Critical Role has built an entertainment empire by bringing TTRPG (tabletop role-playing game) style storytelling to the masses, first via their web series and now also by adapting those campaigns into animated series on Prime Video — The Legend of Vox Machina and The Mighty Nein. Over the years, they’ve amassed a staggeringly impressive following and also continue to tell unparalleled fantasy stories via new campaigns, the latest of which kicked off in October 2025.

Not only are the members of Critical Role icons in the D&D space, but they’re also wildly talented and accomplished actors. That combination could make them ideal casting for Peacock’s upcoming Dungeon Crawler Carl series.

Collider Ladies Night recently celebrated its first-ever full live show at the Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles with Critical Role’s Laura Bailey, Marisha Ray and Ashley Johnson. During a round of Dicey Questions, the group rolled our fan casting question, and were challenged to cast each other in the film or show of their choice. Bailey immediately zeroed in on the highly anticipated Dungeon Crawler Carl show.

What Is ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl?’

An ambitious adaptation that could be a major hit for Peacock.

Image via Renegade Game Studios / Luciano Fleitas

Dungeon Crawler Carl is a literary role-playing game series from author Matt Dinniman. At the start of book one, an alien invasion almost entirely annihilates life on earth. Survivors are forced to enter the World Dungeon, an 18-level space constructed using Earth’s resources that serves as a game show arena. Carl and other “crawlers,” including his ex-girlfriend’s cat Donut, must navigate each level while learning from NPCs, selecting their character race and class, collecting supplies, and fighting bosses. If they don’t make their way to the next level in the allotted time, the level they’re on collapses, killing all crawlers who remain.

The first book was a hit and paved the way for Dinniman to publish eight novels total by May 2026. In 2024, it was announced that Universal International Studios and Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door emerged victorious in a “highly competitive situation” and scooped up the rights to turn Dungeon Crawler Carl into a TV series. Just a few weeks ago, Peacock gave the project a straight-to-series order, so that means MacFarlane and co. might be casting up in the near future.

Laura Bailey Wants to See Marisha Ray in ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’

And has a role she wants to play herself.

Given Bailey is busy reading Dungeon Crawler Carl right now, it didn’t take long for the perfect answer to come to mind for our fan-casting Dicey Question.

“I’ve been reading a lot of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and I just saw that the rights got picked up, and it’s already green lit, and I’m freaking out about it. But listen, I’ve been reading the series, and I got to the role of Samantha, and I think Marisha would be amazing.”

Why that role in particular for Ray? Bailey explained that the idea came to mind courtesy of something Ray did on the video podcast series Weird Kids. She explained, “You did this little thing, like a spoof on Critical Role, and it was just your head on this little body, and you had a high ponytail.”

Given how specific and unusual that visual is, you might be wondering, why would that bring Dungeon Crawler Carl to mind? First, Dungeon Crawler Carl is a swing-for-the-fences type of story. After all, Carl’s ex-girlfriend’s cat, Donut, becomes sapient courtesy of an enchanted pet biscuit.

With that in mind, it might not come as much of a surprise to learn that Samantha is actually a sex doll. Bailey noted, “I’m not going to spoil anything — she’s a sex doll. But also, hilarious and psycho.” When Ray laughed and said, “You should just stop while you’re ahead,” Bailey added, “She’s great! She’s, like, one of my favorite characters. She’s just a head. Okay, I’m stopping.”

Ray jumped in and joked, “I’ll do anything. Look, Hollywood, I’ll do anything,” and then added, “This has actually been the best pitch for me to read Dungeon Crawler Carl. Now I’m like, ‘Well, that sounds pretty good.’”

Image via Ace Books

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Bailey’s pitch certainly had that effect on me. Immediately after our live event, I started listening to the first book in the series. While I’ve yet to reach Samantha’s part of the story, I have spent a good deal of time with Princess Donut. During the conversation about the adaptation, Bailey also added, “I want to be Donut in Dungeon Crawler Carl so bad,” and now I know, sincerely, that casting would be brilliant. Bailey’s a voice acting pro and would, no doubt, soar while taking it to the extreme Donut-style.

But the same is also true of any member of Critical Role. They’ve all got extensive acting resumes, but even if you only hear their work in The Legend of Vox Machina, which just wrapped up its fourth season on Prime Video, it’ll be abundantly clear that they’ve all got maximum range as performers and endless creative potential as artists. There’s already a good deal of hype for this Dungeon Crawler Carl series, but what would up that buzz more than adding members of Critical Role to the ensemble of a D&D-inspired book-turned-TV show?

Eager to hear even more from Bailey, Ray and Johnson? You can watch the full Collider Ladies Night Live recording in the video at the top of this article!

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Release Date

January 27, 2022

Network

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Prime Video

Showrunner

Brandon Auman

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Directors

Young Heller, Eugene Lee, Alicia Chan

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Writers

Eugene Son, Travis Willingham, Chris Wyatt, Kevin Burke, Suzanne Keilly, Mae Catt, Todd Casey, Ashly Burch, May Chan, Marc Bernardin

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Following one of the strongest debut seasons in Marvel Animation history, X-Men ’97 faced enormous expectations entering Season 2. Fortunately, the first three episodes prove the series hasn’t lost any momentum, delivering another thrilling blend of superhero action, emotional storytelling, and deep comic book lore.

Rather than easing viewers back into the world of the X-Men, Season 2 immediately picks up after the explosive finale of Season 1. With the team scattered across three different time periods, the opening episodes follow multiple storylines simultaneously while laying the groundwork for Apocalypse‘s rise.

It’s an ambitious approach, but one that largely succeeds.

Episode 1 centers on Cyclops, Jean Grey, and the future timeline, adapting elements from The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix. Their reunion with Nathan, better known as Cable, provides some of the strongest emotional moments of the season so far. The episode reminds viewers that beneath all of the time travel and mutant battles, X-Men ’97 continues to thrive because of its characters.

X-Men 97′ Season 2 [credit: Marvel Animation]

Episode 2 shifts gears with a fun, action-packed adventure featuring Cable, Jubilee, Sunspot, and the formation of a new X-Force. While the episode embraces the over-the-top style of the classic ’90s comics, it also explores the moral differences between Cable’s hardened worldview and Jubilee’s optimism. Their dynamic creates one of the season’s most entertaining character pairings.

The third episode may be the strongest of the bunch, taking audiences thousands of years into the past as Magnetoencounters a young En Sabah Nur, the mutant destined to become Apocalypse. Rather than presenting the iconic villain as a one-dimensional conqueror, the episode explores his origins in a surprisingly thoughtful way. The conversations between Magneto and En Sabah Nur are among the most compelling scenes in the series, adding emotional complexity to a character fans thought they already knew.

Visually, X-Men ’97 remains one of Marvel’s most impressive productions. The animation captures the spirit of the original 1990s series while elevating every action sequence with fluid movement, vibrant colors, and cinematic direction. Whether it’s mutant powers colliding on the battlefield or quieter emotional moments between teammates, every frame feels carefully crafted.

The voice cast also continues to shine, bringing authenticity and heart to these beloved characters. Even with multiple storylines unfolding simultaneously, each episode finds time for meaningful character moments that remind viewers why the X-Men have endured for generations.

The biggest criticism of these opening episodes is pacing. Episode 1 in particular moves through a significant amount of story in a short amount of time, and several of the timelines could have benefited from an extra episode to further develop their characters and emotional beats. It’s less a flaw in storytelling than a reminder that there’s simply so much happening at once.

X-Men 97′ Season 2 [credit: Marvel Animation]

Even so, those concerns do little to diminish what has been an outstanding start to Season 2. Marvel Animation has once again found the perfect balance between nostalgia and fresh storytelling, honoring classic comic arcs while keeping longtime fans guessing about what’s coming next.

Three episodes in, X-Men ’97 is already shaping up to be one of the year’s best animated series. If the remaining episodes maintain this level of quality, Season 2 has every chance of surpassing its already exceptional predecessor.

Verdict

X-Men ’97 wastes no time reminding fans why it became one of Marvel’s biggest success stories. While the opening episodes occasionally move too quickly through their ambitious storylines, the outstanding animation, emotional character work, and faithful adaptation of beloved comic arcs make for an exceptional return. After three episodes, Season 2 is firing on all cylinders.

You’ve vetted your supplements, scrutinized your skincare, and probably banished most of the seed oils from your kitchen. But the toothpaste you’re using twice a day, every day, has somehow escaped the same scrutiny.

ARU toothpaste is part of a new generation of oral care built for people who actually read the back of the box — shorter formulas, ingredients with a purpose and evidence behind the choices.

Conventional toothpaste tubes carry 15 to 20+ ingredients, many of which exist for foam, color or shelf appeal rather than dental outcomes. The pushback consumers have applied to food, beauty and cookware is finally reaching oral care, and the data behind cleaner formulations is more substantial than the category’s marketing has historically let on.

Making a Case for SLS-Free Toothpaste

Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is the foaming agent in most conventional toothpastes. It’s the reason your brush feels productive. It’s also a detergent originally developed for industrial cleaning, regulated as safe at toothpaste concentrations but well-documented as an irritant to soft tissue and a contributor to canker sores.

A 2019 systematic review in the Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine found that SLS-free toothpaste reduced the number of ulcers, duration of ulcer, number of episodes and ulcer pain.

“Minor changes in a toothpaste can really make a difference in a patient’s quality of life,” Diana Messadi, a professor and the chair of oral medicine, oral pathology and orofacial pain at the UCLA School of Dentistry, told The Washington Post.

If you’ve quietly written off canker sores as bad luck, switching to an SLS-free toothpaste is one of the cheaper experiments you can run.

What’s Actually In Every ARU Toothpaste Formula

The ARU toothpaste line comes in four different formulas. None of them contain SLS. They’re also free from microbeads, dyes, parabens, phthalates, triclosan, fluoride, artificial flavors and animal testing.

They each share eight ingredients in common, all of which serve a specific purpose:

1. Cocamidopropyl betaine, a coconut-derived surfactant that creates gentle foam and lifts away plaque and debris without irritating gum tissue (an SLS alternative).
2. Sorbitol, a natural sugar alcohol that sweetens the formula and keeps it from drying out.
3. Cellulose gum, a plant-derived thickener that keeps the paste smooth, stable, and evenly textured.
4. Silica. a naturally occurring mineral that adds texture and gently scrubs away plaque and surface stains.
5. Natural mint flavors, a blend of eucalyptus, spearmint, and peppermint oils for flavor and fresh breath.
6. Potassium sorbate, a preservative that prevents mold, yeast, and bacterial growth in the tube.
7. Stevia rebaudiana leaf extract, a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that rounds out the flavor without contributing to decay.
8. Aqua (water), the solvent that dissolves and binds the other ingredients into a paste.

Three of the formulas add one more ingredient to the mix, while the fourth adds three. Those ingredients are specifically chosen to either whiten teeth, reduce sensitivity, improve gum health or protect cavities.

Here’s a breakdown:

1. The fluoride-free whitening toothpaste adds sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to polish away surface stains, calcium carbonate as a gentle abrasive for plaque and calcium peroxide to break down deeper stains through slow oxidation.
2. The fluoride-free sensitive toothpaste adds hydroxyapatite, the same mineral that makes up natural tooth enamel, to remineralize teeth and fill in the micro-fissures that cause hot, cold, and sweet sensitivity.
3. The gum health toothpaste adds stannous fluoride, which strengthens enamel while also reducing the bacterial overgrowth and nerve stimulation that lead to bleeding and inflamed gums .
4. The cavity protection toothpaste adds sodium fluoride, the standard cavity-fighting active, which remineralizes enamel and increases its resistance to the acid erosion that causes decay.

Fluoride-Free Toothpaste: What the Evidence Says

The scientific consensus is clear. Fluoride is safe at the concentrations used in commercial toothpaste, and the American Dental Association still recommends fluoride toothpaste for daily use.

“The fluoride will help reduce the demineralization process, which is the first stage of tooth decay,” says Dr. David Okano, a periodontist and assistant professor at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. “Also, if you have the demineralization but not yet a full-blown cavity in the tooth, the fluoride can be taken up into that demineralized area to help it remineralize.”

A growing share of consumers still skip it. The most established concern is dental fluorosis, a cosmetic condition that develops when young children ingest too much fluoride while permanent teeth are still forming, which is why kids toothpaste choices warrant extra scrutiny. Some adults also report sensitivity or irritation from fluoride formulas. Others simply prefer shorter ingredient lists.

ARU’s line covers both lanes, so a fluoride-free toothpaste and a remineralizing toothpaste with hydroxyapatite sit alongside the two fluoride picks.

Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste as a Remineralizing Alternative

The most evidence-supported fluoride alternative is hydroxyapatite, the same mineral that makes up natural tooth enamel. As a remineralizing toothpaste ingredient, it fills the micro-fissures that cause hot, cold, and sweet sensitivity and rebuilds enamel from the surface in.

ARU’s sensitive formula is a hydroxyapatite toothpaste — a credible toothpaste for sensitive teeth that doesn’t rely on fluoride to do the work. If you’ve been looking for a clinical reason to avoid fluoride beyond preference, remineralization via hydroxyapatite is the answer with the most data behind it.

The Honest Worth-It Verdict

Pick by goal. Want whiter teeth, go with whitening. Bleeding gums, gum health. Standard daily protection, cavity protection. Sensitive teeth, the hydroxyapatite formula. All four are available at Walmart and on Walmart.com.

There comes a point every summer when denim shorts start feeling like more trouble than they’re worth. They ride up, feel stiff in the heat and somehow never seem as comfortable as you remember. That’s when a throw-on striped dress becomes the easiest thing in your closet — add sandals, sneakers or flip-flops, and you’re out the door.

Whether you’re drawn to a boutique-worthy blue midi dress, a nautical-inspired knit style or a colorful striped maxi that instantly brightens your wardrobe, there’s something on this list for every summer occasion. Below, shop 17 throw-on Amazon dresses you’ll wear on repeat all season long. Best of all, they start at just $15.

17 Throw-on Striped Dresses You’ll Wear More Than Denim Shorts

1. Our Favorite: A cinched waist gives this long-sleeve midi dress a tailored look without feeling restrictive. Classic black-and-white stripes make it polished enough for dinner but casual enough for errands.

2. Boutique-Worthy: Ruffle cap sleeves and a flattering V-neck make this blue expensive-looking midi look like something you’d stumble across in a charming seaside boutique.

3. Bold Stripes: Bright, colorful stripes instantly bring this T-shirt mini dress to life. The relaxed silhouette keeps the bold pattern feeling fun instead of overwhelming.

4. Selling Fast: At under $20, it’s no surprise shoppers are scooping up this loose mini sundress. Ruffle cap sleeves and a flattering V-neck add just enough shape while keeping the fit breezy.

5. Coastal-Chic: Loose through the body, this button-front shirt dress was practically made for warm, humid days. It also doubles as an easy swimsuit cover-up.

Related: I Scrolled Through Amazon’s Under-$40 Dress Edit — My 17 Favorites

I have a bad habit of opening Amazon for one thing, and somehow ending up with a cart full of dresses. This time, I stumbled across the retailer’s under-$40 dress edit and immediately started shopping for pieces that look far more expensive than their price tags. From breezy maxis to throw-on-and-go shirt dresses, there are […]

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6. Color Crush: Neon-inspired stripes turn this flowy maxi dress into an instant statement piece. Thankfully, the breezy silhouette keeps it wearable for everyday.

7. Vacation-Ready: A smocked bodice lets this pink striped maxi dress move comfortably with you all day. Just add sandals, and you’re ready for sightseeing or dinner by the water.

8. Loungewear-Like: Think of this long-sleeve T-shirt dress as your favorite lounge dress — only polished enough to wear out of the house. Slides or sneakers both work with it perfectly.

9. Has Pockets: No summer dress is complete without somewhere to stash your phone, and this tie-waist mini dress delivers. The relaxed fit makes it just as practical as it is cute.

10. Rich Mom-Style: Between the tie waist, button front and soft blue stripes, this maxi shirt dress looks far more expensive than it actually is.

11. Figure-Flattering: Designed with a cinched waist and midi length, this blue striped dress naturally creates the look of an hourglass shape.

12. Tummy-Hiding: Sitting slightly above the waist, the seam on this light blue T-shirt midi dress draws the eye upward while skimming over the midsection.

13. Strapless Stunner: Thanks to a stretchy smocked bodice, this strapless maxi dress stays put without constant adjusting. The pockets are just a bonus.

14. Nautical Knit: Contrast trim and a button-front placket give this knit midi dress timeless sailor-inspired charm. The knit fabric also helps it keep its shape throughout the day.

15. Everyday Ease: Flutter sleeves add a feminine touch to this blue striped swing dress, while the relaxed silhouette makes it an easy choice for busy days.

16. Sneaker Friendly: White sneakers are the obvious match for this black-and-white tank dress, but it looks just as cute with flat sandals and flip-flops.

17. Brunch-Ready: From bridal showers to birthday dinners, this smocked midi dress fits right in. Dress it down with flat sandals or elevate it with wedges.

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

Shop the UsNow Summer Sale –>

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Related: Swap Your Jeans for These Casual (and Comfy!) Throw-on-and-Go Dresses

Rocking a tee and jeans combo is always tempting, but not when it’s 80 degrees and sunny outside. Thankfully, breezy summer dresses are even comfier than this tried-and-true pairing, not to mention much more stylish. The right dress makes you appear put together with any pair of shoes, be it sneakers, sandals or even flip-flops. […]