The vibrant energy of the ExCeL London was unmistakable during the final weekend of May 2025, as over 150,000 fans descended upon the venue for the largest pop culture gathering in the United Kingdom. This instalment of MCM London Comic Con felt particularly historic, serving as a convergence point for several major fandoms, yet few sessions held as much emotional weight as the celebration of the animated series Star Wars: The Bad Batch. With the show having recently concluded its journey on Disney Plus, the presence of Michelle Ang, the voice of Omega, and Noshir Dalal, who portrayed the cunning Vice Admiral Rampart, provided a poignant look at the conclusion of a beloved era in the Star Wars galaxy.
The Immersive Experience of the MCM May 2025 Show Floor
Navigating the show floor at MCM London in May 2025 was an exercise in sensory immersion, with every aisle offering a different facet of geek culture. The central boulevard of the ExCeL was a river of incredible craftsmanship, featuring cosplayers dressed as everything from intricate Elden Ring characters to classic Marvel superheroes. Retailers in the South Hall offered a vast array of goods, ranging from rare Pokémon cards and retro Nintendo cartridges to high end designer figurines and exclusive convention merchandise.
The heartbeat of the creative community could be found in the Artist Alley, where legendary creators like Tyler Kirkham and Derek Landy engaged with readers. Nearby, the “Extra Lives” interactive video game concert provided a unique auditory experience, blending live music with audience participation in a tabletop RPG format. For those seeking a quieter engagement, the Imagination Gaming zone featured a library of board games where families and enthusiasts could learn new titles together. The entire floor was a testament to the diversity of modern fandom, ensuring that every visitor found a community to call their own.
A Star Studded Weekend of Panels and Guests at MCM May 2025
While the Star Wars presence was a major draw, the weekend was packed with other high profile sessions that kept the Main Stage at capacity. David Tennant took centre stage to reflect on his career across Doctor Who and Good Omens, sharing his affection for complex villains like Kilgrave from Jessica Jones. Patton Oswalt also made a significant impact, discussing his work on the Minor Threats comic book series and his time within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The nostalgia continued with a spirited reunion of the original Power Rangers cast, featuring Walter Jones, Steve Cardenas, and Karan Ashley, who shared stories of their early filming days and the lasting legacy of the late Jason David Frank. Other highlights included a Hazbin Hotel reunion with Stephanie Beatriz, Kimiko Glenn and Blake Roman, a deep dive into the work of legendary comic artist Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau as well as a spotlight on Spider-Man: Miles Morales star Nadji Jeter and so much more. Each panel contributed to the sense of a massive, shared celebration of storytelling across every medium. What is particularly wonderful about MCM is the amount of time and space given to fan-run panels and other activities which added to the fun and brought a sense of community.
The Bad Batch Main Stage Panel: A D20 Adventure
The public panel for The Bad Batch was anything but conventional, as the moderator introduced a tabletop gaming element to the session. This format led to a playful and unpredictable atmosphere.
Michelle revealed that her introduction to the tabletop world was quite specific, having played a character named Emily who was obsessed with the game in a New Zealand film titled My Wedding and Other Secrets. This personal connection to gaming culture resonated with the audience, bridging the gap between the actors and the fans. The conversation moved to tactical choices within the Star Wars universe, where Michelle opted for the practicality of a blaster to maintain a safe distance from foes. Noshir, meanwhile, described a far more cinematic approach involving throwing a lightsaber and then shooting it to create a shower of golden sparks, a move he believed would be both effective and stylish.
Bad Batch: Career Secrets and Critical Failures
The dice eventually rolled onto a question about the professional lies that actors often tell during the audition process. Michelle admitted to once claiming she could speak Chinese fluently to secure a role in a Twilight Zone episode, a deception that was quickly uncovered when she was expected to speak the language on set. Noshir shared a more common industry lie, noting that he once claimed to be an experienced bartender despite having no knowledge of the craft, which resulted in a confusing first day behind a real bar.
One of the most memorable moments of the panel was the “Critical Fail” segment, where the actors shared their most embarrassing career mishaps. Noshir recounted a gruelling motion capture session for a Middle-earth game project where, after consuming a large bowl of split pea soup, he was repeatedly slammed onto a mat by a stunt performer. The physical toll was immediate, resulting in a vibrant green streak across the expensive motion capture carpet, which is apparently still there! Michelle shared a story of a different kind of failure during a high stakes heist movie with Mark Wahlberg. Despite playing a professional thief, she found herself completely unable to operate a simple door lock during a tense scene, requiring twenty takes and leaving her thoroughly humbled in front of her famous co-star.
The Private Press Interview: Depth and Character
Following the public excitement of the panel, a private press interview offered a more reflective environment to discuss the nuances of character development. Michelle Ang looked back on the early days of voicing Omega, noting that the role began with a simple request for her natural New Zealand accent for a character that was then highly confidential. It was only as the production progressed that the magnitude of her role as the first female clone became clear. She described the journey as a series of wonderful surprises, emphasising the emotional growth of Omega from a naive child on Kamino to a determined leader within the burgeoning rebellion.
Noshir Dalal discussed his approach to Vice Admiral Rampart, whom he viewed primarily as a political animal rather than a standard military officer. He wanted to portray a man who was always calculating his next move, someone whose arrogance was his greatest weapon and his eventual undoing. Noshir admitted that he felt a deep sense of loss when Rampart was initially arrested in the series, believing his time in the Star Wars universe had come to an end. The opportunity to return for the final season allowed him to explore the desperation of a fallen man who still believed he was the smartest person in any room.
Emotional Finales and Hidden Messages
The conversation turned to the most challenging scenes to record, with Michelle highlighting the devastating loss of Tech at the end of the second season. She explained that the genuine bond between the cast members made those moments of grief feel incredibly real in the recording booth. She also fought for the inclusion of the final “button” in the series finale, an epilogue that shows a grown Omega leaving Hunter to join the rebellion. Michelle felt this closure was necessary for the audience, providing a sense of hope and a clear path forward for the character she had inhabited for years.
Noshir also shared a profound secret from his work on the video game Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, where he played Bode Akuna. He revealed that he incorporated subtle sign language into his performance to communicate with his daughter, Kata. In a pivotal moment, he uses a small hand gesture to sign the letters “O” and “K,” a hidden detail that signifies his character’s internal desire to keep his family safe despite his tragic choices. This level of dedication to performance exemplifies why these actors have become such integral parts of the Star Wars mythos, bringing a depth to their characters that transcends the animation on the screen.
The Legacy of MCM London May 2025
As the convention concluded, the impact of the weekend remained palpable among the fans who had traveled from all over the world to attend. MCM London May 2025 was more than just a gathering of celebrities and merchants; it was a celebration of the enduring power of storytelling. The insights provided by Michelle Ang and Noshir Dalal offered a fitting tribute to The Bad Batch, a show that explored the complexities of family and duty in a galaxy far, far away.
The event set a high bar for the upcoming October 2025 MCM London, with rumours already circulating about new guest appearances and major gaming reveals. For those who attended, the memories of rolling dice with their favourite actors and exploring the vast halls of the ExCeL will surely last until the next time the community gathers to celebrate the stories they love.
