Summary
ZeniMax Online Studios official Bill Slavicsek has defendedThe Elder Scrolls Online’s inclusion of its first non-binary companion, Tanlorin. He did so as part of a recent interview that also saw him share some new details about how ZeniMax cast thisTES Onlinerole.
Tanlorin was introduced as part ofTES Online’s update44, which rolled out to PC and Mac players on October 28 and is scheduled to reach their console-owning peers on November 13. The High Elf outcast is one of the two new companions included in this newly debuted patch. Ever since ZeniMax revealed Tanlorin in early October 2024, some social media users have been criticizing the studio for the character’s inclusion, claiming that their non-binary gender is out of place inTES Online’s universe.
ZeniMax Project Narrative Director Bill Slavicsek sees this backlash as unfounded, having said as much in a recent interview. Speaking toTheGamer, the industry veteran argued thatThe Elder Scrollsuniverse has always been big on representation, thus framing the arrival of Tanlorin as a continuation of this practice. “We have mixed marriages and gay and lesbian characters in abundance throughout the game,” he explained, adding that it “makes sense” for ZeniMax to represent “all possibilities” because it treats Tamriel just like the real world.
Tanlorin Fits Into The Elder Scrolls' Inclusive Lore, TES Online Dev Says
Slavicsek also pointed out that whileThe Elder Scrolls Online’s version of Tamrielis highly inclusive, ZeniMax doesn’t “shout from the rooftops” about this being the case. In-game characters that don’t conform to typical gender or sexuality norms just exist, and others don’t find them unusual. Aside from mortals, this even extends to beings like Daedric Princes, whom the lore established as able to appear as any gender long beforeTES Onlinewas ever a thing. “It’s part of the world and so it’s no big deal,” Slavicsek explained.
It’s part of the world and so it’s no big deal.
Following up on this train of thought, Slavicsek concluded that Tanlorin very much fits intoThe Elder Scrollsloreand—consequently—TES Online. Therefore, he’s of the opinion that people complaining about Tanlorin’s inclusion being immersion-breaking are “wrong.”
It Was ‘Extremely Important’ For Tanlorin To Be Played by Non-Binary Actor
On a related note, Slavicsek explained that it was “extremely important” for ZeniMax to find a non-binary actor to play Tanlorin, not least because behind-the-scenes representation is crucial to authenticity. The company ultimately decided on Puerto Rican actor Vico Ortiz, best known for their role of Jim Jimenez in theHBO Max period romantic comedyOur Flag Means Death. Slavicsek praised Ortiz for their portrayal, saying they did a “great job” bringing Tanlorin to life.
Elder Scrolls Online
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Experience an ever-expanding story across all of Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls Online, an award-winning online RPG. Explore a rich, living world with friends or embark upon a solo adventure. Enjoy complete control over how your character looks and plays, from the weapons you wield to the skills you learn – the choices you make will shape your destiny. Welcome to a world without limits.PLAY THE WAY YOU LIKE: Battle, craft, steal, siege, or explore, and combine different types of armor, weapons, and abilities to create your own style of play. The choice is yours to make in a persistent, ever-growing Elder Scrolls world.TELL YOUR OWN STORY: Discover the secrets of Tamriel as you set off to regain your lost soul and save the world from Oblivion. Experience any story in any part of the world, in whichever order you choose – with others or alone.A MULTIPLAYER RPG: Complete quests with friends, join fellow adventurers to explore dangerous, monster-filled dungeons, or take part in epic PvP battles with hundreds of other players.
