Lenore Zann is an actress, politician, and, most recently, author. She is probably best known for her role in numerous animated features (including as the voice of Rogue in X-men 97) and for fighting for equality as a politician with the Canadian government. She was gracious enough to take some time to answer our most pressing questions.
Q0 You returned to the role of Rogue after many years. Did you anticipate the reception that X-Men ’97 got?
No. None of us did. We are all just blown away not only by the reaction to the new show but now that we are able to meet our fans at Comic Cons and interact online we are also blown away by the impact that people keep telling us our show has had on their lives since they were kids watching us in the 90’s. So many people have told us “You MADE my childhood.” Or “Your performance as Rogue really helped me get through some tough times.” When people tell me these things, I can’t help but be reminded of what an honour and a privilege it is to be able to come into people’s homes – and minds – and share lessons about social justice, about love and respect, about commitment, and about never giving up on trying to make this world a better place where we can all live in peace and harmony.
Now they are introducing their kids to us and their kids are the new generation of X-Men fans! It’s exciting to see. In fact we will often meet three generations of X-Men fans in one family. When I meet folks I’m aware that I’m helping to make more happy memories for them. How cool is that?
Q) Did your years away from the role change how you approached the character?
I talk about this in my book.I’m a serious actor- I approach all roles the same way. I’ve been performing in live theatre, movies, tv and animation since I was 16 and worked hard to perfect my craft in all mediums. When you keep working on your craft or skills then you keep getting better. I never want to stop growing as an actor. But I would add that the varied life experiences I’ve had in the past 30 years definitely helped with the deep emotional dive I had to do in Episode 5 “Remember It” for which our series received the Prime Time Emmy nomination.
Q) Do you have spoilers you can share for the second season? What can we expect from Rogue?
Nope – no spoilers here. You’ll have to watch the show! As for what to expect from Rogue, expect more of the same. Rogue is on what’s known in mythology as the Hero’s Journey – she continues on her a mission to get justice for Remy, whatever it takes.
Q) You have worked with a lot of different talents over the years. Who are some of your favorites? Is there anyone you are still craving to work with that you haven’t?
I’d love to finally get to work with Stephen Spielberg who I talk about in my book – in the chapter when I was called to take a meeting with him to discuss Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom.
Q) I was surprised that you had an extensive career in politics besides your work as an actress. How did you get started in that?
Read the book. It’s all in there! But in a nutshell I got tired of seeing old white men running the world – when I first ran for office in 2009 there was only one female world leader: Angela Meerkle of Germany. I decided to run because I felt that more women needed to be at the table where all the decisions were being made. Many people including my own mother and sister time me I was crazy to run – that I would never win – but I won that time, (in what the media called a “Zannslide”) and then proceeded to win two more times. After ten years of public service at the state level as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Nova Scotia, I ran federally and won that election too, becoming a Member of Parliament working with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In all I served four consecutive terms (12 years) in public office from 2009-2021. And my Private Members Bill : “National Strategy Respecting Environmental Racism” finally passed in Canadian Parliament this year, becoming the law of the land in June, 2024.
Q) You have always been a proponent for diversity. Did your time in politics make you more or less hopeful for marginalized people in the future? :
It doesn’t have to take any time in politics to see that there is still a gigantic battle to stop bigotry and prejudice are still rampant in society everywhere. Thirty years ago when we created the first X-Men series I assumed that by this time racism, misogyny and homophobia would simply be quaint old notions that had been relegated to where they belong: to the dustbin of history. Unfortunately they have reared their ugly heads once again. So, once again we will fight for equality and human rights and remind folks it’s ok to be “different” – to simply be their authentic selves. Because they are enough just as they are. As Rogue says in “The Cure”, “There ain’t no cure for who you are.”
Q) Besides the X-men cartoon, do you have any other projects coming down the wire?
My memoir A ROGUE’S TALE; REVIVAL – horror genre tv series for SYFY; The Legend of the White Dragon – feature film starring Jason David Frank ; Space Bears – an animated musical feature film
Final four questions:
When the zombies take over the world, where will you be?
Nova Scotia
What is your favorite Fandom?
X-Men of course!
What piece of art, be it in the form of music, a book, a film or picture, do you think people must experience before they die?:
Life is Beautiful (1997) an Italian comedy-drama film about a Jewish Italian bookshop owner who uses his imagination to protect his son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. The film stars and was directed by Roberto Benigni, who also co-wrote the film with Vincenzo Cerami.
Give one fact that most people would not believe about you. :
I’m actually quite shy.
Paper Phoenix ink 