EXCLUSIVE: Jennifer Hale, the star of X-Men ’97, discusses season 2 and her return as Jean Grey.

      As X-Men ’97 continues the monumental narrative of Marvel’s mutant heroes, voice actress Jennifer Hale reprises her role as one of the team’s most renowned characters, Jean Grey. Following the events of season 1, the series tracks the X-Men, who have become dispersed throughout time, as they endeavor to return to their original timeline and thwart the emergence of their most formidable foe: Apocalypse.

      In a conversation with Digital Trends, Hale shared her thoughts on returning to voice Jean Grey after having done so in numerous Marvel animated projects. She also elaborated on the development of Jean’s character and what fans can anticipate from season 2 of X-Men ’97.

      This transcript has been condensed for brevity and clarity.

      Digital Trends: How does it feel to voice such a legendary character in such a beloved show right now?

      Hale: Honestly, I feel like I've hit the jackpot. It's an amazing experience. When I first got the role, I was absolutely thrilled.

      I really admire our voice director, Meredith Layne. She's phenomenal. Voice directors are often the unsung heroes of our industry, making us sound fantastic. She has done a remarkable job, especially with the way the team has approached Jean in this version of the show.

      Jean has many forms—Goblin Queen, Madelyne Pryor, and others—and to have Meredith guiding us is just incredible. Being part of this cast and following in Catherine [Disher]’s footsteps is a huge honor for me. I truly love this show.

      I adore this team. They are extraordinary. The writing is top-notch, and many people in the production crew grew up watching the show, which is evident.

      Digital Trends: Absolutely, the passion is clear. As a huge fan of the show, I think you did a fantastic job as Jean Grey. This isn’t your first time voicing her; you've voiced her in previous Marvel animated series. What keeps you coming back to this character after all these years?

      Hale: You can't keep me away…the voiceover world is filled with incredibly talented actors. A select few of us get to be Jean, and I am beyond grateful to portray her in these opportunities. I genuinely love it. I could talk endlessly about it.

      Digital Trends: Oh, please do!

      Hale: It’s just amazing. It’s interesting how we share roles… I’ve voiced Rogue before, and Lenore [Zann] is superb as Rogue. She’s the original, right?

      Absolutely. She’s amazing and a wonderful person too. I mean, I don’t want to leave anyone out, but everyone in this cast does an incredible job. And the new additions this season? Wow!

      Digital Trends: Yes, I heard you have the younger version of Cable in season 2 played by Michael Johnston. He really nailed that role. Speaking of which, a significant part of this season revolves around Jean and Scott's relationship with their son, Nathan. How does it evolve in season two?

      Hale: Oh, the fact that we finally get to see him again…we gave him up in season 1, trusting that things would turn out well, but it didn’t go as planned. That’s all I’ll say for those who haven't watched. But getting to reunite with him and be a part of his life again is such a wonderful moment!

      Digital Trends: Right. What has been your favorite moment in the series so far?

      Hale: All of it? It's tough to say. I love… Oh man, that’s a hard question. Don’t make me choose! I think I have to mention what you just brought up—the reconnection with Cable. That entire arc is something I cherish. I won’t say more to avoid spoilers, though.

      Digital Trends: Understood. Without revealing any spoilers, what else can fans look forward to in this season of X-Men ’97?

      Hale: Hmm, that's a tricky one. I don't know if I can manage that. So I’ll just say, buckle up!

      Digital Trends: I’m all buckled up! Now, tell us about your approach to bringing these iconic characters to life as a voice actor. You’ve taken on many different roles, and I imagine each experience is unique. How do you tackle that?

      Hale: It all starts with the writing. The writers are the heartbeat of the show. These scripts are outstanding, and that's where everything begins and ends.

      I infuse my creativity, and then the voice director synthesizes all the input from the production team and channels it to me or us actors. That process is crucial. It's interesting how we stay open with this show.

      For season one, our initial recording kept to the original 90s acting style, which was quite different. We tinkered with it, revisiting and adjusting until we found a balance that respects the original.

      Typically, we record solo, but there are times when Ray [Chase] and I get