Star Wars Zero Company’s Hero Is Spiritually Texan, Lead Actor Says
Bit Reactor’s upcoming Star Wars strategy game Zero Company features Hawks, a unique protagonist voiced by Jonathan Freeman. Freeman, who grew up in Texas, has brought his native accent to the character, creating a distinctive personality for the player character and leader of the game’s titular Zero Company.
Freeman explained to Polygon that his Texas drawl emerged naturally during voice acting when he became comfortable with the character. Rather than removing it, he intentionally leaned into the accent, believing it added a sense of weatheredness and ruggedness that complemented Hawks’ characterization.
This creative choice distinguishes Hawks from other Star Wars protagonists like Luke Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, whose identities are rooted in their fictional planets. Instead, Hawks carries the cultural and vocal characteristics of Freeman’s real-world Texas heritage into the galaxy far, far away. The decision highlights an interesting approach to bringing authenticity and personality to a Star Wars game character through voice performance, making the protagonist memorable through Freeman’s distinctive regional accent.