MCM Birmingham Comic Con is set to close out the 2025 convention calendar with a significant injection of star power, bridging the worlds of Hollywood cinema, classic British sci-fi, and the current titan of the tabletop-digital crossover sphere, Baldur’s Gate 3.
Running from Friday, 28th November to Sunday, 30th November at the NEC, ReedPop has confirmed a guest list that leans heavily into voice talent and nostalgia, alongside a headline appearance from X-Men star James McAvoy.
For those organising travel to the NEC, booking early is usually the only way to avoid the inevitable price surge. You can check for rail options via The Trainline or National Express for coach travel. If you are looking for accommodation near the convention centre, Trip.com or Hotel Planner are often reliable aggregators for comparing local rates.
The Party Gathers: Baldur’s Gate 3
For the Geek Native audience, arguably the most significant draw is the heavy presence of the Baldur’s Gate 3 cast. Larian Studios’ adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition has maintained its grip on the RPG community, and the Birmingham show brings together a significant portion of the core party.
Neil Newbon, celebrated for his BAFTA-nominated performance as the rogue Astarion, will be attending on Friday and Saturday. He is joined by Tim Downie (Gale), Jennifer English (Shadowheart), Aliona Baranova (Corinna/Xeph), and Devora Wilde (Lae’zel).
The cast is scheduled to appear on the Live Stage for a group panel on Saturday at 3:15 PM. Given the continued fervour surrounding the game, this is likely to be a capacity event.
Hollywood and Time Lords
In a major booking for the convention, James McAvoy will be attending the Saturday and Sunday of the show. While mainstream audiences know him from Split and Atonement, genre fans recognise him as the younger Professor Charles Xavier from the X-Men prequels and Lord Asriel in His Dark Materials. McAvoy will host a spotlight panel on the Main Stage on Saturday.
On the television front, a significant Doctor Who reunion is confirmed. Four incarnations of the Doctor—Sylvester McCoy (Seventh), Colin Baker (Sixth), Paul McGann (Eighth), and Peter Davison (Fifth)—will share the stage. While multi-Doctor panels are not unprecedented, the inclusion of McGann, whose tenure has been largely defined by Big Finish audio dramas rather than screen time, is always a welcome addition for lore-heavy Whovians.
Voice Acting Heavyweights
Beyond Faerûn, the voice talent roster is robust. Charles Martinet, the voice of Mario for over three decades, heads up the list. Having stepped back from the role in 2023 to become a “Mario Ambassador”, appearances like this offer a retrospective on a career that defined the sound of Nintendo.
From the anime sector, Caitlin Glass (Winry Rockbell in Fullmetal Alchemist) and Omid Abtahi (Dr. Pershing in The Mandalorian, but also a prolific voice actor in Diablo IV and World of Warcraft) are confirmed. Damien Haas, known for Smosh and voicing Laios in the recent hit Delicious in Dungeon (Dungeon Meshi), will also attend, furthering the TTRPG-adjacent themes of the weekend.
Indie Games and Industry Presence
Moving away from celebrity culture, ReedPop has partnered with Game Republic to curate a showcase of indie titles from developers based in the North of England.
Attendees will have hands-on access to 16 titles, including An Elaborate History of Chess, Positron, and The Cascadier. For those interested in the mechanics of game development rather than just the finished product, this area usually offers better access to creators than the AAA booths.
Festive Elements
With the event landing in late November, the organisers are leaning into the “festive” timing. The “Treehouse” family zone will host seasonal activities, including pottery colouring and a “musical story hour” featuring Wicked themes.
Crucially for parents introducing the next generation to geek culture, children under four enter free, with discounted tickets available for those aged 10 and under.
MCM Birmingham Comic Con takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 28-30 November 2025.
