The Voice Behind Lady Qi’ra in Star Wars Outlaws Isn’t Who You Think

When I first stepped onto the frozen streets of Kijimi in Star Wars Outlaws, the chill in the air was nothing compared to the shiver that ran down my spine when Lady Qi’ra appeared. There she was, all poised elegance and quiet menace, pulling strings for the Crimson Dawn in a plot to overthrow the Ashiga Clan. As Kay Vess, a scoundrel trying to build a reputation among the galaxy’s most dangerous syndicates, I knew I was in deep. But as I watched Qi’ra’s familiar face and listened to her honeyed yet steely voice, something kept nagging at me. Was that really Emilia Clarke?

I remember watching Solo: A Star Wars Story back in 2018 and being utterly captivated by Clarke’s portrayal of Qi’ra, a survivor who hides oceans of pain behind a composed smile. So when Star Wars Outlaws dropped in August 2024, I expected the same actress to reprise the role. After all, the character model looked exactly like her—every facial feature, every subtle expression perfectly captured by Massive Entertainment. The voice, too, carried that unique mix of warmth and danger. Yet, as I dug deeper, I stumbled upon a surprising truth: Lady Qi’ra is not voiced by Emilia Clarke. That realization hit me like a blaster bolt to the chest. If not her, then who?

The answer is Tamaryn Payne. You might not know the name immediately, but if you’ve played any major RPGs in the last few years, you’ve almost certainly heard her. Payne is a British actress who cut her teeth on the soap opera Hollyoaks from 2011 to 2013 before diving headfirst into video game voice work. Let that sink in for a moment—a performer who can move seamlessly from daytime TV to portraying one of the most enigmatic crime lords in the Star Wars universe. How does one even prepare for such a leap?

She’s no stranger to beloved franchises. Payne voiced numerous characters in Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series, then delivered a heart-wrenching performance as Lohse in Divinity: Original Sin II—a companion whose inner demons (quite literally) resonated with countless players. And, of course, there’s her role as Mizora, the devilishly manipulative handler of Wyll in Baldur’s Gate 3, the 2023 Game of the Year phenomenon that swept awards and captured imaginations worldwide. In that game alone, she voiced several other characters, showing a chameleon-like ability to slip between personalities. Given that pedigree, maybe it’s less surprising and more impressive that she stepped so effortlessly into Qi’ra’s shoes.

But here’s the question that kept circling my mind: why did Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft go with a soundalike instead of Clarke herself? Scheduling conflicts? Creative choice? We may never know the full story, but what’s undeniable is the result. Payne doesn’t just mimic Clarke; she channels the very essence of Qi’ra’s character—that blend of calculated authority and buried vulnerability. When you’re navigating the hazardous politics of the Outer Rim syndicates, the Crimson Dawn leader’s lines could easily feel like fan service or a pale imitation. Instead, every word carries the weight of someone who has seen the darkest corners of the galaxy and decided to rule them.

Let’s set the scene. Star Wars Outlaws positions itself between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, a timeline ripe with tension. The Empire tightens its grip, crime syndicates vie for power, and Kay Vess—along with her adorable furry companion Nix—scrambles to survive. Your reputation with factions like the Pykes, the Hutt Cartel, and the Ashiga Clan shifts with every mission, every choice. Helping the Crimson Dawn often means betraying another syndicate, and nowhere is this more delicate than on Kijimi. Queen Ashiga rules with an iron fist, but whispers of a coup stir the snowdrifts. Who’s orchestrating the chaos from the shadows? None other than Lady Qi’ra herself.

When you finally meet her, the screen almost crackles with tension. The camera frames her face in ways that pay homage to Solo, and that’s when you fully appreciate how faithfully the visuals match the film. Yet it’s Payne’s voice that seals the deal. There’s a moment—I won’t spoil it—where Qi’ra offers Kay a deal that’s equal parts opportunity and threat. The delivery is so spot-on that I had to pause the game and pull up the credits just to convince myself it wasn’t Clarke. How often does a voice actor replicate not only the sound but the soul of a performance?

The visual likeness, of course, remains Emilia Clarke’s. The character model is uncanny—from the arch of an eyebrow to the curve of a smirk—and Massive Entertainment clearly secured the rights to use her appearance. This feels like a wise choice, maintaining continuity with the movie while allowing the game’s narrative to expand Qi’ra’s story in ways the films abandoned. Remember how Solo ended with Qi’ra taking over Crimson Dawn, leaving audiences hungry for more? The subsequent Crimson Reign comic trilogy continued that thread, and Star Wars Outlaws weaves itself neatly into that era, giving fans a glimpse of her machinations firsthand.

Playing the game in 2026, two years after its release, I’m still struck by how well the character holds up. The open-world escapades, the syndicate politics, the scrappy underdog story—all of it is elevated by a supporting cast that feels alive. Payne’s Qi’ra might only appear in a handful of story beats, but her presence lingers. When you’re later taking Crimson Dawn jobs from nameless brokers in cantinas, you can’t help but feel her eyes on you, assessing, calculating. Can you ever truly trust a woman who rose to power through betrayal and sheer will? Probably not. But that’s what makes every conversation with her so deliciously dangerous.

Reflecting on the performance, I have to wonder: does the average player even notice the voice swap? Based on forums and social media reactions I’ve seen, many were completely fooled—a testament to Payne’s talent. It reminds me that voice acting often goes overlooked in an industry obsessed with celebrity cameos. How many other characters in our favorite games are brought to life by unsung heroes like Payne, whose names we might never learn but whose voices echo in our memories long after the credits roll?

In the end, Star Wars Outlaws does more than just deliver a scoundrel’s fantasy; it bridges gaps left by the movies and deepens the lore of a character many thought sidelined. And while Emilia Clarke’s face fills the screen, it’s Tamaryn Payne’s voice that gives Qi’ra her power in this corner of the galaxy. So next time you’re navigating a tense negotiation on Kijimi, take a moment to appreciate the artistry in every calculated pause and steely syllable. Who knows what other secrets the Outer Rim holds? I, for one, am eager to keep exploring—and listening.