A Dungeon Master’s Top Five Actual Play Podcasts.
By Arthur Foster on February 27, 2026
You may be asking yourself, what is an actual play podcast? Well my uninitiated friend an actual play podcast is a series of recorded sessions of a tabletop campaign, run in either Dungeons and Dragons or in a multitude of other role playing games. One person plays the Dungeon Master, who is responsible for crafting the world that the game takes place in, creates scenarios for the players and usually acts as the host of the show. Actual plays vary when it comes to player count, some have parties of two or three players while others boast a cast of six player characters, who are the protagonists of the story. As a longtime Dungeon Master and D&D enthusiast it is my sacred duty to spread the good word and induct as many people into the hobby as possible, so I have collected my personal favourite actual plays to send you off to begin your tabletop journey.
Number 5: Just Roll With It
A great introduction to the actual play genre for newcomers and casual rpg players, Just Roll With It is a YouTube channel that has produced several campaigns and one-shot adventures. While their other series are certainly worth tuning in to, Just Roll With It is best know for their longest running series Riptide. Riptide, which is still seeing the release of new episodes, is a seafaring grand adventure filled with pirates, monsters and mysteries that are far deeper than they seem at first. While the story of Riptide is fun and has a satisfying evolution throughout the over 100 episodes of the series, the real appeal of JRWI is the cast. You may recognize the DM Grizzly and the players Slimecicle, Bizly and Condifiction from their popular YouTube channels, and if you are a pre-existing fan, the show is definitely worth a listen. If you don’t mind the growing pains of the earlier episodes, Riptide is a gem in the rough.
Number 4: Legends of Avantris
Legends of Avantris is another group that has made several memorable campaigns. Their most popular series, Once Upon a Witchlight is also run in Dungeons and Dragons fifth edition, like Riptide prior in the list. The series follows characters drowning in debt after their failed carnival ruined their lives. The series leans heavily into it’s comedic tone and is sure to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in the weird and wonderful. Their journey leads them deeper and deeper into the realm of Prismeer, a land under the domain of the Feywild. The series saw a massive surge in attention after clips of the show kept going viral on platforms like TikTok.
Number Three: Critical Role
Whaaat? Critical Role is only third? Listen, I get it, Critical Role is a great show! However I do feel that it is also the single most overhyped actual play on the market. Saying that will make my top choice somewhat ironic, but I stand by my ranking and I will die on this hill. Critical Role is the largest and most popular actual play by a long shot. They’ve become so popular as a matter of fact that their campaigns have inspired TWO animated series on Amazon. The Dungeon Master of Critical Role, Matt Mercer and the large rotating cast of players have fundamentally changed peoples understanding of both actual plays as media and tabletop roleplaying as a hobby. If you want to jump into a series with a large fandom and long history with enough content to keep you busy for years, Critical Role is a great choice for you. Just skip Campaign One.
Number Two: Not Another D&D Podcast
Not Another D&D Podcast, better known as NADDPOD is, to me, one of the best actual plays out there. Similarly to others on this list, the story may start a little slow, but that’s an advantage for NADDPOD. The show hooks you with characters that are very easy to root for and that will keep you invested, no matter the arc or location. Players Emily Axford, Caldwell Tanner and Jake Hurwitz are always entertaining to listen to and pull you in with the unexpected depth of their characters. Dungeon Master Brian Murphy is one of my favourites to ever do it and is a master of running combats that are not only seemingly fun for the players but are actually enjoyable to listen to. Since the start of the series in 2018, NADDPOD has seen several campaigns with countless guest players and gripping stories.
Number One: Dimension 20
Dimension 20, simply put, is THE best actual play that currently exists. The impeccable performances and character development from the core cast of Intrepid Heroes, outstanding set design and elite world building puts Dimension 20 in a whole other category of show to me. The series is by far the most watchable and accessible to non-D&D fans as each campaign wastes no time in grabbing your attention and running with it, inviting you to ignore the rules and litigation of Dungeons and Dragons in the favour of getting invested in cinema-worthy storytelling. Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan and players Siobhan Thompson, Lou Wilson, Ally Beardsley, Zac Oyama, Emily Axford and Brian Murphy have become the faces of the medium. If you doubt their popularity, just look at how they sold out Madison Square Garden for a live performance of a one-shot adventure featuring their most iconic characters. From the John Hughes inspired academy for adventurers in Fantasy High to the Urban Fantasy of The Unsleeping City to the sickly sweet political intrigue of A Crown of Candy, there is a campaign for anyone to enjoy.