We speak with Kimberly Brooks and Bex Taylor-Klaus about their all new takes on Allura and Pidge.
DreamWorksVoltron Legendary Defenderpromises big changes to the universe ofVoltron, none more so then in its characters.
In the original series, Allura was, on the surfance, your typical princess.
Shes now been transformed into a whip-smart alien princess of color.
Why dont you tell us a little about her?
Now that shes awake shes got the challenge of this little tiny task of saving the universe.
If so, thats pretty cool to see a woman running the whole planet.
Well one, the other characters are from Earth.
Shes from Altea so theyre different in the way they operate in general.
Like any good leader she listens and shes gonna learn and theres a lot of adventures ahead.
A lot of fights.
You will definitely see interpersonal relationships with each and every one of the other characters.
Its amazing what theyve done.
Can you give us any hints to her relationships with the other characters?
I know there are a lot of Keith/Allura fans out there.
Itll be interesting how that whole thing unfolds.
I think fans are going to be really really excited about it.
People are going to be surprised but engaged.
So its less about oh man theres a crazy monster destroying the universe but more about the characters.
Yeah, that goes without saying.
We know we gotta fight.
But its like real life.
And its those interpersonal relationships that fuel the action and make it more intense and relevant.
Theyve done such a good job on this show.
I love the writing on this show.
Maybe youre just gonna go in.
Every single episode, its amazing.
Were you a fan of the original Voltron?
Not an overly huge fan of it but I definitely watched it.
It was definitely a part of my television experience.
I definitely got into it and liked it.
Its really neat to be a part of this rebooting.
What has the reaction from fans been like?
I think people are highly anticipating this, not just for me, but for the entire show.
From the artists to the writers and the creators, everybody.
Fans have been extremely supportive and very much looking forward to this.
The version of Allura in this version is very different from what weve gotten before.
Whats great is that shes Altean.
In this show, not to give away any spoilers, were talking about the universe.
Theres a lot of planets in the universe.
Its wonderful to me that they made her a princes of color, Ill call her that.
Its just a diverse cast.
Its important and Im so happy to be a part of it.
So how long is it going to be before we can buy a Princess Allura action figure?
That is one of my dreams.
So, Im like, finger crossed.
I cant imagine that they would leave Princess Allura out because I know theres going to be toys.
Shes so badass you cant deny her a toy.
Hopefully theyll get the memo.
What do you feel you bring to the role of Allura?
Shes not just this figurehead and I look beautiful.
She has a real job, things to accomplish, she leads her team, this is everything.
Theres a lot of weight to her.
Thats a really fun character to play and I hopefully Im bringing that to the character, too.
How do you feel about that?
There is a spiritual connection.
In this show we call it quintessence.
Thats what so awesome about it, its otherwordly.
There is a definite spiritual connection with the lions because its energy.
Its all about harnessing that energy.
They are really the deciders of whos going to pilot them.
Its a very deep connection and Allura has that gift that was given to her by her father.
Is there a plot point where she wants to pilot a lion?
Even if she desires to pilot it wouldnt necessarily happen in that way.
If the lions tell her she needs to pilot you know Allura would be up to the task.
Do you think Allura is going to struggle with all this responsibility?
I would say, yeah.
For anybody that would be an arduous, overwhelming sort of task.
It is big, it is huge, and youre right, she just woke up!
Like, gee, thanks.
I just woke up and I gotta deal with all this, thanks.
Its gonna be an exciting adventure.
If you had to pick your favorite lion, which one would it be and why?
They all have unique personalities, but probably the obvious answer would be the Black Lion.
But you know it is hard to answer because they all need each other.
If I had to pick one, itd have to be the black one.
Check out the next page for our chat with Bex Taylor-Klaus, who plays the role of Pidge.
He wanted to be as smart and as successful in the garrison as his father and brother.
He worked really hard at it and hes a natural.
So thats why hes so good at machines because that was his place in the world?
Oh yeah, he loves it to.
Thats not to be ignored.
Pidge loves his technology and his machinery and he loves building things.
All of that really came from a value in his family.
Do you think as the show goes on Pidge will make a new family with the other main characters?
I definitely think so.
It takes him awhile.
He wants his family back.
Who doesnt want their loving family back?
At the same time, youre right, he does kinda find himself thrown into this new family.
Pidge seems withdrawn from the rest of the world.
Is that just because hes so focused on finding his family?
Hes very one track mind in the beginning.
What do you feel, as an actor, you bring to the role of Pidge?
I want to think I bring a little bit of excitement and energy.
When Pidge gets excited about something new and alien technological, Pidge gets very excited.
He is the quintessential geek out nerd.
I like to say that comes from me but its definitely the writing.
Well, I could tell you that but it would spoil all the fun of watching it.
What kind of parent names their kid Pidge?
I guess thats what a fantasy show is for, huh?
I would love to have it myself.
I want to see all these kids playing in the sandbox together.
Give us a brief rundown on Pidges relationship with the other main characters.
What are some key touchpoints with them?
Pidge is not as amused with Lance as Lance is by Lance.
No one is, but Pidge less than most.
Doesnt like dealing with his stuff all the time.
Hes kinda sarcastic towards him.
Hunk is… Hunk is a big lovable buttface.
Those are Pidges words, not mine.
Im sorry, Im thinking of myself right now.
I start thinking how much I love the characters.
Sometimes I forget Im not Pidge and also Pidge is a boy.
Thats not his focus.
Its fun to play around with those.
Yep, oh yeah.
He and his Lion are two peas in a pod.
He loves his Lion.
Tell us a little about the weapons the team gets.
Everyone else have these big ol weapons but Pidges is smaller.
Pidge is very small and unassuming but his weapon packs a powerful wallup.
Something I like a lot is each weapon has properties of where each lion was found.
I think its just beautifully done by our creators.
I can not sing their praises enough.
How do you feel about becoming the next generation of the Voltron legacy?
The show has been going on for over 30 years with many different iterations.
What do you feel is different about this version then the others?
Were kinda taking them deeper and taking them farther then I think the other generations have.
With the original Voltron, Pidge had this really squeaky, almost muppet voice.
Well I was warned.
This fifteen year old boy.
Not squeaky but not normal puberty boy level either.
And I was like, Okay, well, maybe theyll like this one.
Maybe they can listen to Pidge talking for more time.
And I didnt wanna be a muppet.
I thought itd be more fun this way to give him a real voice.
Yeah, Pidge is the youngest on the team for sure and I think the reason they chose me?
Well, for girls with more androgynous voices like myself, its easier to play up or down.
Its definitely something that gets brought up.
So its not as difficult for him.
Hows it feel that in a couple months you should be able to buy a Pidge action figure?
I still dont believe it.
Im so ready for it and I will believe it when I see it and probably not even then.
Its like a dream come true that I didnt even know was a dream.
Tell our readers a little about yourself, what do you do when you arent voice acting?
I love to hang out with my friends and watch a lot of Netflix.
Im very very excited for everyone to see this project.
Its been a blast work on and I think its amazing.
Im excited for other people to get to see it on such an amazing platform.
On Netflix, right now Im completely stuck onLady Dynamite, Maria Bamfords new show.
I think its fantastic.
Where would you like to see Pidge go as the show unfolds?
I would love to see Pidge in adventures that get him closer and closer to his family.
Kinda see how that goes for him, get him close, but still not get there.
This will probably be an obvious question for you, but favorite Lion and why?
And your favorite, not Pidges.
I think my favorite Lion… You know, it might actually be the red.
Its just so fast and aggressive and so… AH!
I just think the Red Lion is so cool.
Red and Green are my babies I think.
I love them so much but Red is definitely so strong.
A big thanks as well to Joshua Budich for the image used in the header for this article.
verify to check outDreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defenderwhen it drops June 10th on Netflix.
