As Zelda Turns 40, Voice Actress Patricia Summersett Reveals Hopes for the Future, And Clarifies Her Thoughts on Link and Zelda's 'Gorgeous' Relationship

IGN

by Tom Phillips

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

This week marks the 40th anniversary of *The Legend of Zelda*, yet Nintendo has made little effort to celebrate the milestone. With no new games or remakes on the horizon and minimal promotion for the upcoming live-action movie, fans are left wondering about the franchise’s future. To mark the occasion, we turned to Patricia Summersett, the voice of Princess Zelda in *Breath of the Wild*, *Tears of the Kingdom*, and their Hyrule Warriors spin-offs. Summersett has been part of the series for 10 years, a quarter of its entire history. She shared her thoughts on Zelda’s iconic British accent, her surprise at auditioning for the role without knowing it was Zelda, and her hopes for the franchise’s future. Despite speculation online about Link and Zelda’s relationship, Summersett clarified her personal views and expressed frustration over how the conversation unfolded. When Summersett first auditioned for Zelda, she had no idea she was stepping into such a iconic role. The script provided minimal details, leaving her to imagine a wise, young princess carrying the weight of the world. She also revealed that she auditioned for other roles, including Urbosa and possibly the Deku Tree, adding depth to her connection with the franchise. Her decision to give Zelda a British accent was inspired by her own upbringing in London, aiming to convey royalty and elevate the character’s presence. While the accent has evolved over time, it remains a defining feature of Zelda’s voice. Summersett’s involvement as Zelda spans four games, making her one of the longest-serving voice actors in the franchise. Her perspective on the series’ evolution and its characters adds a unique layer of insight for fans. As she reflects on her decade with Zelda, Summersett expresses gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to such a beloved series. Despite Nintendo’s silence on future plans, her enthusiasm for the franchise shines through, leaving hope that there is still more story to tell about Princess Zelda and her world

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Originally published on IGN on 2/26/2026