Actors Hannah Telle and Rhianna DeVries, the voices behind iconic characters Max and Chloe, are returning for Life is Strange: Reunion — and for DeVries, the role has never been more personal.
Speaking with QD, DeVries revealed how surviving a near-death experience shaped their performance in the upcoming game.
“I died in the emergency room”
“I was in a car accident… I died in the emergency room… and was revived,” DeVries revealed to QD.
“My parents and my best friend were there to see all of it as I flatlined,”
“Dealing with that situation was really illuminating in terms of, like, where my priorities were and how just how I view life and how precious life and my relationships are,” DeVries said.
READ MORE: Review | Life is Strange: Double Exposure — A Sequel With Greater Ambition (PC)
This new understanding is something that’s found its way directly into DeVries’ character, Chloe Price, who is now grappling with fractured timelines where she both lives and dies.
“When they told me that Chloe would have memories of both of those timelines, I went, oh, weird — same!”
“These stories and this character have allowed me the space to explore those things like love and death and grief,” they said.
As for Telle, she’s simply grateful that her friend — and someone she’s worked with for so many years — made it through.
“I’m glad you’re okay… I’m so happy that it’s you, Rhianna,” Telle said.
Growing up with Max and Chloe
For Telle, she’s found herself growing alongside her character Max Caulfield, sharing parallel emotions.
“I get to step into my own agency as a woman and as an actress, and all the other things that I want to do in life,” she said.
“It requires a sense of being bold and brave, and even though you’re afraid stepping out and doing it anyway and standing up straight, and holding your shoulders back, and trusting that you belong in the room — Max really goes through that.”
The Life is Strange series has been going strong for over a decade, with players also growing along with the characters.
“Their relationship was so strong that it broke time and space and, it’s really cool to get to come back to that,” Telle noted.
“It’s just been such a privilege to bear witness to some of the people that are fans of this game who have had their lives touched, who have been in really dark, hard places and have found light and happiness and joy in playing this game and losing themselves,” she said.
Life is Strange: Reunion is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam on March 27th.
Watch more from our interview in the YouTube player above.
