Gates McFadden, well-known for her role as Dr. Beverly Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation, has taken on a new and exciting role in the Marvel universe. She voices the character Mother Askani in the Season 1 finale of X-Men ‘97, and according to the show’s supervising producer and head director Jake Castorena, she absolutely nailed it.
In an exclusive discussion with CinemaBlend, Castorena shared his enthusiasm for McFadden’s performance. He revealed that casting her for the role was a perfect fit, and her portrayal of Mother Askani truly brought the character to life. This appearance marks a significant year for McFadden, who also reprised her iconic Star Trek role in Star Trek: Picard Season 3.
Spoilers for the X-Men ‘97 Season 1 finale ahead!
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The finale, titled “Tolerance is Extinction – Part 3,” concluded with a dramatic twist. Although the X-Men managed to defeat Bastion and stop Asteroid M from crashing into Earth, the explosion sent most of the team to different time periods. Cyclops and Jean Grey found themselves in the year 3960 AD, where they encountered an elderly woman named Mother Askani, voiced by McFadden.
Mother Askani, in the comics, is an older version of Rachel Summers, the daughter of Cyclops and Jean Grey from the Days of Future Past timeline. This character possesses powerful psionic abilities and was instrumental in combating the villain Apocalypse in a dystopian future. In X-Men ‘97, Mother Askani leads Clan Askani and includes a young version of Nathan Summers, though it remains unclear if this Nathan is the same one taken by Bishop in the mid-21st century or a different version altogether.
Castorena was thrilled with McFadden’s readiness to accept the role and her ability to deliver such a compelling performance. This new chapter in McFadden’s career follows her recent voice role as Queen Marlena in Netflix’s Masters of the Universe: Revolution.
As fans eagerly await more details on X-Men ‘97 Season 2, Castorena promises that McFadden’s Mother Askani will play a crucial role. With Beau DeMayo no longer involved in the show, McFadden’s casting stands as a testament to his lasting influence on the series.
Stay tuned for updates on the release date for X-Men ‘97 Season 2 and keep track of all current programming with the 2024 TV schedule.
