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Huge news out of the world of TTRPG liveplay: for the first time in its decade-long history, Critical Role is bringing a new GM onto its next core campaign, the fourth since 2015. Don't worry, though: the person taking over for stalwart GM Matthew Mercer is no stranger to popular streaming actual play - in fact, he has hosted one himself since 2020. In case you haven't already guessed, let us be the first to share with you that Critical Role Campaign 4 will feature Brennan Lee Mulligan as GM.

As if that wasn't already news enough, we even know when you'll get to lay eyes on a Mulligan-driven CR adventure, because we can now reveal that Critical Role Campaign 4 debuts on October 2 of 2025.

Besides being the most regular Game Master on Dropout's Dimension 20 liveplay series, Mulligan is also the host of popular TTRPG podcast Worlds Beyond Number, currently wrapping up its first long-form campaign. He is also a prolific improv comedian, with his appearances on Dropout shows like Game Changer and Make Some Noise making up for some of the series most popular moments. As if all of that wasn't enough, Mulligan and the rest of the Dimension 20 gang recently headlined a sold-out show at the historic Hollywood Bowl in LA.

"We’ve been enormous fans of Brennan’s for many years now," said Critical Role cast member and CEO Travis Willingham in a statement, "and when it came to giving both Matthew Mercer and the world of Exandria a bit of a breather, Brennan felt like the perfect storyteller to take our community somewhere entirely new [...] Critical Role has always been about genuine connection through storytelling first and foremost, and as Brennan himself will tell you, he’s still played more TTRPGs away from a camera than in front of it. His passion and drive for worldbuilding is infectious, and it's been an absolute joy to spark off him as we forge ahead." 

That joy is shared by Mulligan, who said: "What a gift, a privilege and an honor to be invited behind the screen of Critical Role for this next epic adventure [...] Every collaboration we have had together has brought nothing but sheer joy, and Campaign 4 will be no exception. I'm finally playing almost as much tabletop as I'd like to!"

Well, it beats quitting the rat race to go make American Girls shoes, I guess. 

As to the details of Campaign 4, the Critical Role team is keeping things pretty close to the chest. However, as they assure us, the upcoming adventure will be like nothing like the previous campaigns (that is, Vox Machina, Mighty Nein, and Bells Hells), especially considering Willingham's comment that the next season will give "the world of Exandria a bit of a breather." What do you mean, Travis?

Critical Role Creative Director and cast member Marisha Ray expounds on this idea. "We’re not just turning a page," she says, "we’re starting a whole new book [...] Everything about Campaign 4 is fresh; new world, new tone, new possibilities. We can’t wait for the fans to experience what we’ve been building."

Critical Role Campaign 4, with GM Brennan Lee Mulligan, debuts on October 2 on Critical Role's Beacon, YouTube, and Twitch channels.

You don't need to beat the game to prepare for the next one—here are all the major new and upcoming games coming our way.