Critical Role taps Brennan Lee Mulligan as the Game Master for their upcoming main series, following his signing of a three-year contract extension with Dropout, as reported exclusively.
Critical Role, the popular tabletop role-playing game stream, is set to embark on a new journey with Campaign 4, premiering on October 2, 2025. This new campaign marks a significant departure from the Exandria setting, as it will be run by Brennan Lee Mulligan, replacing long-time Game Master Matthew Mercer.
Mulligan, known for his work on Dimension 20 and Exandria Unlimited, will bring his signature depth, humor, and storytelling style to Campaign 4. The exact plot details and game system have not been fully revealed yet, but the campaign promises a fresh setting, tone, and story distinct from past Critical Role narratives.
In a strategic shift for Critical Role, this new campaign represents the platform's evolution beyond its original setting and founder GM. Mulligan, who is best known as the dungeon master for his Dropout actual-play series "Dimension 20", has signed a new three-year development deal at Dropout (formerly CollegeHumor).
The campaign will be "ushering in a new era with new legends to be forged in a brand new world", according to Critical Role. Mulligan is excited about pursuing new series and projects outside of "Dimension 20" for Dropout.
Matthew Mercer and Exandria are "taking a break," with Mercer working on other projects, notably the Age of Umbra miniseries. More details on the cast, game system, and plot are expected to be announced closer to or after the release date.
The season will be available for streaming on Critical Role streamer Beacon.tv, as well as Critical Role's YouTube and Twitch channels on Oct. 2. Beacon subscribers will get "exclusive access to all episodes of Critical Role Cooldown for Campaign 4".
Mulligan is considering Katie's strictly D6 rolling method for future work, but wants to see if it can include tactical movement and additional rules. Meanwhile, Katie Marovitch's "Dimension 20: On a Bus" may receive a full season, but Mulligan has reservations due to Marovitch's superior skills as a "Dragon Master".
The campaign will be run on a yet-to-be-announced game system for the new "Critical Role" campaign. Izzy Roland's "Even More Buttholes" video is a dark horse contender for the "Fool's Gold" episode of "Game Changer".
Critical Role's staple Game Master, Matt Mercer, will take a break during Campaign 4. Mulligan enjoys making custom shoes for the American Girl doll Josefina in his spare time. Dropout has an expanding development team, including Paul Robalino, Rosie Kaller, and Elyse Findley.
Mulligan is looking into unscripted content as a potential new direction for Dropout. However, a notable incident occurred when Katie Marovitch vandalized Mulligan's home after he asked her to make additional rules for the D6 system.
As Campaign 4 approaches, fans can look forward to a fresh start for Critical Role, with new adventures, new characters, and a new world to explore. VOD will be available for everyone the following Monday, and podcast episodes will drop in two parts: the first one the week after the premiere, and the second on the following Tuesday.
Celebrities like Brennan Lee Mulligan, known for his expansion into Dropout, will bring a new era of entertainment to Critical Role's Campaign 4, as pop-culture icons like Matthew Mercer take a break to focus on other projects. In this new campaign, celebrities and fans alike will immerse themselves in a fresh setting and story that promises to be distinct from past Critical Role narratives.
