The Mighty Nein Animated Series Set to Revive and Perfect Critical Role’s Most Awkward Romance
The Mighty Nein series coming to Prime Video is set to give a fresh and much-needed boost to one of Critical Role’s most awkward romances. Fans of the show know that love stories are a staple, but some, like the relationship between Yasha Nydoorin and Beauregard “Beau” Lionett, have felt a bit clunky due to real-world filming challenges.
- Introduction to the new Amazon Prime show based on Critical Role’s second campaign, The Mighty Nein
- Cast returning to voice their characters, including Ashley Johnson and Marisha Ray
- Focus on the romance between Yasha and Beau, which struggled due to scheduling conflicts
- How the animated series can improve and deepen this slow-burn relationship
- Premiere date and where to watch
New Life for The Mighty Nein Romance
Critical Role fans were thrilled at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 with news about the final season of The Legend of Vox Machina and sneak peeks of new content. However, the big surprise was the announcement of a new Prime Video show based on the second campaign, The Mighty Nein. This adaptation has a unique opportunity to polish and elevate the romance between Yasha and Beau, which was somewhat hindered during the original live sessions.
Returning Cast and Gritty Storytelling
The entire Critical Role cast is back, lending their voices to beloved characters: Ashley Johnson as Yasha Nydoorin, Marisha Ray as Beauregard “Beau” Lionett, Laura Bailey as Jester Lavorre, Liam O’Brien as Caleb Widogast, and others. Matthew Mercer reprises his role as Dungeon Master and voices Essek Thelyss. Known for its darker tones, The Mighty Nein dives deeper into gritty, grim storytelling, perfect for fans who enjoy a raw and intense narrative.
The Beau and Yasha Romance: What Went Wrong?
Romance is woven throughout Critical Role campaigns, with many memorable couples like Keyleth and Vax or Fjord and Jester. The Yasha-Beau relationship stands out as one of the most beautiful but also one of the most awkwardly handled romances. Early flirtations set the stage, with Beau’s playful charm meeting Yasha’s strong, mysterious presence. However, the romance took over 100 episodes to truly develop, largely due to Ashley Johnson’s filming commitments on NBC’s Blindspot in New York, while Critical Role was recorded in Los Angeles.
Because Johnson wasn’t always available, Travis Willingham stepped in to voice Yasha during some sessions. Despite his efforts, the romance felt disjointed and never reached the emotional heights seen in other couples. This made the relationship sweet but sometimes awkward to watch, as it lacked the authentic connection viewers hoped for.
How the Animated Series Can Fix This
The upcoming animated adaptation on Prime Video allows both Ashley Johnson and Marisha Ray to fully control their characters’ interactions. This means the romance can be portrayed as originally intended, with more nuanced scenes and a better flow. While some narrative adjustments are expected, similar to how Pike’s story was handled in The Legend of Vox Machina, fans can look forward to a more satisfying and relatable love story.
For instance, the memorable date scene between Beau and Yasha will be expanded upon, helping to balance Beau’s earlier crush on Jester and deepen the connection between the two women.
When and Where to Watch
The Mighty Nein premieres on November 19, exclusively on Prime Video. If you’re eager to see this romance get the attention it deserves and experience the dark, gripping world of Critical Role’s second campaign, mark your calendars.
