Netflix released The Dragon Prince on September 14, 2018, and Paula Burrows voices one of the main characters in it. Created by Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond, the animated fantasy series quickly gained attention for its rich world-building and well-developed characters which is set in the magical land of Xadia.
The story revolves around the conflict between humans and magical creatures after humans turned to dark magic leading to centuries of division. The plot begins with the murder of Avizandum, the King of Dragons, and the theft of his egg, believed to be destroyed and it sparks a dangerous mission to restore peace.
The show follows Callum, the stepson of King Harrow and the first human to wield primal magic, his younger half-brother Ezran, who can communicate with animals, and Rayla, a Moonshadow Elf assassin.
Rayla, voiced by Paula Burrows, starts as an enemy but later teams up with the human princes to protect the dragon egg and return it to its mother. Along the way, they face dark mages, political struggles, and personal challenges that test their trust and beliefs.
Everything you need to know about Rayla, the character voiced by Paula Burrows
Rayla, voiced by Paula Burrows, is one of the central characters in The Dragon Prince. Introduced as a skilled Moonshadow Elf assassin, Rayla’s character quickly evolves into a symbol of loyalty, redemption, and courage. Raised by her foster fathers, Runaan and Ethari, Rayla is trained from a young age to follow in their footsteps as a protector of her people.
However, her journey takes an unexpected turn when she questions the cycle of violence between humans and elves, ultimately choosing a path of unity rather than vengeance.
At the start of the series, Rayla is sent on a mission to assassinate King Harrow and Prince Ezran to avenge the death of the dragon king, Avizandum. Despite her training and lethal skills, Rayla struggles with the idea of taking innocent lives, revealing her deeply moral nature.
Her hesitation leads to a pivotal moment when she abandons her mission after discovering the Dragon Prince’s egg is still intact, challenging her beliefs about duty and revenge. From this point on, Rayla commits herself to protecting the egg and its eventual hatchling, Azymondias, forming an unlikely alliance with the human princes, Callum and Ezran.
Rayla’s relationship with Callum becomes one of the show’s emotional anchors. Their bond begins as a partnership of necessity but gradually deepens into a romantic connection as they face challenges together.
Callum’s faith in Rayla helps her confront her insecurities, especially her guilt over her parents’ apparent failure to protect the Dragon Prince’s egg. This internal conflict is a recurring theme in her arc, as Rayla battles feelings of abandonment and shame while striving to prove her worth.
One of Rayla’s defining traits is her determination. She faces physical and emotional hardships, from nearly losing her hand due to a magical assassin’s binding to overcoming her crippling fear of water caused by a traumatic childhood event. Despite these struggles, Rayla continues to push forward, driven by her sense of responsibility and love for those she cares about.
About Paula Burrows
Paula Burrows is a Scottish-born actress best known for voicing Rayla in Netflix's animated series The Dragon Prince. Born in Greenock, Scotland, she later relocated to Canada to pursue acting and she gained recognition for her versatile performances, particularly in voice acting.
Apart from The Dragon Prince, she has appeared in shows like The Dangers of Online Dating and Unspeakable. Her voicework as Rayla earned praise for the character’s humor, determination, and emotional depth.
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Paula Burrows plays Rayla in The Dragon Prince and all the episodes are available on Netflix.
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