Brian W. Foster: Law-Breaking Actions Examined

In October 2023, Brian W. Foster, the former host of the popular web series Critical Role, was sued by seven women, including his ex-fiancée, The Last of Us voice actress Ashley Johnson. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleged physical and emotional abuse, sexual battery and assault, stalking, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Johnson claimed that Foster exhibited signs of mental instability and that his behaviour was fuelled by chronic drug and alcohol abuse. She also stated that she feared for her life and believed him capable of murder. In addition to Johnson, the plaintiffs included Haylie Langseth, Johnson's sister, and two anonymous employees of Critical Role Productions.

Foster denied the claims, stating that he had been sober for two-and-a-half years and that most of the profanities he was alleged to have yelled never happened. He also alleged that Johnson's request for a restraining order was brought without merit and was frivolous. However, in May 2023, Johnson was granted an emergency domestic violence restraining order against Foster, and he was removed from their shared home.

Extortion

The case against Foster gained significant attention due to his involvement in the popular web series "Critical Role" and its associated productions. Foster was the main host of "Talks Machina", a weekly talk show that discussed and analysed the events of "Critical Role", until his departure in August 2021. The allegations against Foster surfaced in 2023, when Johnson filed a restraining order against him, citing a history of verbal abuse, drug use, threats, and sexual assaults. In her filing, Johnson expressed fear for her safety and that of her family, stating that Foster exhibited signs of mental instability and that she believed him capable of murder.

The restraining order was initially granted, but it was later dismissed by a Los Angeles Court, which deemed Johnson's request to be without merit and frivolous. Despite this setback, Johnson and the six other women, including two anonymous employees of Critical Role, proceeded with a civil lawsuit against Foster. The lawsuit alleged a pattern of physically and emotionally abusive behaviour by Foster, including consistent acts of physical intimidation, throwing objects, and screaming obscenities.

Foster denied the allegations, claiming that most of the profanities he was accused of yelling never happened and asserting that he had been sober for two-and-a-half years. However, the plaintiffs sought unspecified damages and an injunction requiring Foster to stay away from Johnson, her sister, and their mother. As of early 2025, the case has yet to go to trial, with recent developments suggesting that a settlement may be reached outside of court.

Emotional and Verbal Abuse

In addition to Johnson's claims, six other women, including Johnson's sister and two other employees of Critical Role Productions, joined a civil lawsuit filed in October 2023. The lawsuit alleged that Foster subjected them to physical and sexual violence, as well as mental and emotional abuse. It described Foster as having a "disturbing pattern and practice of chilling and depraved behaviour towards women", including harassment, groping, and intimidation.

Foster, who was the host and producer of "Talks Machina", a weekly talk show associated with the popular web series "Critical Role", denied the allegations and claimed to have been sober for two-and-a-half years. However, his abrupt departure from the show in 2021, along with the removal of content featuring him, raised suspicions among fans.

The impact of emotional and verbal abuse can be profound and long-lasting. It can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Victims may struggle with trust and healthy relationships, and the abuse can affect their ability to cope with stress and regulate their emotions. It's important to recognise that emotional and verbal abuse is just as harmful as physical abuse and should not be tolerated or minimised.

In the case of Brian W. Foster, the allegations had serious consequences. While he denied the claims, the public nature of the accusations and the involvement of multiple women led to a significant stain on his reputation. Foster lost his job, and it is unlikely that he will be able to rebuild his career in the entertainment industry, particularly in the RPG and D&D community. The court of public opinion can be swift and harsh, and in this case, it has judged Foster harshly.

Drug Use

Brian W. Foster's ex-fiancée, Ashley Johnson, and six other women filed a lawsuit against him in October 2023, citing a history of drug abuse and related abusive behaviour. Johnson, a voice actor known for her role in The Last of Us, claimed that Foster exhibited signs of mental instability and that his "unhinged mind" was a result of his "addictive use of narcotics".

Johnson's initial restraining order against Foster, which was dismissed by a judge, stated that Foster's "drug use" was one of the reasons she and her family members had endured abuse and "many acts of terror" by Foster. The lawsuit also alleged that Foster had, on multiple occasions, made "wildly inappropriate and unwanted sexual comments" while "fueled by drugs and alcohol".

Foster, in an August 2023 court filing, claimed that he had been sober for two-and-a-half years. However, Johnson's sister, Haylie Langseth, who is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit, and two anonymous Critical Role employees, alleged that Foster had groped them and made inappropriate sexual comments while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Foster's drug use is a central theme in the allegations against him, with the lawsuit claiming that he had demonstrated a "disturbing pattern and practice of chilling and depraved behaviour towards women" while being "fuelled by chronic abuse of drugs and alcohol".

Sexual Assault

In October 2023, Brian W. Foster was sued by seven women, including his ex-fiancée, The Last of Us voice actress Ashley Johnson, and two other employees of Critical Role, for sexual battery and assault. Johnson's sister, Haylie Langseth, was also one of the plaintiffs. The lawsuit, filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, alleged that Foster had a history of physically and emotionally abusive behaviour, including "consistent acts of physical intimidation including but not limited to punching through glass, throwing objects and screaming obscenities".

The lawsuit also claimed that Foster had harassed and groped other women, including Critical Role employees. One plaintiff alleged that Foster groped her during a live event in 2020, while another claimed that he "forcibly attempted to stick his hands down her pants" while sitting in the audience of another event in 2019. A third Critical Role employee asserted that Foster demanded explicit photos of her and groped her during a coffee run in 2019, and tried to grope her again in 2021.

In May 2023, Johnson had filed for an emergency domestic violence restraining order against Foster, claiming that he tried to extort $150,000 from her and that he was emotionally and verbally abusive. She also alleged that he exhibited signs of mental instability and that she believed him capable of murder. Johnson further claimed that Foster was frequently in an altered state of mind due to his use of narcotics.

In August 2023, Foster denied the claims in a court filing, stating that "most of the profanities I am alleged to have yelled at Ashley never happened" and that he had been sober for two-and-a-half years.

Stalking

Specifically, Johnson claimed that Foster tried to extort $150,000 from her and exhibited signs of mental instability and drug use. She also stated that she feared for her life and believed Foster was capable of murder. Johnson further alleged that Foster made "wildly inappropriate and unwanted sexual comments" to her sister while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The lawsuit included statements from two anonymous Critical Role employees, who also accused Foster of groping and sexual harassment. One employee claimed that Foster groped her during a coffee run in 2019 and later attempted to grope her again in 2021. Another plaintiff alleged that Foster groped her and forcibly tried to put his hands down her pants during an event in Austin in November 2019.

Foster denied the claims made against him and alleged that "most of the profanities I am alleged to have yelled at Ashley never happened". He also asserted that he had been sober for two-and-a-half years. However, the plaintiffs sought compensatory and punitive damages and an injunction requiring Foster to stay away from Johnson, her sister, and their mother.

The case has not yet gone to trial as of early 2025, and it is unclear if it will proceed to court or be settled outside of court. While the details remain speculative, the allegations against Foster have had significant repercussions. Critical Role Productions removed almost all content featuring him in July 2023, and he is no longer associated with the company.

Frequently asked questions