Podcast Episode
443 - X-Men ’97 Cast - Rogue, Morph & Nightcrawler Walk Into a Podcast: The Voice Acting Craft Behind X-Men '97

About this episode
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Hello, Hello! In this episode, we sit down with three legendary voice actors from the animated series X-Men '97 — Lenore Zann (Rogue), JP Karliak (Morph), and Adrian Hough (Nightcrawler) — to discuss Season 2 of the hit Disney+ show, the craft of voice acting, and the personal journeys that have shaped each of their careers. The trio shares candid reflections on preserving character continuity across decades, the challenges facing working voice actors in an AI-driven industry, and how their art intersects with social justice, environmental advocacy, and political engagement. From cheat day meals to what it truly means to "MAKE IT," this conversation is as heartfelt as it is illuminating.
We also talk about:The origins of Rogue's iconic catchphrase "sugar" and how it became part of Lenore Zann's everyday speech, blurring the line between character and performerThe nostalgia for the 1990s circulating on social media, and why JP Karliak believes humans were never biologically designed to process the volume of information we consume today via the internetThe very real threat of AI voice cloning in the animation industry, including Adrian Hough's discovery of unauthorized voice copies of his characters Nightcrawler and Haytham Kenway, and what that means for workhorse voice actorsThe role the COVID-19 pandemic played in reviving interest in X-Men: The Animated Series on Disney+, and how that surge in viewership likely led directly to the creation of X-Men '97Each guest's deep personal commitment to causes beyond entertainment, including environmental advocacy for old-growth forests (Adrian), LGBTQIA+ voice actor support and nonpartisan voter engagement (JP), and social/political justice work rooted in Lenore's 12-year career as a Canadian politician
People, Places, Products, and Websites Mentioned:X-Men '97 X-Men: The Animated Series Disney+Revival PeacockAudible / Amazon Star Wars: Visions My Life with the Walter Boys Marvel Mash-Up Bob Trevino Likes ItOur Hero BalthazarHoly DaysBreaker Morant Mephisto The Ruling ClassThe Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith Picnic at Hanging RockMy Brilliant CareerStorm Hawks The Boss BabyCoComelonYo Gabba Gabba!BlueyThe Joy Luck ClubThe Aussie Six
PeopleLenore ZannJP KarliakAdrian HoughTracie Laymon Ted WelchOscar Boyson Nat Boltt Miriam Margolyes Jacki Weaver Judy DavisSam Neill Edward WoodwardJack ThompsonBryan BrownPeter O'TooleAnthony Hopkins / Hannibal LecterIan McKellenPatrick StewartTom Kenny / SpongeBobChris RockElla FitzgeraldMarilyn MonroeNeil Gaiman / The Graveyard BookDavid Letterman / Jennifer Aniston
CharactersX-ForceX-FactorPolarisJubilee / SunspotGraydon CreedCarol Danvers / Ms. MarvelMystique / DestinyBishopGambit / Remy LeBeauPoison IvyHaytham Kenway
Organizations, Tools & BooksQueer BoxNerds VoteNashville Film FestivalPostlyCanvaRiversideA Rogue's Tale Lilith FairMTV Video Music AwardsCocoanut Grove
PlacesVancouver IslandCalgaryLondon, UKMontrealParisNew York / Off-BroadwayWisconsinHollywood
Social MediaAdrian HoughJP Karliak@queerboxacademynerdsvote.com / @nerdsvote@LenoreZann (Instagram) / @ZannLenore (X)
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