The Lazarus Project 2.0? Shepard Actors Are “Ready and Waiting” for Mass Effect 5

As of late December 2025, the voice behind one of gaming’s most iconic protagonists has officially thrown down the gauntlet. In a series of year-end interviews—most notably with IGN and the YouTube channel Fall Damage—Jennifer Hale (Female Shepard) and Mark Meer (Male Shepard) have confirmed they are eager to return for the next Mass Effect, even going so far as to ask fans to “lobby” BioWare on their behalf.

While BioWare remains “heads-down” on development following the launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, these comments have reignited the fiercest debate in the fandom: Should the Commander stay dead, or is it time for one more mission?

1. Jennifer Hale: “I’m Ready. Anytime.”

Jennifer Hale has been the most vocal about a potential return. In an October 2025 interview that went viral again this week, she made it clear that her bags are packed for a return to the Normandy (or whatever ship comes next).

• The Call to Action: Hale explicitly encouraged fans to contact the “powers that be” at EA and BioWare: “Email them and say, ‘Give us more Shepard, please.’ Because we will be there… I would be there with bells on.”

• Open to Anyone: Interestingly, Hale noted she wouldn’t even insist on playing Shepard. She loves the universe so much she told IGN she would be happy to voice “anyone”—be it a Krogan, Salarian, or a new human protagonist.

• The Current Reality: As of December 30, Hale confirmed that BioWare has not yet called her to record for the new title, which is currently in pre-production.

2. Mark Meer: “Only Under Any Circumstances”

Mark Meer, known for his dry wit and multi-role versatility in the original trilogy (he also voiced the Vorcha, Hanar, and many Volus), echoed Hale’s sentiment with his signature humor.

• The Consensus: Meer agreed that he would return “only under any circumstances,” signaling his total willingness to suit up as the Commander again.

• The “Alive” Theory: When asked about Shepard’s fate after the polarizing endings of Mass Effect 3, Meer poignantly remarked, “I like to think Shepard is alive in all of our hearts.” —

Status of the “Next Mass Effect” (Project Gaia)

While the actors are ready, the game itself is still years away. Here is what we know about the project’s current state as we head into 2026:

3. The “N7 Day” Tease and Canon Conflict

Fans have pointed to N7 Day 2025 (November 7) as a turning point for “Shepard Return” theories. A hidden message in a BioWare blog post reportedly contained the words “url krogan,” leading fans to hidden art of a Krogan civil war.

More importantly, BioWare’s recent teasers have featured a character in an N7 trench coat, which many believe is either Shepard or a direct successor. However, the Mass Effect TV Series (currently in development at Amazon) has officially confirmed it will tell a “brand-new story” and will not be a retread of Shepard’s journey, which may suggest BioWare is trying to keep the Commander’s “legend” separate from new media.

Conclusion: To Bring Back or Not to Bring Back?

The community remains deeply divided. While the actors’ enthusiasm is infectious, many fans argue that bringing Shepard back would “cheapen” the sacrifice of the original trilogy. Others argue that after the mixed reception of Andromeda, the franchise needs its “North Star” to regain its footing.

As Shawn Layden recently noted in his industry critiques, the “Rockstar” status of characters like Shepard is what sells consoles—and with BioWare now the sole focus of EA’s RPG ambitions, the temptation to “break the glass” on the Commander may be too high to resist.

Would you like me to track the rumors regarding which Mass Effect 3 ending BioWare might choose as “canon” to allow for Shepard’s potential return?