The beloved audiobook narrator will voice Princess Donut in Peacock’s adaptation of Matt Dinniman’s bestselling LitRPG phenomenon.
Peacock has found the perfect voice for one of the most beloved characters in Dungeon Crawler Carl.
Jeff Hays, whose acclaimed performances helped turn Matt Dinniman’s LitRPG novels into one of Audible’s biggest success stories, is officially joining Peacock’s live-action adaptation as the voice of Princess Donut. The announcement was made during San Diego Comic-Con, where Hays surprised fans during a panel alongside series writer and executive producer Chris Yost and author Matt Dinniman.
For longtime fans of the audiobook series, the casting feels like the only choice. Hays’ energetic, emotional, and wildly entertaining performances have become inseparable from the franchise, especially his unforgettable portrayal of Princess Donut.
Jeff Hays Brings Princess Donut to Life Once Again
The surprise announcement came before a packed Comic-Con audience, with Hays joining Chris Yost and Matt Dinniman to celebrate the expanding world of Dungeon Crawler Carl.
His return ensures that Princess Donut’s unmistakable personality, charm, sarcasm, and larger-than-life attitude will carry over from the audiobooks into the live-action adaptation.
Hays has become one of the defining voices in modern audiobook storytelling. His performances throughout the Dungeon Crawler Carl series have earned widespread praise for seamlessly switching between dozens of distinct characters while delivering cinematic levels of emotion and comedy.
Speaking during Audible’s official Dungeon Crawler Carl panel later in the weekend, Hays explained his philosophy behind bringing the characters to life. “It’s my job to bring the characters to life. It’s my job to make you forget that you’re listening to the audio and make you think that you’re actually there with the characters.”
Meanwhile, Dinniman joked about pushing Hays to his limits during production. “I’m always testing Jeff’s limits… it’s great for me.”
Dungeon Crawler Carl Continues Its Incredible Rise
What began as a LitRPG novel has evolved into one of publishing’s biggest success stories. Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl has sold more than 14 million copies across all formats worldwide while consistently appearing on bestseller lists.
The audiobook adaptation has become an even bigger phenomenon. Narrated and produced by Jeff Hays, the series has surpassed 140 million listening hours on Audible.
Its popularity helped make Dungeon Crawler Carl the first full series to sweep The New York Times Audio Fiction bestseller list within a single month, thanks in large part to Hays’ celebrated narration.
The live-action adaptation is being developed by Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door and Universal Global Television for Peacock, bringing one of fantasy’s fastest-growing franchises to television.
What Is Dungeon Crawler Carl About?
The series imagines an Earth devastated by an alien invasion that transforms humanity’s survival into a deadly intergalactic reality show.
Former Coast Guard veteran Carl suddenly finds himself competing in a massive dungeon alongside his ex-girlfriend’s award-winning show cat, Princess Donut the Queen Anne Chonk. Together they battle monsters, aliens, deadly A.I., and fellow survivors while millions across the galaxy watch for entertainment.
The official synopsis teases: “Survival is optional. Entertainment is not.”
The combination of dark comedy, action, fantasy, RPG mechanics, and emotional character relationships has helped the franchise build one of the most passionate fan communities in modern speculative fiction.
Audible Celebrates Dungeon Crawler Carl at SDCC
Following the casting announcement, Matt Dinniman and Jeff Hays reunited during Audible’s official Dungeon Crawler Carl panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
The pair shared behind-the-scenes stories about creating the series before Hays treated fans to a live reading from the next installment, earning enthusiastic applause from the packed audience.
Audible also transformed San Diego’s Gaslamp District into a celebration of the franchise with its “Level Up Lounge” activation, featuring immersive experiences inspired by Dungeon Crawler Carl and Bobiverse.
Fans were also greeted by a Princess Donut-themed food truck serving complimentary donut holes along with additional themed experiences throughout Comic-Con.
A Fan-Favorite Casting Choice
Bringing Jeff Hays back as Princess Donut is likely to be one of the easiest casting decisions for longtime fans to embrace.
His performance helped define the character long before cameras began rolling on the live-action adaptation, and keeping that iconic voice intact gives Peacock’s series an immediate connection to the millions of listeners who discovered Dungeon Crawler Carl through Audible.
As anticipation continues to build for the television adaptation, Hays’ involvement signals that the creative team understands just how important Princess Donut—and her unmistakable voice—are to the franchise’s identity.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
