactions: Hope and Hesitation

While many fans welcome Mulligan (a beloved DM in his own right), others worry about losing Critical Role’s original charm. Mercer acknowledged the unease, tweeting:

https://twitter.com/matthewmercer/status/1952038259951034536/photo/2

But change was inevitable. As Critical Role grows, so does its need to evolve—whether fans are ready or not.

Bottom line: Critical Role’s soul has always been its cast’s bond. If that stays intact, even without Mercer behind the DM screen, the show’s future could be as epic as its past.