But then it must be.
The “step on me’s”.
The “mommy’s”.
Being known as the tall vampire lady.Becoming an icon.
But what leads to that fan reaction?
What is it about Lady Dimitrescu that’s enraptured fans so much?
“She’s totally sexy and beautiful and powerful,” says Robertson.
“I think that’s part of why she has made such an impact because she is unapologetically herself.
“I was just trying to create the character that I saw before me,” she says.
“And she is very curvy and sensual.
Robertson was responsible for the voice and movement of Lady Dimitrescu (the face model was Helena Mankowska).
All of that was inspired by the character design.
Her curves, sweeping hat and cigarette inspired her regal mannerisms.
She’s “a little transatlantic”.
“This game is very Shakespearean, because you’re in these really heightened spaces,” says Robertson.
“And Lady D is incredibly heightened.
Not just her height, but her style and mannerism in the way she speaks everything.
Her language is so ornate.”
“I really liked this idea of having an internal rhythm versus an external rhythm,” says Robertson.
And then internally is where her rhythm is more aggressive, a lot of slashing violence.
There has to be a real sense of potential for danger, that she could do something unexpected.”
The character certainly provided plenty of material for Robertson to sink her teeth into.
She loves playing villains to understand what makes them tick.
“[Lady D] chose to be a mother, she made her daughters.
So what does that say about her?
How does that impact her character and her motivations?”
“She loses all sight of the end goal with mother Miranda because her children were murdered.
That’s powerful stuff.
And that’s so juicy to play as an actor.
It just gave me so much to work with.
It was a blast.”
Since the game’s release, Lady Dimitrescu has taken on another life.
From memes, to cosplays, to makeup looks and fanfiction, Lady Dimitrescu truly stepped all over 2021.
“Once it’s out there, the audience then gets to take it.
It’s so so cool.”
It’s also led to the character becoming an icon specifically for the LGBT+ community.
“The fans always talk about how much we, the actors, give them.
But actually, you guys give us a lot back too.
Oh wow, highlight of my day going through all these!
Happy Pride yall!!
Love you so much!!!
Youre all WONDERFUL!!!!
(so many exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
“And I was worried that that would be reflected back onto me when I first was announced.
But I was very pleasantly surprised.
And it was about the work, which is what I want it to be about anyway.”
She describes it as “liberating” compared to her previous work in theatre and music.
The fan reaction also comes with a responsibility to be a role model.
And knowing yourself - I think it’s helpful to know yourself.”
But Robertson would love to play the role again in future.
“I think she’s so fascinating.
And she’s got so many more layers left to explore,” she says.
“Let me play the little derpy frog instead of the massive giantess vampire!”
“Lady D will be with me for the rest of my life,” she says.
