As development of Mass Effect 5 continues, there's one important question we're all asking: Will the cast include another Krogan as cool as Wrex? The second, of course, is will Commander Shepard make a return. Jennifer Hale, the beloved voice of the female Shepard, is keen to reprise the role. "I have no idea," Hale tells the Behind the Voice podcast about whether Shepherd is lined up for the next game. "This is what I say to fans: If you want Shepard in the next game, please email them and tell them, because maybe they'll respond to that." She reiterates that she doesn't know anything about a prospective Shepard comeback, but she says "I would love it." A fifth mainline Mass Effect game was teased back at the 2020 The Game Awards, though the announcement was really just that, with no further details provided. Commander Shephard actor would love to return in Mass Effect 5 to play "anyone," not just FemShep – but BioWare hasn't picked up the phone OG Mass Effect Shephard actors would be there "with bells on" if BioWare brought them back for Mass Effect 5 Dragon Age's The Inquisitor actor knows the character is "probably not coming back," but sees a world where BioWare brings back all protagonists "Avengers Assemble-style" BioWare is apparently still handling development on the series, but the current status of Mass Effect 5 or anything else in development there is unknown. Between layoffs and a muted response to Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the studio's been going through a rough patch, and EA's recent buyout announcement has raised questions over long-term plans for any of the publisher’s subsidiaries. Hale's been on the record repeatedly about her interest in coming back to the franchise. In October 2025, she mentioned it'd be a short conversation, and the following December, she doubled-down, alongside Mark Meer, the voice of male Shepard, who's just as keen to become the commander again. Whether this will yield anything, or if Shepard is even involved in the game to begin with, remains to be seen. Hale's advice isn't the worst though: If you want more Mass Effect, you know who to ask (respectfully). Mass Effect 5 devs should use Dragon Age: The Veilguard as a "scapegoat" so they can "get what they need" from EA, says former BioWare exec.