Harry Dyer on the Long Road to Voice Acting Success

Harry Dyer is an actor, writer, and voice artist from the UK. He’s been working professionally as an actor for over a decade, and performing has always been part of who he is. From doing funny character voices as a kid to building a home studio, landing game and animation work, and joining Tara Strong’s Voicelings, Harry’s journey is a reminder that voice acting is equal parts craft, patience, heart, and persistence.

We interviewed Harry Dyer about his voice acting journey – where it started, what’s kept him going, and why the long road is worth it when you know you’re doing what you were put here to do.

Harry’s Origin Story

Give us a quick bio.
My name’s Harry Dyer. I am an actor, writer, and voice artist from Kingston-upon-Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire, UK. I’ve been a professional actor since 2009, when I graduated from drama school. But deep down, I’ve always been a performer and an entertainer.

When did you first realize voice acting was something you wanted to pursue?
I always liked doing voices. That was one of the things I was known for – doing funny character voices. I used to copy scenes from films and TV shows, and I could recite them word for word from start to finish. That was how I practiced.

At drama school, we had training in acting for radio and radio plays. I remember being in the booth with some of my fellow actors and thinking, "This is quite nice, actually." With stage and screen, storytelling is very visual, but with voiceover, it’s all about your voice. I remember thinking you can literally create entire worlds and multiple characters, and all you need is your voice.

What was the moment that made you think, “Okay… this could actually be a career”?
I booked a few voiceover jobs when I lived in Manchester: commercials, video games, and little animations. I’d go in, do the script, and get paid. I remember thinking, " This is pretty good.

Later, I got a Blue Yeti microphone and started auditioning for voiceover roles from home around the end of 2018 into 2019. Then 2020 hit, and voiceover became one of the main ways creative work could still happen. I focused much more energy on it, started investing in my home studio, and really found my stride.

Before voice acting, what path did you think you were on?
Acting is the only path I’ve ever really been on. I’ve done standard 9-to-5 jobs over the years, but I always knew I was going to be a performer and an entertainer. It’s the only thing I truly enjoy, and it’s where I shine the brightest.

There was never really a Plan B. That can be difficult, because people will try to talk you out of it. But when it’s the core of who you are, that’s hard to ignore. I was lucky in a way – from before I was even a teenager, I knew this was what I wanted to do.

Who or what inspired you early on to use your voice creatively?
Ever since I saw Who Framed Roger Rabbit, I felt like a toon trapped in a human’s body, and voice acting became a way to express that. Jim Cummings, Gary Martin, Mel Blanc, Rob Paulsen, Tress MacNeille, and, of course, Tara Strong were all huge inspirations.

The Call to Voice Acting

What did your first recording setup look like — and how does that compare to today?
My first home setup was a Blue Yeti microphone, my desk, some foam stuck to cardboard, and a little fold-out shell around the back of the mic. That was it!

I actually booked a few jobs with that setup, including a role in an animated feature called Absolute Denial. Looking back, you can hear the room sound, but for a start, it wasn’t bad.

Now I’ve got a Neumann U87, an interface, and a proper booth built around me in my office. It’s worlds different, but it all came from those humble beginnings.

Was there a specific class, coach, or mentor that changed everything for you?
A few people really stand out. Ed Jones, who taught the Acting for Radio block at drama school, was one of the first people to tell me, “You’re really good at this. You should do this more.”

Sarah Nightingale helped me a lot in the early days and got me more involved in the voiceover community. Then Joshua Seth, through The Voice Over Champions, really boosted my confidence. Growing up with Digimon, that meant a lot.

Most recently, joining Voicelings changed things for me. I came in with no real expectations, but it made everything feel real. Tara has been fantastic and one of the best mentors and people I’ve had the chance to connect with. It reassured me that I’m where I’m meant to be.

What were the biggest doubts or fears you had at the start?
It was really just that voice we all have in us – the inner naysayer. You’re stepping onto a big stage, and there are a lot of people. I just practice the art of not listening to that voice. You’ve got to be realistic, but you’ve also got to follow your heart.

How did you know it was time to take voice acting seriously?
There were a couple of 9-to-5 jobs that didn’t work out, and I remember having those moments where you look in the mirror and think, why am I trying to be something that I’m not? There are bills to pay, of course, but it’s not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. That’s when I knew I needed to put more focus on acting.

The Grind & Growth

What part of the journey was harder than you expected?
The hardest thing has just been the time. I’m 38 now, and I graduated from drama school in 2009. That’s a lot of years of working, auditioning, and investing in the craft. But time is the most precious currency we have, and if you’re willing to invest it in your craft, then it must mean something.

What skills beyond acting are essential for voice actors?
Ironically, a good voice actor has to be a good listener. You’ve got to absorb the world around you: the way people speak, the cadences, the nuances. That all helps you become a better performer.

How did you learn to handle rejection and silence between bookings?
Silence and rejection are part of the game. If you don’t have a thick skin, you’re not going to last long in this business.

One thing that really helped me was being on the casting side of things. I wrote and starred in a film, and when we were casting, I realized so many people who didn’t get the part were still fantastic. It wasn’t that they were bad; it was just that one person had the specific thing we were looking for. That helped me stop taking rejection so personally.

Now I do an audition, send it off into the ether, and forget about it. The audition is the job. When you get the job, that’s the fun bit.

How long did it take before momentum started to feel real?
It really started to feel real in 2023, when I thought, right, I’m going to put more energy into this. The castings started coming through, I started landing roles, and I could see the work out in the world. And when you get paid for it, you realize this isn’t just a hobby anymore. It’s real.

Joining Voicelings also made it feel real. You stop feeling like there’s a dividing line and start feeling like you’re actually in the game.

Voice Acting Wins & Milestones

Which project are you most proud of and why?
A few stand out. Wildwood Down was really special because there was so much heart behind it, and I was honored to be part of it and to play the Crab King.

I’ve also loved working with Joybot on The Epilogue of Endings and Galactic Defense Force. And getting cast in Nioh 3 was a huge moment for me. I got that AAA game on my own, without an agent, and that made me feel really proud.

Are there any achievements that surprised you?
Honestly, joining Voicelings and being so warmly received surprised me. I’m used to blending in, so getting that kind of feedback from Tara and from other voice legends, too, felt like finally being seen. It’s done wonders for my confidence. It made me feel like anything’s possible.

Was there a moment you realized, “I belong here”?
Joining Voicelings and connecting with so many great people made me feel like I was part of that world. And getting cast in Nioh 3 without an agent felt like a real turning point, too. That was a moment where I thought, yeah, I’ve arrived.

Craft & Process

How do you approach building a character with just your voice?
I like to see a picture if I can, because it helps shape the performance. If there isn’t one, I use the breakdown and any voice references, then find the character's essence and make it my own. Even if it’s a monster, I want to understand where they’re coming from so the voice has layers.

What’s your audition process like?
I read the breakdown, check any voice references, and go over the lines a few times while trying different takes. If it fits, I’ll also try something close to my natural voice, because that can bring something unique. Then I record it, send it off, and move on to the next one!

How has your approach to voice acting changed over time?
I’ve become a lot more tech savvy, and I take the business and networking side of things more seriously now. Creating content is fun, but it’s also part of building your brand. As an actor, you are your own brand, and you want people to know what you bring to the table.

Looking Ahead to Your Voice Acting Future

What kinds of roles or projects do you want to explore next?
I would love to play a character in a TV show, game, or movie that really resonates with people. I’d love to give someone that same feeling of comfort and familiarity you get from the voices that shaped your childhood. One iconic character would be great.

What does success look like for you now compared to when you started?
When I started, success felt like this giant, impossible goal at the top of a mountain. Now I realize success can be lots of small things throughout the day. For me now, success is being able to do the things in life that make you happy and being able to say, see, I was right. This is what I’m meant to be doing.

What legacy do you hope to build through your work?
I’d want to have made people’s lives better. I’d love to have been a positive presence in somebody’s life through my work and to have brought more light into the world.

Wisdom for the Next Generation of Voice Actors

What advice would you give aspiring voice actors?
Practice your craft and sharpen your tools. Being a voice actor means being able to act. Put the work in. If there is no work, make the work. Keep doing it.

Community matters too. One of the best things about the voiceover world is how open and supportive it can be. Mirror that energy. Be supportive of other people, too.

And training is extremely important. You’ve got to know how to act, how to use your voice, and how to breathe properly. Put the time in.

If you’re on the fence, I always come back to something Robert Englund once said to me: “Keep the faith and test your love for it. If it’s something you really care about, you’ll know.”

Q&A Lightning Round

If your voice could live in one animated world forever, which would it be?
Looney Tunes, Disney, Nintendo, or One Piece. Those worlds shaped me not just as a performer, but as a person.

What cartoon character teaches the best life lessons?
Arnold from Hey, Arnold!. Looking back, that show taught a lot about kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Dream collaboration?
Tara Strong. The idea of us both being in the booth together would be incredible.

One word to describe your journey so far?
Long.

Coffee, tea, or Irn-Bru?
Black coffee every time. No milk, no sugar. Just strong and black.

Where can we follow your voice acting journey?

Website: https://www.harrydyer.co.uk/

Instagram: @hazerd87

TikTok: @hazerd.87

Thank you for sharing your time and story with us, Harry! We wish you all the best and every success on your voice acting journey, and we are honored to have you in the Voicelings Community.

Join Voicelings

Harry’s story reminds us that voice acting isn’t about overnight success. It’s about sharpening your craft, trusting your instincts, staying in the game, and finding the right people to grow with.

At Voicelings, that’s exactly what we’re building: a place where voice actors can train, connect, gain confidence, and make their voice acting dreams come true.