Disclaimer: This article is based on an interview with Anjali Bhimani conducted by TechRaptor. The original interview can be found here.
The highly anticipated release of Dimension 20: The Ravening War is in full swing, with three thrilling episodes already available to watch. With Matthew Mercer as the Dungeon Master and a stellar cast including Anjali Bhimani, who makes her Dimension 20 debut, the series promises to be a delightful prequel to the beloved “Game of Thrones meets Candyland” adventure, A Crown of Candy. TechRaptor had the privilege of sitting down with Bhimani to discuss her character, Lady Amangeaux Epicée du Peche, and gain some insight into this captivating new season.
A Crown of Candy, conceptualized by Brennan Lee Mulligan, combines the whimsy of Candyland with the intrigue of Game of Thrones, featuring six kingdoms based on different food groups. Bhimani explains her character’s unique blend of influences, stating, “Lady Amangeaux Epicée du Peche is a combination of Jessica Rabbit and Spicy Dried Mango.” She further elaborates on the name, saying, “Epicée means spiced, du Peche means of the Peach, and Lady Amangeaux is a made-up name for a mango trying to sound French.”
Lady Amangeaux’s story unfolds shortly after the death of her husband, the former king of Vegetania. Bhimani describes her character’s emotional state, saying, “That sense of unease and uncertainty is a big part of where Lady Amangeaux starts the game.” Despite her facade of capability, it becomes evident that she is out of her element. Bhimani adds, “She’s trying very hard to make it seem like she knows what she’s doing, but it becomes very evident very fast that she’s a fish out of water.”
When asked about her involvement in the project, Bhimani reveals, “It was Mercer texting me one night saying ‘Hey, I’m doing this thing and, no pressure, here’s the date but I need to know tonight.'” She enthusiastically agreed to be part of the series, explaining, “It’s Matt, so I was like ‘Yeah, of course!’ Then when I found out what it was, I was so happy I was beside myself because I wanted to do something with Dimension 20.”
Bhimani reflects on her co-stars, expressing admiration for Mercer as a fellow player and Aabriya Iyengar as the Dungeon Master of Exandria Unlimited. She also mentions watching Brennan Lee Mulligan and Lou Wilson on EXU: Calamity, a prequel series set in Mercer’s world of Exandria. Bhimani cherishes her time with the cast, stating, “The saddest part about The Ravening War for me was after only six episodes, it ended too soon. It’s a short time to fall in love with a group of characters.”
Addressing the challenges her character faces, Bhimani shares, “What do you do when your skills don’t mean anything?” Lady Amangeaux, who has honed her abilities within the court, finds herself in an unfamiliar world where her expertise may not be relevant.
The chemistry between Bhimani’s character and Bishop Raphaniel Charlock, played by Mulligan, adds another layer of depth to the narrative. Bhimani emphasizes the collaborative process between herself, Mercer, and Mulligan in shaping their characters’ roles within the world of The Ravening War.
With regard to her approach to character creation and performance, Bhimani emphasizes the importance of internal obstacles. She explains, “I think every character has to have one deep obstacle within themselves that they don’t even realize is there.” Uncovering these aspects and exploring the character’s personal journey through relationships and circumstances adds depth and authenticity to their portrayal.
While Bhimani couldn’t reveal specific details about the season, she did mention that unexpected twists and turns await both the cast and viewers. Bhimani shares, “There are definitely some moments where I was surprised. There are some revelations in the game that I didn’t see coming, and those are always the most fun.”
The Ravening War premiered on May 10th, and with three episodes already released, fans can dive into the captivating world of Dimension 20. New episodes are available every subsequent Wednesday, and the first episode can be watched for free on the Dropout YouTube channel.
