Bringing Hans Capon to Life: Luke Dale Talks Acting, Motion Capture, and Character Growth

Luke Dale has been bringing the charismatic yet arrogant nobleman Hans Capon to life for nearly a decade in Warhorse Studios’ Kingdom Come: Deliverance series. Initially auditioning for the role of Henry, Dale instead found his perfect fit in the complex character of Hans—a spoiled noble with hidden depth and a strong bond with the game’s protagonist. In this interview, Dale reflects on his journey with Kingdom Come, from the challenges of motion capture to Hans’ character growth in the sequel. He also shares insights into his acting process, memorable moments on set, and his aspirations in both gaming and film.

How did you first get involved with Kingdom Come: Deliverance? Did you audition specifically for the role of Hans Capon?

Yes, I initially auditioned via self-tape for the role of Henry, but Dan Vávra thought I’d be a better fit for Hans. They flew me out to Prague on February 1, 2016, I read for Hans, and the rest is history!

What was your initial impression of Hans Capon when you read the script? Did you connect with him right away?

Not necessarily—Hans can be a belligerent, pompous, spoiled brat, and I’d like to think I don’t share those qualities! But there’s a lot of depth to him. He’s brave, and much of his arrogance is just bravado. Deep down, he has a heart of gold. I connected more with his authenticity—he is who he is, unapologetically.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance is set in 15th-century Bohemia. Did you do any research into the history of the region when preparing for the role?

Absolutely, it was crucial to stay true to history as much as possible and follow Warhorse's example. I made sure to understand the political climate and the medieval way of life for a nobleman. But honestly, with a story as vast as Kingdom Come, a lot of it is about showing up, staying grounded in the immediate circumstances, and committing fully to each moment. Having the support of the amazing team at Warhorse made it easier to stay in that mindset.

Hans Capon is a complex character—arrogant but also charming. How did you approach balancing those traits in your performance?

A lot of that balance comes from the writing—it’s all there in the script. All I have to do is commit to the fantastic material in front of me, and it just works. Hans is such a well-written, complex character, and that depth is what makes the buddy dynamic with Henry so strong. It’s the contrast between his arrogance and his charm that makes him so compelling.

Did you have any personal influences or inspirations when crafting Capon’s personality and voice?

I didn’t base Hans on anyone in particular—he just came naturally to me when reading the part. He sort of jumped off the page, and I instinctively knew what he sounded like.

How do you think Hans matures as a character in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2?

Hans definitely faces more serious challenges in KCD2—it feels like the world is trying to humble him. As he takes on more responsibility, he starts to realize just how much danger comes with it. But the way he handles these struggles is pretty heroic, and that growth adds a whole new layer to his character.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance games used motion capture and voice acting—how was that experience for you? Did you find it different from other acting work?

I’ve been doing motion capture and voice work with Warhorse for nine years now, so it’s become second nature. At first, it was tricky, but I’ve really come to relish the challenge. It forces you to use your imagination far more than TV or film.

Were there any particularly challenging scenes or moments in the recording process? What was your favorite scene or line as Hans Capon?

The hanging scene in KCD2 was definitely one of the toughest—it was a heavy day, and it took a lot of focus to give the moment the weight it deserved. As for my favorite line? Audentes fortuna iuvat, of course!

Did you have much creative freedom in how you delivered Hans Capon’s lines, or was it strictly scripted?

I had a lot of freedom in how I delivered Hans’ lines, but honestly, with writing this good, there’s never any need to add anything. It’s all there on the page—I just had to bring it to life.

Hans Capon and Henry have a dynamic relationship that shifts throughout both games. Was their chemistry influenced by your real-life interactions with Tom McKay?

Absolutely! Spending so much time together in the studio, messing around on set, and developing our own friendship naturally fed into Henry and Hans’ dynamic. That real-life bond made it so much easier to slip into their relationship and bring that chemistry to life on screen.

How has the process of bringing Hans Capon to life changed between Kingdom Come: Deliverance and its sequel? Have there been any differences in motion capture, voice recording, or direction compared to the first game?

One of the biggest changes between the first game and the sequel is the addition of facial capture. Now, every little thing I do—not just in voice and movement, but also in facial expressions—gets captured and used. It really lifts the cutscenes and brings an extra level of nuance to the performances.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance has a dedicated fanbase—what has the response been like for you personally? Any memorable fan interactions?

The response has been incredible! Right from the day of the announcement, the whole dev team, Tom, and I have been overwhelmed by the love and dedication from the fans. It’s amazing to see how much people care about this world and its characters—it really makes all the hard work worth it.

In addition to acting, you’re also a director. Do you prefer being behind the camera or in front of it?

Honestly, I love both, but acting was my first love, and it will probably always be the thing that gives me the most creative satisfaction.

What’s your dream role in either gaming, film, or TV?

My dream role would be playing Bobby in Company by Stephen Sondheim. I'd also love to be part of something as perfect as Succession (HBO). If I ever got the chance, I’d know I’d truly made it.

Would you be interested in directing a video game in the future, given your experience as a director?

I’d absolutely love to direct a video game in the future. If the right project came along, I’d jump at the chance to give it a go.