Critical Role, a leader in innovative, cross-platform storytelling, today announced Weird Kids, an original podcast video series starring Critical Role founders and lifelong weird kids Ashley Johnson (The Last of Us, Blindspot) and Taliesin Jaffe (Hellsing, The Legend of Vox Machina). Premiering March 20, Weird Kids is an intimate, hilarious, and tug-on-your-heartstings exploration into the experiences of former child actors navigating the entertainment industry, and, well, life.
Long before they were nerdy-ass voice actors, Johnson and Jaffe were child actors navigating the unpredictable world of Hollywood. Johnson landed her breakout role at just six years old as Chrissy Seaver on the hit sitcom Growing Pains. She went on to appear in live-action hits such as The Avengers, Fast Food Nation, and The Killing, with key voice acting roles in Recess, Teen Titans, Ben 10, King of the Hill, Infinity Train and more—all before becoming one of gaming and animation’s most recognizable voices. Meanwhile, Jaffe made his big-screen debut alongside Michael Keaton in Mr. Mom and appeared in numerous hit television series including The Facts of Life, St. Elsewhere, and She’s the Sheriff, earning two Young Artist Awards along the way.
Now, after years in front of the camera, behind the mic, and shaping the world of Critical Role, they’re reflecting on some of the wild, weird, challenging, and wonderful experiences that only child actors can truly understand.
“We wanted to create a space where we could share the ridiculous, surreal, and deeply personal stories that come with growing up in the industry,” said Ashley Johnson. “Weird Kids is for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t quite fit in—and we can’t wait for people to join us at the table.”
Blending candid storytelling, humor, and nostalgia, Weird Kids is part hilarious confession, part heartfelt reflection, and all-around love letter to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. For Johnson and Jaffe, being weird wasn’t just a personality trait—it was a way of life. Our resident weird kids pull back the curtain on what it was really like to be a kid in the industry—navigating behind-the-scenes chaos, forming friendships with fellow young actors, and learning to embrace their quirks in a world that often demanded they fit a mold. Through insider stories, bizarre childhood moments, and offbeat humor, Weird Kids delivers raw conversations, genuine heart, and plenty of laughs, making it a must-listen for both pop culture lovers and Critical Role fans alike.
“Weird Kids is a bit of nostalgia, a bit of history, plus a helping of personal issues and the inevitable eccentric trauma that comes along with it,” shared Taliesin Jaffe. “I’m proud to bring you the conversational equivalent of watching a vintage moped run head first into the back of a comically 1930s produce truck.“
To celebrate the premiere, Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe will host a LIVE Weird Kids launch party on Thursday, March 20th at 7PM PT via Beacon (beacon.tv), YouTube (youtube.com/criticalrole), and Twitch (twitch.tv/criticalrole). The live stream will share behind-the-scenes details about the making of the show, a Q&A with fans, and the premiere episode of the Weird Kids series. The video-on-demand will then officially release Tuesday, March 25th at 5AM Pacific on Beacon, YouTube, and podcast platforms.
After this, new episodes will be released every Tuesday at 5AM Pacific, exclusively on Beacon, where subscribers will also gain access to extended cuts and bonus content. You can also catch bite-sized moments from the show on Instagram @theweirdkidspod and YouTube @TheWeirdKidsPod. Plus, keep an eye on Beacon and Critical Role’s social channels for additional content rolling out periodically.
