Dee Bradley Baker, Bad Batch actor, teases that season 2 will be ‘better than ever’

WARNING: This article contains light spoilers for Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 2.

Anyone who has seen — or heard — Dee Bradley Baker at work knows he’s an acting marvel. As a voice actor for multiple clone characters, Star Wars: The Clone WarsHe’s almost a one man band in the spin-off series Star Wars: The Bad BatchHe voices the five main clones as well as a few ancillary ones in this video.

The Bad BatchThe second season of ”, which premiered Wednesday on Disney+, follows the adventures of Clone Force 99, an elite military unit that fled Order 66, which killed most Jedi and created the Galactic Empire. Michelle Ang voices Omega, a young clone, while Batch members Hunter, Tech and Echo (voiced all by Bradley) try to find their place within a rapidly changing galaxy. The new season will see them continuing on missions for Cid.Cheers star Rhea Perlman) while arguing among themselves about whether they should be doing more to fight the emerging Empire or continuing to lie low to protect Omega from Imperial clutches.

Bradley met with EW to discuss season 2, ahead of its launch. Dagobah Dispatch Podcast to discuss what it was like to return Clone Wars Captain Rex and Commander Cody are fan favorites. He also discusses why Crosshair, an estranged Batch member, was his favorite storyline to voice and whether he is up for a guest appearance in a live action. Star Wars show. Listen to the entire interview or read his answers below. Dagobah Dispatch.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. What can we learn about this season? The Bad Batch?

DEE BRADLEY BAKER This season is more enjoyable than ever. It’s interesting to watch Omega come online as a team member and as she lives out her life. She finds her place in the larger context of what’s happening with the Empire’s rise.

It’s fascinating to see the Bad Batch’s plans, their locations, and how they plan to deal with larger forces that are aligned against it. So do you run? Do you find a safe route to continue this or do you take up arms and fight? Are you willing to join the resistance Rex and others are forming? These are huge issues and they are being played out in season 2. They are filled with so much fun and heart-breaking detail. I believe it’s more of the best from season 1.

Lucasfilm Ltd. Tech, Hunter and Omega are featured in ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch.’

Rex was the name you mentioned. You mentioned Rex.

Rex is always there, he’s a rock! Rex is reliable, fair-minded, and even-keeled. He is always part of the solution and persistent in his approach to it. It’s amazing to see a man who has seen it all and has made it through it. He finds the courage to take the necessary steps to get back to the cause and push for the right causes. This character is kind of a bellwether, I believe. He represents the moral decisions on how to live life and that all the Bad Batch, Crosshair included are up against in season 2.

And by the way, after watching through the 14 episodes — the last two I didn’t see yet — but for my money now, what Crosshair is going through and what he endures to me, I think he might be my favorite now.

It’s very interesting. I was going to ask you who your favourite was.

It’s fascinating to see his struggle, his peril, and his journey. Fans will be able to see this man through the “Outpost” episode and all that it sets up. It’s exciting.

Crosshair’s journey was truly fascinating, and I agree. One of the other big surprises — and we just saw this in the trailer — was seeing Cody again. Rex was able to resist the inhibitor chip but Cody wasn’t. This is what I always thought was the tragedy of Cody. It was strange to return to Cody, and examine where he is now after Order 66 and feel the regret.

This Cody episode was a must-see and something fans should see. Even though he wasn’t often highlighted, he was always a fan favorite. Even in the Clone Wars series. Here he is at the center of the drama and where he stands in relation to the side he still belongs to. And it’s a fascinating story, and I’ve got to say, without talking about it too much directly, but it’s a good indicator of a story told in an interesting and innovative way where the most impactful moment of it, you didn’t even see, it wasn’t even spoken. It’s hard to believe that you can learn more about what actually happened after the fact. That’s how Cody’s story plays out. It’s fascinating and compelling, and it’s also kind of heartbreaking.

Lucasfilm Ltd. After the events at Order 66 Commander Cody makes an appearance in ‘The Bad Batch’

Yes, that’s exactly what I think. It was so great to be able to see him again. You have voiced so many clones, and I know that you do them all one by one. Star Wars Celebration was amazing. You were flipping between them. Are you ever tempted to use the wrong voice just because you are moving too fast? Do you ever start off as Hunter, then suddenly realize that Hunter is not the right voice?

Yes, it happens occasionally, but not often. It’s like I know every scene. I get so caught up with the words. Sometimes, though, I do talk Wrecker, when I should be talking Tech. It’s because they speak so differently. Because each one is clearly a different character with an entirely different attitude, this rarely happens. Tech will not say “Boom!” It’s going to be Wrecker. That’s true. There are many other versions of this. So the script itself — even as we burn through it — usually keeps me on the track.

That’s a good thing. Do you ever lose your voice after this? Your ability to switch between the two is amazing. Is it your opinion that at the end the day you need a cup or tea?

If Wrecker is fighting a lot, I may need to add that at the end. We can move on, but if Wrecker is in great pain or suffering, then it may be necessary to alter the order of the recording.

Jesse Grant/Getty Images Dee Bradley Baker at Star Wars Celebration, 2022

Some of your Clone Wars Compatriots have appeared in live-action roles. I’m aware Matt Lanter Was in The Mandalorian. Are you interested in appearing on any of the live-action TV shows?

I don’t know of any plan. It’s possible that it might happen one day. But it’s interesting, my career is one of invisibility, where my focus is on what I create in the acting performance that I create, but it’s not attached to me being visibly present or recognized or acknowledged. It’s okay with me. Although it is strange for me as a voice actor, I believe my job is to be invisible. I will disappear if I’m doing my job correctly. That’s totally fine with me. It would be great to perform on camera. However, on camera you must be present in person, memorize lines, and sit in the trailer. As a voice actor, it’s a privilege. It’s a very attractive lifestyle. It’s a great place to be.

Being a freelancer for three years, it’s a joy to be able to share that experience.

I am a voice actor who is comfortable with anonymity and invisibility. People may say hello to me, or maybe they meet me at a convention. I’m okay, however. I am happy with the amazing shows I have the opportunity to work on and the challenge of acting as characters I would not be able to do if I was on camera. If it was on camera, I would be the only character. So, I’m happy.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

To hear more from Dee Bradley Baker, check out his full interview on the latest episode of EW’s Dagobah DispatchThere you can also hear the likes. Diego Luna, Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Pedro PascalFind out more.

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