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In a September 2024 report by ScreenRant, Michael Ironside cited his age as the reason for not voicing Sam Fisher anymore in the animated show Splinter Cell: Deathwatch. He also said that his age has made the physical demands and voice expectations of the role no longer manageable. Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is going to be a long-term show and would need a new sound for Sam Fisher.
Showrunner Derek Kolstad has stated that, while he admires Ironside’s work, the team sought a fresh voice that could carry the adaptation across multiple seasons. In September 2025, Kolstad told IGN:
"I loved him, but ultimately it was like, 'If we're going to be doing this for a while, they just wanted a new sound. And when they were going through the various voices, any number of people were up for the role."
Read on to know more.
Why Michael Ironside is not voicing Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell: Deathwatch?
As mentioned, the makers and producers think that a new voice would be better and more accommodating for the needs of evolving characters and tonal shifts over time, keeping in mind Michael Ironside's age. Michael turned 75 in February 2025, and he also thinks that the challenges of the role might not be manageable for him going forward.
In an August 2024 interview with The Nerd Shepherd, he said:
"There’s no way I should be playing Sam Fisher."
The series is far from its end, with possibilities of spin-offs. Splinter Cell: Deathwatch portrays Fisher in his later phase of life, and the makers are hence looking for someone with a slightly heavy pitch. Therefore, the reasons behind Ironside's exit are multilayered and justified logistically and creatively as well.
If not Sam Fisher, fans were also eager to know if he could be part of the show, voicing some other role he is more suitable for. The actor responded to this, acknowledging how he could not do that, as people will easily recognize his voice.
"I can’t be a part of the series because if I open my mouth, they’ll know it’s Sam."
Some reports claim that Netflix also offered him another role, but Ironside rejected the idea because of the above-mentioned reason, in addition to his age and health. This suggests that the actor is unwilling to be in any role to avoid confusion in the show.
Who is replacing Michael Ironside in Splinter Cell: Deathwatch?
Reports confirm that Liev Schreiber appeared as a deliberate fit for the role. He was chosen for bringing certain gravitas, subtlety, and emotional nuance that the makers thought matched the new version of Fisher. Schreiber has also portrayed another Tom Clancy character, defining his connection to the broader Clancy world.
Many fans are sad about the actor's exit as Ironside's voice was deeply associated with Fisher in their minds. Therefore, any recast could lead to backlash if the standards aren't matched. This puts a great responsibility on Liev Schreiber, while Kolstad believes in him on the basis of his performance.
The recast is positioned not as a rejection of Ironside but as a move to help Splinter Cell: Deathwatch stand on its own with a voice that can sustain a long-running animated series and match a somewhat different version of the character.
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Season 1 of Splinter Cell: Deathwatch dropped on October 14, 2025.
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