Original Life is Strange actresses return for special episode

With the video game voice actors union no longer on strike, performers are able to return to the recording booth and resume some of their best known roles. Among the first to do so is Ashly Burch, the voice of Life is Strange’s Chloe Price, who will play the character one more time in an upcoming episode of the prequel series.

Square Enix announced that both Burch and actor Hannah Telle, the voice of Max Caulfield, will return for “Farewell,” the bonus episode included in Life is Strange: Before the Storm’s deluxe release. Both will launch early next year, and mark the reunion of two actors who were held back from the project due to the strike.

The lack of Burch in Before the Storm’s initial three episodes was deeply felt by fans. She originated the role of Chloe in the original Life is Strange season, where the misunderstood teen became an easy fan favorite. Chloe stars in the prequel miniseries, where she’s instead voiced by actress Rhianna DeVries.

While Burch was barred from voice work on Before the Storm by the SAG-AFTRA picket lines, she still participated behind the scenes. She worked as a script consultant on the project to ensure that developer Deck Nine captured Chloe’s spirit.

SAG-AFTRA and its constituents settled with the major gaming publishers in early November, after nearly two years of negotiations. The union won fairer wages and more transparency for their work on video games, and actors are now free to again work with major publishers like Activision, Electronic Arts and Square Enix.