While the show is still in the early stages of its development, Jennifer Hale is already weighing in on potentially returning for the Mass Effect TV adaptation. Hale, a highly regarded voice actor, starred in the first three games of the sci-fi RPG franchise as the female version of Commander Shepherd, as the lead character came with both a male and female option for players to choose. Development on a Mass Effect adaptation began regaining steam after shifting to TV on Prime Video with F9: The Fast Saga‘s Daniel Casey set to write the show.
During a recent interview with Eurogamer, Hale was asked her thoughts on the in-development Mass Effect TV show. While the game star humorously acknowledged she would like to see FemShep made canon for the show, she was very eager about her interest to return to the franchise with the adaptation, while also explaining why she thinks the show should bring back multiple voice actors from the game. Check out what Hale said below:
You will always get a yes vote from me on Shepard coming back in any form. That was such a gift, and it’s a gift I will always be extremely joyful to receive. I never supposed to tell creators what to do. The only thing I must say about that TV series is I want to play! Any capacity, I will be there with bells on! I think they’d be really smart to pull as much of the original cast into the show in cameos and Easter eggs and recurring and regular [roles] as possible.
I think that would be an absolutely genius move. The voice acting community are some of the most brilliant performers I’ve ever met… they’re the most gifted, hard-working, adept, skilled people I’ve ever met in my life in the acting field. So, I’m ready for the smart production company that stops overlooking that gold mine. I fully volunteer to be on the show.
What This Means For The Mass Effect TV Show
It Could Take A Page Out Of Another Adaptation’s Playbook
With Casey having only just been attached to spearhead the show this past November, there’s certainly a long way to go before the Mass Effect adaptation begins building its cast, let alone consider bringing back any original stars. One of the biggest factors that could affect Hale’s potential return is how the show looks to adapt BioWare’s game franchise, be it telling Commander Shepard’s story again, or tackling it from an original angle. Given the latter angle worked for fellow Prime Video RPG adaptation Fallout, it would make sense they’d encourage Casey to take that route.
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That being said, regardless of what path Casey takes to adapting the games, there is another game adaptation that the Mass Effect show could look to for bringing back original stars, that being HBO’s The Last of Us. Season 1 of the post-apocalyptic drama saw many of its game actors return to the property, albeit nearly all of them in entirely different roles, namely original Joel actor Troy Baker as the villainous James and original Ellie actor Ashley Johnson as her own character’s mother. Considering Hale’s continued interest in the world of Mass Effect, it would make sense for the show’s team to consider having her appear.
Hale also provided additional, unspecified voices in the original Last of Us game.
The other reason why this could work for the Mass Effect show is the wide range of alien races that exist in the franchise, many of whom would likely need to be brought to life with CGI and voiceover actors. Some of the more notable who would be key figures to the story should Shepard be the protagonist again include Garrus, voiced by Brandon Keener, Urdnot Wrex, voiced by Steven Barr, Tali’Zorah, voiced by Ash Sroka, and Thane Krios, voiced by Keythe Farley.
Our Take On Hale & Other Potential Mass Effect Returns
The Games Had A Number Of Big-Name Stars Who Could Also Come Back
Considering who closely linked Shepard’s story is to player’s choices, it may feel weird for longtime fans to see them as the protagonist of the Mass Effect show, particularly since it would necessitate canonizing the character’s gender. That being said, I think Hale’s return would be a very fun nod to the source material, particularly if they take a similar route to the likes of The Last of Us by giving most of their returning stars some form of an impactful story rather than a quick cameo.
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I also don’t necessarily think that the Mass Effect TV show should stop at the main cast of the games for nostalgic returns, considering the games had some big names playing supporting characters. Whether it’s Yvonne Strahovski’s Miranda, who was clearly modeled after the future Handmaid’s Tale star, Carrie-Anne Moss’ Pirate Queen Aria T’Loak or Keith David’s Captain Anderson, the possibilities are endless for whom the show’s creative team should look to bring back.
Source: Eurogamer
- Platform(s)
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PS3
, Xbox 360
, PC - Released
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November 20, 2007
- Developer(s)
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BioWare
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 3
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Language, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- How Long To Beat
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17 Hours
