“I Love How It Has Evolved:” Patricia Summersett Reflects On Finding Princess Zelda’s Voice Amid 10 Years With The Nintendo Franchise

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This year marks the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, a series celebrated for honoring its history while constantly innovating. Recent games, especially Breath of the Wild and its upcoming sequels and spin-offs, perfectly demonstrate this approach, even influencing the new live-action movie. Princess Zelda has been a central figure in this exciting era of the franchise.

For years, Zelda remained mostly silent in games. But with Breath of the Wild in 2016, she finally got a voice, thanks to voice actor Patricia Summersett. Summersett recently spoke with ComicBook about how she was cast as the princess, which other versions of Zelda she’d love to play, and what it’s like to be part of such an iconic series.

Finding Zelda’s Voice

Patricia Summersett has always been open about how surprising it was to become Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda. She described the casting process as a fascinating, multi-stage experience, noting she initially didn’t know what game she was auditioning for. The script she received had been altered to remove identifying details, so she went into the audition with her own ideas about how to portray the character. The script hinted at a princess burdened with responsibility and possessing a maturity beyond her years. Knowing she was playing a princess influenced her performance, leading her to aim for a higher vocal range to better suit a younger royal character.

When developing the character, the actor found herself drawing on her own life experiences. She envisioned the character as someone similar to her 19-year-old self—vulnerable, dignified, and somewhat reserved. This approach led to a callback, then several auditions, and ultimately the role of Zelda. After signing a non-disclosure agreement, she asked the directors if she could further enhance the voice to make it more magical, but they were happy with what she naturally brought to the character. She realized it was important to trust her instincts, follow their guidance, and allow the voice to develop organically over the ten years since.

Summersett knew it was crucial to build a solid backstory for the character, especially considering her significant role in the overall story. She researched previous versions of the character, starting with the Hyrule Historia, to find inspiration. She particularly drew from Zelda in The Twilight Princess. “Each Zelda is so unique, and a voice would drastically change them, creating entirely new characters. I’m especially fond of the Twilight Princess Zelda, partly because that game’s version of the Hylian language is what I studied. She has a real maturity and poise that not all Zeldas possess. The game itself has a beautifully dark atmosphere that I really appreciate, and that’s reflected in her character.”

Summersett recognizes how incredibly lucky she is to have landed the role and to be consistently brought back for new installments like Tears of the Kingdom and Hyrule Warriors. She explains, “I really just got lucky. The timing was perfect – the role was written when it was, and that allowed me to audition at the right time. It’s hard to imagine how things could have gone differently. If the timing had been off, or something else had happened during the audition, I might not have been chosen as the voice of Zelda in Breath of the Wild. I’m just incredibly grateful.”

A Decade Of Growth Amid A Timeless Legacy

Zelda is a central figure in the Legend of Zelda series, so it was significant to see her character develop more fully. Traditionally, she’s been portrayed as the princess Link needs to rescue, rather than a fully realized person with her own motivations. While some games have offered glimpses of her personality – like the strong-willed Zelda in Ocarina of Time, the confident Tetra from Wind Waker, or the elegant but sorrowful Zelda of Twilight Princess – this new focus represents a major shift.

As a gamer, I’ve always loved Zelda, but Breath of the Wild really changed how I saw her. They didn’t just make her a prize to be saved; she became a really important part of the story and felt like a real person with both strengths and weaknesses. It felt like her struggles built the world around us. And it’s been awesome seeing her grow – fighting to save a world that seemed lost in Breath of the Wild, embracing her destiny in Tears of the Kingdom, and even jumping into action herself in Hyrule Wars: Age of Imprisonment. It’s been a fantastic journey watching her evolve!

Summersett expressed her enjoyment watching the character embrace action-oriented roles. She particularly appreciated the character’s depth and complexity, noting the balance between her strengths and vulnerabilities, themes previously explored. She described playing such characters as a genuine pleasure, explaining that she’s often drawn to strong, multi-faceted female roles that feel authentic and relatable. She highlighted how this represents progress in the industry, acknowledging past limitations and emphasizing the ongoing need for compelling and nuanced storytelling.

Summersett understands the significance of voicing Zelda in such a popular game. Zelda is a cherished franchise with memorable characters that have resonated with generations of players, making her contribution a part of gaming history. As she shared, “I know I’ll always be a part of this story.” The experience has been profoundly impactful. After ten years with the franchise, she recognizes it’s a shared creation—a collaboration between players, developers, artists, and countless others. She feels like a small piece of something much larger, and meeting fans has been incredible. Seeing people she met as babies return years later, now grown, and hearing how much the franchise means to their families, has been a remarkable experience. It’s been amazing to witness a global community grow up alongside the games. Summersett considers being a part of the Zelda universe one of the greatest gifts of her career and life.

Reflecting on the past ten years, Summersett was surprised by how long she’s been involved with the Zelda character. This version of Zelda has been central to many games, allowing the voice actor to explore the character’s full journey – from a hesitant leader to a confident hero – in unexpected ways. Summersett continues to be delighted by Zelda’s humor, which she describes as subtle but always present, like “little bubbles of joy.” Despite the constant challenges Zelda faces, she maintains a quirky and endearing personality, finding joy in nature. Summersett feels this has been a wonderful and impactful experience, both professionally and personally, and she anticipates continuing in the role for a long time to come.

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2026-02-03 02:41