2023 TV and Streaming Shows Anticipated New Series Actual Play Fall Guide

Actual play is entering a bold new phase, where shows like Worlds Beyond Number weave storytelling, comedy, and raw character work into sprawling multiverse adventures that blur the line between game and drama.

In 2022, actual play role-playing performers made some big moves. Things kicked off with the return of HyperRPG’s experimental Kollok. Critical Role and Dimension 20 explored entirely new genres, complemented by the award-winning coziness of Jeff Stormer and Possum Creek Games’ miniseries of Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast. Meanwhile, Justin McElroy’s pivot to Blades in the Dark breathed new life into The Adventure Zone’s latest campaign, Steeplechase.

In the first month of 2023, we find that actual play has grown to become an even bigger part of the wider tabletop scene. But the landscape is changing fast. The next iteration of Dungeons & Dragons, dubbed One DnD, is raising more questions than it answers – especially as a possible new Open Gaming License looms. At the same time, publishers like Chaosium, Paradox Interactive, Paizo, Hunters Entertainment, and Free League are courting audiences to their systems through sponsored shows.

What’s on the horizon? Hard to say, honestly. Most announcements stay under wraps until just weeks before they air. Here’s what is currently on our radar this year.

Worlds Beyond Number

Worlds Beyond Number launches with a multiverse-spanning campaign led by Brennan Lee Mulligan, Aabria Iyengar, and Lou Wilson. Players shift roles across linked stories in a fresh fantasy setting, blending high-stakes drama with sharp humor. The series stands out for its bold structure, where each arc builds on the last through player-driven choices and narrative twists. Fans praise the seamless voice acting and immersive sound design that pull listeners into parallel worlds. Released in late 2023, it quickly gained traction among actual play enthusiasts.

Announced New Year’s Day at the stroke of midnight Eastern time after a viral teaser campaign, Worlds Beyond Number is an artist-owned collaboration between Brennan Lee Mulligan, Aabria Iyengar, Erika Ishii, Lou Wilson, and Taylor Moore. The team includes well-respected veterans of video actual play known for pushing the structures of the form combined with the production talents of Moore, well known for creating sonically interesting podcasts. If you’ve longed to see the omnipresent Iyengar and Ishii seizing the means of production, this is a gift.

The team promises that the multiverse will also include multiple systems, settings, and worlds. The first campaign, The Wizard, the Witch, and the Wild One, will be led by DM Mulligan and is billed as feeling like “the perfect home game of D&D” – a sprawling world to play in. A Patreon will launch Feb. 1 with sneak peeks of the campaign as well as scenes from their Session 0 campaign, the Children’s Adventure. The full 12-hour Children’s Adventure will be Patreon-exclusive and drop alongside the first episode available to the public on March 1. Keep an eye on their site and Twitter for more information.

Glass Cannon Labs

Glass Cannon Labs continues to push tabletop storytelling forward with its sharp humor, strong production values, and fearless commitment to character-driven chaos. Known for series that balance serious narrative stakes with constant laughter, this team brings together expert improv, quick wit, and clever world-building. Their upcoming projects promise bold concepts and unpredictable twists that make each session feel both cinematic and delightfully unpredictable.

As major names in video actual play experiment with podcasts, Glass Cannon, best known for its extensive range of podcasts, launches Glass Cannon Labs exclusively on Twitch this year. The project promises “raw, unpolished looks at various groups learning and playing new games together.” The show intends to minimize production costs to showcase games that otherwise couldn’t be played – a striking move as other actual play series move toward heavily edited content.

The series starts with three Free League games: Mörk Borg spinoff Cy_Borg, gritty fantasy Symbaroum, and the new Blade Runner RPG. The show airs on their Twitch channel Thursdays at 2 p.m. EST.

The Walking Dead

Set in a gritty, post-apocalyptic world, The Walking Dead actual play series draws players into a tense survival story defined by shifting loyalties and moral choices. Every session captures the desperation of human connection under constant threat, balancing horror, strategy, and emotional depth. With strong performances and tight storytelling, it transforms familiar zombie fiction into something raw and unpredictable, keeping audiences guessing about who will endure another day.

In addition to Glass Cannon, Free League is also partnering with AMC Digital Studios to produce a tie-in for The Walking Dead Universe Roleplaying Game. The limited series promises “original events pulled from the series’ writers’ room” developed with former showrunner Scott M. Gimple, and teases possible actor cameos while following new characters who intersect with events in new ways. Keep an eye on Twitter for information as it develops.

New York by Night Season 3

The third season of New York by Night pushes its gothic intrigue further, following rival factions as they scheme through the city’s neon shadows. The storytellers build on familiar characters while introducing new alliances and betrayals that challenge both mortal and vampire loyalties. With strong performances and sharp production, the show captures the tension between power, secrecy, and survival in a setting where every choice has lasting consequences.

Two coteries – one Anarch, one Camarilla – will square up for battle when New York by Night returns for its third season. Departing from LA by Night‘s focus on just one side of the conflict between the the status quo and revolution, Jason Carl has chosen to spotlight two sides in successive seasons, while putting them on a collision course. It’s unclear who will be on whose team this time around – or who to root for among these glorious monsters. New episodes will air on the World of Darkness Twitch channel, and keep an eye on Twitter for the latest news on the air date.

Rivals of Waterdeep

Set in the bustling city of Waterdeep, this campaign brings together a group of schemers, heroes, and reluctant allies vying for control of hidden power. Mixing intrigue with chaotic humor, Rivals of Waterdeep balances high-stakes storytelling with character-driven banter. Each session feels like a mix of sharp improvisation and heartfelt connection, making it a standout for fans who enjoy both comedy and strategy in their actual play series.

Meanwhile, D&D programming continues to proliferate – even as Wizards of the Coast increasingly pulls back from direct production. One of the longest-running campaigns in actual play, the all-BIPOC troupe Rivals of Waterdeep returns Feb. 5 for the beginning of the end. The show’s innovative sharing of the DM’s seat and evolving cast has been an incubator for some of the most groundbreaking creators in tabletop. While it’s uncertain what the future holds for the Rivals, it’s well worth tuning in to see them stick the landing. Details to follow on Twitter.

DesiQuest

DesiQuest blends South Asian mythology with high-energy tabletop storytelling, bringing together a talented cast led by Jasmine Bhullar. Set in a universe inspired by fantasy traditions and cultural heritage, the series expands actual play by showcasing representation rarely seen in the genre. With vivid characters, emotional depth, and a cinematic approach to narration, DesiQuest promises an adventure rich in heart, humor, and imagination.

This summer, acclaimed DM Jasmine Bhullar (Shikar, Battle for Beyond, Dimension 20’s Coffin Run) will lead DesiQuest, a seven-episode all-Desi D&D actual play drawing deeply from the lore of the Indian subcontinent and fueled by a successful Kickstarter. While Bhullar alone is a major draw, the rest of the cast is equally stellar, including Sandeep Parikh (The Guild), Rekha Shankar (Dimension 20’s The Seven), Anjali Bhimani (Ms. Marvel, Overwatch, Exandria Unlimited), and Omar Najam (Dimension 20’s A Court of Fey and Flowers).

Acquisitions Incorporated

Acquisitions Incorporated continues to blend comedic improv with classic tabletop storytelling, creating an experience that feels part corporate satire, part fantasy adventure. The series brings back familiar characters running their “franchise” of adventurers while introducing new recruits and fresh chaos. Its mix of scripted plots and spontaneous humor makes every session unpredictable, proving that the spirit of tabletop roleplay thrives best with sharp wit and total creative freedom.

Acquisitions Incorporated, which has experimented with every form of actual play on seemingly every possible platform, is set to transform once again with an upcoming “Series II” Kickstarter. Beyond the return of Mike Krahulik’s Jim Darkmagic, cast and setting have not been announced, but the teaser trailer included the AD&D 2nd edition title Mind Lords of the Last Sea, a book from the postapocalyptic, low-magic survivalist Dark Sun – a setting that hasn’t been heard from since 4th edition.

Where to listen to Worlds Beyond Number episodes

Worlds Beyond Number episodes are widely available across major podcast platforms for easy streaming or downloading. You can access them on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, iHeartRadio, and YouTube, as well as their official Simplecast site.

Streaming Platforms

Listen directly via these popular apps:

Additional Access

Castbox offers offline downloads after subscribing in-app. For bonus content like behind-the-scenes or prologues, join their Patreon at patreon.com/worldsbeyondnumber, which links to Spotify for extras. The official site worlds beyondnumber.com also streams episodes.

How many episodes of Worlds Beyond Number are there

Worlds Beyond Number has released around 79 episodes as of late 2025 across its main feed, primarily from the ongoing Wizard, the Witch, and the Wild One (WWW) campaign. This includes 34 core WWW story episodes through Chapter 3 (as of mid-2024), plus preludes, fireside chats, interludes, and side content like A County Affair.

Episode Breakdown

The series mixes main storyline with bonuses:

Patreon Exclusives

Patreon ($5/month) adds 8+ Children’s Adventure preludes and extra oneshots not in the main count, pushing full access past 90 episodes. The WWW campaign aims for 100+ total before rotating GMs. Check platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify for the latest count, as it continues biweekly with chapter breaks.