Maggie Blue O’Hara, voice of Kitty Pryde, celebrates X-Men: Evolution‘s 25th anniversary. She reflects on her time as the iconic character and talks The Uncanny Experience, in this interview.
As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beloved animated series X-Men: Evolution, we were thrilled to catch up with Maggie Blue O’Hara, the iconic voice behind the spirited and fan-favorite character, Kitty Pryde. July’s epic The Uncanny Experience is just around the corner, where fans will be able to meet her, as well as other X-Men favorites.
In this interview, Maggie reflects on the show’s enduring legacy, her cherished memories from her time as part of the X-Men family, and what fans can look forward to at this special event.
Maggie Blue O’Hara Reflects On The Iconic Series – X-Men: Evolution
Tessa Smith: What’s it like to reflect on the show now a quarter century later?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: When the last season of X-Men Evolution wrapped up 25 years ago, I had fallen in love with a Chinese theater director. We moved to Hong Kong and started the All Theater Art Association, a bilingual multimedia dance theater company. We created original productions where I co-wrote scripts, choreographed, and performed lead roles. We toured those shows worldwide, which was an amazing experience. Since then, I’ve had many other creative projects.
Tessa Smith: Are there any new insights or feelings about the series that have emerged over time?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: I simply appreciate being a part of such an iconic show. I’m grateful for the experience and that fans still remember it. I’m proud of the good work I did on the show, and that people still appreciate it.
Tessa Smith: What do you think makes Kitty Pryde such an enduring and beloved character?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: Kitty Pryde was a teenager, unlike some of the older characters who were already adults. I think people reading the comics appreciated that she was also a teenager and found her more relatable—that feeling of trying to fit in and finding her way as an awkward teenager.
Reunions and Revelations: The Uncanny Experience Awaits
Tessa Smith: What do you anticipate will be the most rewarding part of interacting with X-Men fans?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: It’s always awesome to be around X-Men Evolution fans because they remember the episodes and lines from the show, and they appreciate the work I’ve done. We can all reminisce together, which will be fun.
Tessa Smith: Can you recall a memorable fan encounter?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: The first cosplay anime convention I ever went to was in 2014 in London. You can actually find a whole interview about it on YouTube by searching “Maggie Blue O’Hara London anime convention interview.” It was a great experience to be among hundreds of fans for the first time who truly appreciated my work and the show.
Tessa Smith: You’ll be joined by Steven E. Gordon and Meghan. Have you had a chance to reconnect with them?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: I’ve never met Steven before. The last time I saw Meghan in person, we were in our 20s, so it’ll be awesome to reminisce with her. We’re both mothers now, so we can talk about our kids and how much life experience we’ve had since the show. I’m grateful to Steven E. Gordon because he’s given me permission to use his original illustrations. I have a bunch of them, and we’re going to print them out to have available for sale at the market with my autograph. I’m excited about having some original work that people have never seen before for sale at the convention in July.
Bringing Kitty Pryde to Life: Character, Powers, and Advice
Tessa Smith: Kitty’s powers of phasing – how did you mentally prepare for that?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: Yes, I used my imagination. I imagined her frequency changing, her molecular structure changing, and I thought about how that would feel emotionally.
Tessa Smith: If you could give Kitty Pryde one piece of advice, what would it be?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: I also have a 15-year-old daughter, and the advice I give young girls is to focus on yourself, focus on your dreams, and focus on your own heart and beliefs because they are important and valid. Don’t worry about boys or other kids’ opinions in school, and don’t be afraid to be yourself and speak your truth.
Tessa Smith: Beyond X-Men, Kitty Pryde has a long, rich history in the comics. Were you familiar with the characters?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: To be honest, no. I just got the audition and didn’t really consider the importance of X-Men and its history when I was auditioning. I simply connected to her awkwardness as a teenager trying to fit in, and also to her inner confidence, strength, and powers, which I always connected to. That’s what resonated with me during the audition.
Tessa Smith: Is there anything specific you learned or took away from your time working on X-Men?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: I always remembered, enjoyed, and appreciated the camaraderie, strength, and friendships that were built among all the actors during those four years. It was probably one of the most fun experiences I had over my many years and hundreds of episodes on different shows. I carried that camaraderie with me, and whenever I had the chance to work with large groups of voiceover actors on other shows, I always made sure we were friends and listened to each other during the process.
Tessa Smith: If Kitty Pryde were to attend The Uncanny Experience, what do you think she’d be most excited to see or do?
Maggie Blue O’Hara: Well, I am part of Kitty Pryde, and we are looking forward to doing karaoke, dressing up, being at the dance party, and meeting more friends. Woohoo, let’s go! See you in July, everyone!
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NEXT: The Uncanny Experience Celebrates X-Men: Evolution’s 25th Anniversary
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.