One of 2026’s Biggest Breakout Stars First Stole the Show in This Classic Fantasy Game
James Norton has reached a wider audience in 2026 through his role as Ormund Hightower in *House of the Dragon*, but his voice work as Cole in *Dragon Age: Inquisition* showed his range years earlier. The article argues that Norton’s performance helps make Cole one of the game’s most memorable and tragic characters.
Released in 2014, *Dragon Age: Inquisition* follows the Inquisitor, who works to close rifts between the world of Thedas and the spirit realm of the Fade. Cole is a companion and a spirit of compassion inhabiting a human form, able to sense and ease people’s pain. Players can shape whether he leans towards his human or spirit nature, influencing how he leaves the Inquisition after Corypheus is defeated.
In short
- James Norton voices Cole in *Dragon Age: Inquisition*.
- Cole is a spirit of compassion caught between two worlds.
- Players decide whether Cole becomes more human or spirit.
Explained simply
Dragon Age: Inquisition is a fantasy role-playing game released in 2014. Players take the role of the Inquisitor, who leads a group trying to close rifts between Thedas and the Fade, a spirit realm.
Cole is one of the Inquisitor’s companions. He is a spirit of compassion in human form, able to sense and ease people’s pain. Players’ choices shape whether he becomes more human or remains closer to his spirit nature, affecting what he does after the group defeats Corypheus.
James Norton voices Cole; years later, he reached a wider audience as Ormund Hightower in House of the Dragon. Cole’s story matters to the game because his changing nature and uncertain place among people make him a distinctive part of the Inquisition’s journey.