Summary
Tiny Tina may be absent fromBorderlands 4, according to her long-time voice actor Ashly Burch. Alternatively, though less likely, Gearbox may have recast the popular character forBorderlands 4.
Originally introduced as a minor character inBorderlands 2, Tiny Tina quickly established herself as a fan favorite. As a 13-year-old explosives expert with unpredictable behavior, quirky quips, and a fleshed-out backstory, she managed to stand out in an already stacked roster of memorable characters. She went on to appear in every subsequent series entry and starred inBorderlands 2DLCTiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep. As of 2025,Tiny Tina is popular to the point of having her ownBorderlandscomic book seriesand has already received a standalone game, the 2022Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. 2K previously even said it considersTTWas the start of a standalone franchise due to how successful it was.
Despite being as popular as ever, Tiny Tina may not bereturning inBorderlands 4, as recently suggested by her voice actor, Ashly Burch. During a May 2025 episode ofThe Games That Made Mepodcast, Burch said she wasn’t contacted to reprise her role, either for the fourth mainline installment in the series or any other project,GamesRadar+reports.
Borderlands 4 Voice Acting Should Already Be Done by Now
While the episode itself was filmed earlier in the year, voice recording for AAA games typically occurs during the middle third of (active) development. SinceBorderlands 4is slated for release on September 12, it is unlikely that voice work for the game remains incomplete, and most casting decisions related to the project were presumably done several years ago. Taken at face value, Burch’s comments thus suggest Tiny Tina won’t be appearing in the upcoming title.
An alternative explanation for Gearbox not contacting Burch to return is that the studio simply opted to recast the role. However, with Tiny Tina being among themost popularBorderlandscharactersand Burch’s performance being an integral part of her identity, such a decision would almost certainly lead to backlash, making it somewhat less likely.
A more plausible explanation may be that Burch is intentionally withholding information, and that Tiny Tina will, in fact, return inBorderlands 4, with the reveal planned for a later stage in the game’s marketing cycle. Gearbox and 2K have so far been gradually releasing details about new and returning characters, and the timing of a major reveal—such as the return of a fan favorite like Tiny Tina—would likely be determined by the publisher rather than any contracted voice actor.
