Critical Role dungeon master Matt Mercer shared his thoughts on the future of the beloved Dungeons and Dragons web series, considering when his time with the series will end. The iconic tabletop RPG has grown more popular throughout the past decade, with new revisions to the game and the rise of online live-plays. Dungeons and Dragons series like Critical Role, Dimension 20, and Acquisitions Incorporated have helped to bring the game to a massive new audience, attracting new players and bringing in even more eyes. However, Critical Role has easily been among the most notable in the trend.
Critical Role has arguably been the most culturally significant live-play series to come from the Dungeons and Dragons IP. The series, originally DMed by popular actor Matt Mercer, has featured some of the biggest voice talents in the industry, including beloved names like Travis Willingham, Liam O’Brien, and Laura Bailey. The most recent season of Critical Role even saw a new player step into the Dungeon Master position, with Brennan Lee Mulligan leading the fourth campaign. Now, Matt Mercer has officially shared his thoughts on stepping away from the role of DM for Critical Role.
Matt Mercer Wants to “Show Off Others’ Passions” with Critical Role
A recent interview with Variety saw Matt Mercer share his thoughts on where Critical Role could go in the future. Mercer addressed his decision to take a step back from DMing Critical Role for the fourth season, sharing his gratitude for “already exceeding his expectations” for what he could accomplish. Mercer cited his desire to use Critical Role as a platform to “show off other people’s passions,” including Mulligan taking over running the show for Critical Role‘s fourth campaign and potentially stepping back from Critical Role as a whole. Matt Mercer has previously spoken about his sentiments of “passing the torch” of Critical Role, allowing other members of the party to take the spotlight.
Matt Mercer potentially stepping away from Critical Role comes as the actor has become one of the biggest public faces of Dungeons and Dragons. The popularity of Critical Role has seen Mercer work with Wizards of the Coast multiple times to develop official content based on the series, including Call of the Netherdeep and The Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount. Matt Mercer’s distinctive style of DMing has even led to what fans refer to as the “Mercer effect,” causing newer DMs to be overambitious with their own games after watching Critical Role.
Critical Role Has Become a Dungeons and Dragons Icon
While Matt Mercer may be considering stepping away from the series he helped to create, Critical Role has grown far beyond its D&D roots. Critical Role Productions officially launched its own tabletop RPG in early 2025, with Daggerheart utilizing a unique system inspired by the storytelling-focused approach used within the series. The introduction of Brennan Lee Mulligan as dungeon master has also brought a fresh perspective to the series, including the switch to a West Marches style of gameplay with larger, split parties of players. Mulligan also has plenty of previous experience as a dungeon master, acting as the main DM for Dimension 20.
Critical Role‘s future could be in good hands with Brennan Lee Mulligan as Dungeons and Dragons continues to evolve around the series. 2024 saw the launch of the newest major revision to Dungeons and Dragons, launching with a brand-new Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. Wizards of the Coast has also already added a new class to Dungeons and Dragons‘ 2024 revision, with the release of Eberron: Force of the Artificer introducing an official version of the titular class. The continued growth of Dungeons and Dragons will surely see series like Critical Role innovate and change with fresh new ideas and perspectives.
- Franchise
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Dungeons & Dragons
- Original Release Date
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1974
- Designer
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E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson