2026 has already given us many breakout stars, from the Oscar-bound Inde Navarrete to the triple threat that is Jaafar Jackson. However, one of the most popular and beloved has to be James Norton, who stole the show in House of the Dragon Season 3 as the utterly despicable and loathsome Ormund Hightower. Norton is not exactly a newcomer, having already starred in major projects like Happy Valley and Greta Gerwig‘s Little Women. However, this year he truly rose to a new level, finally getting the international and widespread recognition he has long deserved.

One of Norton’s greatest strengths as a performer is his remarkable versatility. He can go from playing a charming reverend to a ruthless criminal in the blink of an eye, and that range spreads to the voice acting realm. Indeed, Norton’s voice has brought two books to life and, most notably, given life to one of the best video game characters of the 2000s: Cole, the unique and odd spirit from 2014’s Game of the Year winner, Dragon Age: Inquisition. In writing alone, Cole is already compelling and unique, but Norton’s voice elevates the character to new heights, turning him into one of the best and most tragic figures in modern gaming.

What Is ‘Dragon Age: Inquisition’ About?

Dragon Age: Inquisition is set in the continent of Thedas, which is constantly overrun by deadly events known as Blights, where Darkspawn from the Deep Roads encounter a high dragon and taint it, creating an Archdemon and launching a demonic invasion that can last for decades. Prior to the game, a civil war between mages and templars erupted, causing Divine Justinia to summon a conclave. However, the conclave is attacked by an unknown enemy, leaving only one survivor with a mark on their right hand. Furthermore, there is now a huge tear in the sky, a breach between Thedas and The Fade, a metaphysical realm populated by spirits, demons, and dreams.

The player controls the one survivor, nicknamed the Herald of Andraste and later assuming the role of Inquisitor. Along with their companions, the Inquisitor travels Thedas, recruiting allies and expanding the Inquisition’s influence. Among the main goals are closing the smaller rifts between Thedas and The Fade, fighting demons, and facing rogue mages and templars. The Inquisitor must also uncover the truth behind the attack on the Conclave, ultimately discovering the ancient Tevinter Magister Corypheus as the one responsible.

Who Is Cole in ‘Dragon Age: Inquisition’?

In Dragon Age: Inquisition, Cole is one of the Inquisitor’s companions. He can be recruited if the player chooses to side with the Templars, thus embarking on the quest Champions of the Just, where Cole acts like a guide. If the player instead sides with the mages and thus embarks on the quest In Hushed Whispers, Cole arrives during the main quest In Your Heart Shall Burn. Whatever the player’s choice is, Cole still arrives and can later be recruited as a proper companion.

The most complex and original of all the Inquisition companions, Cole is a spirit of compassion in human form, trapped between two worlds and attempting to find purpose by helping others. In his human life, Cole was a mage who killed his abusive father and was taken to The Spire, where he was tortured and eventually starved to death. During his captivity, a spirit of compassion reached out, eventually assuming his body and memories. Cole has the unique ability to sense and ease other people’s pain. He can also make others forget him, which he will do to the Inquisitor if his approval drops beyond the turning point.

Cole’s story in the game involves embracing either his human or spirit sides; Varric encourages the former, and Solas the latter. Ultimately, it’s up to the player whether Cole becomes more human or more spirit. Either way, he remains in the Inquisition until Corypheus’ defeat, later leaving with either his love, the minstrel Maryden, if he’s more human or alone on a quest to bring peace to others’ minds if he’s more spirit.

Why Is Cole Such a Great Character?

Cole is an incredibly complex and compelling character. Because of his unique nature as a spirit inhabiting the physical world, he is wholly unprepared to deal with human emotions. He senses suffering but has trouble understanding most other emotions. He also speaks in a distinct cadence, using poetic, stream-of-consciousness staccato phrases that often puzzle or outright disturb others. In fact, he can be rather intrusive, revealing deep secrets or unearthing uncomfortable truths that make other companions come to terms with their own demons.

It’s here that Norton’s voice acting is so crucial. The actor uses a boyish innocent tone making Cole seem like a youth starting to discover the world around him. Norton really sells Cole’s obliviousness, especially when it comes to his profound quotes. The actor uses a soft but purposeful tone making Cole a curious contradiction: he is incredibly wise and perceptive yet wholly detached and unaware, like a child delivering some of life’s hardest truths.

Norton is crucial to selling Cole’s intricacies. The writing itself is really great as you would expect from a Game of the Year winner made at BioWare’s peak glory days but Norton’s delivery elevates it by injecting so much passion and emotion into already poetic lines. His tone is fixed stoic but full of feeling quick and desperate to understand everything he senses but can’t properly explain. Norton often appears out of breath while delivering Cole’s stream-of-consciousness lines each word making less sense than before. Every line from this delightful character is a riddle draped in heavy symbolism, highly evocative yet utterly confusing unless you’re willing to interpret his words through an allegorical lens. Funnily enough Cole spoils several movies in his trademark approach: for instance “It wasn’t from a flower. He rode it in snow,” references Citizen Kane.

This balance is tricky but Norton pulls it off with flying colors. It’s so impressive that it’s actually surprising he hasn’t done more voice roles. His voice is so textured and alive, making him seem like a natural fit for this underappreciated art form. Still at least we have Cole—a true gift of character that ranks among the greatest in 2010s largely because of Norton.