TheMass Effectgames are truly a love letter to science fiction. Through various narrative and stylistic elements, this spacefaring series pays homage to numerous tent poles of the sci-fi genre. It only makes sense to recruit veterans of that genre to help craft this intergalactic epic.
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Many iconic sci-fi actors pop up throughout theMass Effectseries. Most of them voice one-off or minor characters. Others, however, have major roles throughout the trilogy. Regardless of their screen time, though, fans should instantly recognize them. Their inclusion further emphasizes the passion that the developers have for the genre at large.
7Keith David
One of the first voices that players hear is Shepard’s mentor, Joseph Anderson. An Alliance veteran and old friend, he guides the heroes through the whole trilogy.He always has their backs, partially because he hates the slowness and two-faced nature of bureaucracy.
Lending his smooth pipes to this stalwart companion is Keith David. He’s been part of a plethora of projects across the sci-fi board. Audiences may remember him from John Carpenter films likeThe ThingandThey Live, but he’s also brought gravitas to theRiddickflicks, theHalogames, and Todd McFarlane’sSpawn.Mass Effectis just another entry in that list, and his deep bass fits the authoritative Anderson like a glove.
6Lance Henriksen
Rivaling David in the pantheon of cool voices is Lance Henriksen. This actor was originally up for the titular cyborg inThe Terminator. Though ultimately saddled with a minor role in that film, he was repaid by director James Cameron with the role of Bishop inAliens. He went on to play corporate head Weyland in subsequentAlienflicks. Beyond the big screen, he delved into TV sci-fi with the lead inMillenniumand the villainous Tesler inTron: Uprising. His deep, gravelly voice makes him ideal for antagonists and other imposing figures.
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Admiral Hackett is a fine example of that. This grizzled soldier also guides Shepard, albeit from a distance.He assigns the heroes various optional tasks through audio transmissions, meaning they hear him long before they see him. He isn’t someone you say, “No,” to, so most players probably complete those tasks. Even if they don’t, Hackett takes a more active role inMass Effect 3, heading the construction of the Crucible weapon. With a voice like his, he doesn’t have to worry about insubordination or laziness.
5Marina Sirtis
An early lead in uncovering Saren’s plot is Liara’s mother, Benezia.She uses her biotic powers and religious knowledge to further the villain’s plans. As an asari matriarch, she has a spiritual quality to her voice.
That largely comes down to Marina Sirtis and her portrayal. She’s best known for playing Deanna Troi inStar Trek: The Next Generationand its accompanying films. This telepathic counselor is also a wise and contemplative character. As such, Sirtis would naturally carry the gravitas needed for Benezia.
4Michael Dorn
AnotherTNGstar joins the fun. Michael Dorn played Worf in that show, the subsequent movies, andDeep Space Nine. He’s a Klingon Starfleet officer, so his booming voice and unyielding demeanor embody that warrior race for many viewers.The Kroganare essentially theMass Effectrendition of Klingons, so it makes sense to throw Dorn in there at some point.
That point comes in the second game. The actor plays an antagonistic Krogan named Gatatog Uvenk. The character is a stickler for tradition and opposes the genetically engineered Grunt undergoing his people’s rite of passage. He’s basically a more vindictive version of Worf. Thankfully, after all these years, it’s a role Dorn could play in his sleep.
3Carrie-Anne Moss
In the series' second entry, the crew’s clandestine adventure brings them in contact with the criminal element. It’s here they meet Aria T’Loak, the foremost crime lord on a gang-filled space station. She may put on a calm attitude, but that understated tone hides a ruthless ruler.
This is why Carrie-Anne Moss is so fitting. Her reserved tone often carries a subtle edge, and she uses this gift to play several sharp characters.The most famous of these is Trinity in theMatrixmovies. Considering that natural charisma, Aria is right up her alley.
2Armin Shimerman
Shimerman is a prolific character actor, both onscreen and in voiceover, and there’s no better showcase of his quirky talent than his work in sci-fi. He’s occupied colorful roles like the shifty Quark inStar Trek: Deep Space Nine,Dr. NefariousinRatchet & Clank, and Andrew Ryan inBioShock. He clearly has a gift for morphing his voice.
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That’s likely the reason he plays two characters inMass Effect. In the first game, he pops up as Fai Dan: the downbeat leader of the ill-fated human colony on Zhu’s Hope. The second character is a recurring bit part of the stuck-up Salarian councilor. While neither of these is as juicy as his aforementioned genre roles, Shimerman ably plays both and makes them unique from each other.
1Tricia Helfer
InMass Effect 2, Shepard and crew get a new companion built into theNormandy. EDI is an AI who helps run the ship.The following game even gives her an android body to accompany the squad on ground missions. She remains cool and composed through the direst circumstances. Though comforting, her tone might sound familiar to genre fans.
That’s because it’s Tricia Helfer. Most sci-fi fans probably know her for long-running work inBattlestar Galactica, but she’s also had recurring roles in other properties likeTron: Uprisingand theStarcraftgames. As such, she’s no stranger to dry, reserved figures. She’s even played robotic and/or artificial people several times. What’s one more?
