Actress, voice performer, author and former Canadian politician Lenore Zann was a staple of our childhoods, and if you grew up watching X-Men: The Animated Series, she was part of yours, too.
Many know her best as the voice of Rogue in that classic series, which first started airing in 1992, captivating fans as the sassy Southern belle who also happens to be one of the most powerful superheroes in the Marvel universe. In the time since, she’s showcased her talents in more than 100 credits in TV, film, games and more, and now, more than 30 years later, she’s back as the iconic character for the Disney+ revival, X-Men ’97, which is currently airing its second season. We had the pleasure of speaking with Lenore to learn all about returning as Rogue and the character’s legacy, her memoir A Rogue’s Tale and so much more. Read our full interview with her below.
Sweety High: How did you first get involved with voice acting? Did you know early on that it was something you had a real knack for? How did that career evolve from there?
Lenore Zann: I actually started my career on the stage! I was “discovered” at 19 to play Marilyn Monroe in a rock opera called Hey Marilyn!, which really kickstarted my life as an actor. I didn’t get into voice acting until I was 26. My very first radio drama actually won an ACTRA Award for Best Actor, which was a wonderful surprise that told me I might just have a knack for this! A few years later, my agent called me about an audition for an animated series, telling me they were looking for a woman with a “deep, husky, sexy voice who can do a Southern accent.” I went in, gave it my all, and that turned out to be Rogue.
(Photo credit: Lenore Zann)
SH: For many fans around the world you are the voice of Rogue. What has it meant to you to return to the role after all this time? Has your approach to the character changed at all since the beginning in 1992?
LZ: It has been an absolute dream come true. When I first got the email about auditioning for X-Men ’97, I was back in Nova Scotia having just finished 12 years serving in government as an elected official, so I honestly thought it was a joke at first! Returning to Rogue means the world to me. My approach is still rooted in the same character, but I’ve lived a whole other life between the ’90s and now. I brought my own authentic, lived grief into the recording booth this time around—especially during Episode 5, “Remember It,” where I channeled the tragic loss of my sweet 17-year-old niece, Maia, to cancer. I poured my real feelings into the performance so that audiences could feel that raw emotion and, hopefully, find some catharsis and healing of their own.
(Image courtesy of Marvel Animation)
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SH: What has it been like to see a new generation of viewers fall in love with your version of Rogue, and the X-Men in general?
LZ: It is incredibly beautiful. When we were making the original show, we hoped we were teaching lessons about tolerance, inclusion and accepting people who are different. I’m sad that bigotry and racism are still things we have to fight against today, but seeing a whole new generation embrace the X-Men gives me so much hope. At comic cons, I regularly see three generations of families at my table—people who watched the show as kids in the ’90s are now introducing it to their own children. It’s a wonderful legacy to be part of.
SH: What is your favorite thing about the character of Rogue and getting the chance to lend her your voice?
LZ: I love that Rogue fights for the underdog. She is a strong, self-deprecating woman who doesn’t suffer fools, and she will put her life on the line for those who cannot fight for themselves. But my absolute favorite thing about her is her complexity. I like to say that her greatest strength is also her Achilles’ heel. She has incredible physical power, but because of her mutant ability, she can never allow herself to be truly intimate or let her guard down without risking the lives of the people she loves. Getting to voice that deep, underlying vulnerability beneath her tough armor is an actor’s dream.
(Image courtesy of Marvel Animation)
SH: With over 100 credits to your name, are there any roles you’re most fond of?
LZ: Rogue will always hold the most special place in my heart, but I’ve been so lucky to play a wide variety of characters! In animation, I absolutely loved voicing Aisha Clan-Clan in the anime Outlaw Star, Star Catcher in My Little Pony and Roll in MegaMan NT Warrior. In the live-action world, playing Jeannie Gorski in the new Syfy Peacock series Revival was such a fun project to work on. It’s such a thrilling, eerie mystery to be a part of, and diving into that dark sci-fi universe has been a wonderful joy. And, of course, playing Marilyn Monroe—both at 19 and later in my own off-Broadway play, The Marilyn Tapes—was a defining role that helped shape my entire career.
SH: What do you think are your unique talents as a voice actor? How do you feel you’ve showcased your versatility over the years?
LZ: My personal philosophy is that “voice acting is acting.” I don’t just put on a funny voice; I bring my full theatrical background into the booth to ground every line in real emotion. As for versatility, I think going from a tough, Southern mutant superhero to a sweet little pony, and then to an energetic anime cat-girl, shows a pretty fun range! Also, early in my career, I was known as a bit of a “scream queen” in 1980s Canadian horror films—that actually ended up being the perfect training for all the intense battle cries and screams I have to do for action cartoons!
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SH: What do you think people misunderstand most about your job?
LZ: People often think voice acting is just standing still in front of a microphone and reading lines off a piece of paper. In reality, it is a full-body performance! You have to use your breath, your physicality and your imagination to build a whole world around you while standing in a tiny, padded room. It requires a lot of heavy emotional lifting to make the audience feel what the character is feeling using only the sound of your voice.
SH: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to get into your line of work?
LZ: Take acting classes, get involved in theater and learn how to connect with your emotions. Don’t be afraid to embrace your vulnerabilities—that is where your best performances will come from. And most importantly, learn to stand up for yourself and take your power back. Don’t let anyone force you into a box or tell you who you have to be. Find your own voice first, and the rest will follow.
SH: Is there anything else fans should know?
LZ: If you want to know all the behind-the-scenes stories—the good, the bad and the ugly of show business and politics—my autobiography, A Rogue’s Tale: A Memoir, is available now! I am also thrilled to be voicing Rogue in the upcoming Marvel Rivals video game. Beyond that, I am currently expanding into creative production and developing a brand-new animated project based entirely on my father’s published books. There is so much more to come, sugas!
(Image courtesy of Marvel Animation)
Almost a decade ago, we broke down all the reasons we love classic X-Men: The Animated Series better than the movies. Click HERE to read it.
