More and more risks are being taken with absurdist comedies like Hulu’s Solar Opposites. Animated series are able to prolong their storytelling for several decades in some cases, but it’s exciting to see the ways in which newer animated programs like Solar Opposites push boundaries and establish new paradigms.
A lot of Solar Opposites’ success is owed to its unpredictable storytelling that never squanders its extraterrestrial cast of characters, but there are frequently entertaining vocal performances on display that help make everyone feel distinct. There are a lot of familiar voices that make up the cast of Solar Opposites, so here’s a helpful breakdown of who plays who to help provide those recognizable vocal tones with some much-needed closure.
10 Korvo: Justin Roiland’s Distinct Vocal Talents Have Defined Rick And Morty And Adventure Time
The many heightened hijinks that occur in Solar Opposites are often being reined in by Korvo, the more responsible and focused adult in the family. Korvo’s rampant disdain is brought to life by Justin Roiland, who is also creatively involved with the series. Roiland has a very erratic and improvisational style to his line delivery that’s helped define his characters on Rick and Morty, where he voices the two titular leads, as well as many other background figures. Audiences may also recognize Roiland’s distinct speech patterns and heightened performance in his work as the Earl of Lemongrab in Adventure Time.
9 Terry: Thomas Middleditch Plays Both Strange And Expendable In Silicon Valley And The Final Girls
Korvo is often the Shlorpian in Solar Opposites who has to lay down the law, while Terry is considerably more cavalier and is content to bask in Earth’s luxuries. Terry can often feel like another child and this becomes more palpable thanks to Thomas Middleditch’s performance.
Middleditch makes sure that Terry is frantic and shrill when Korvo is more earnest and resolved. Middleditch does more live-action acting than voice work, such as starring as the main character, Richard Hendricks, in HBO’s Silicon Valley or his entertaining turn as Duncan in the meta horror comedy The Final Girls.
8 Yumyulack: Sean Giambrone Can Be Seen As A Lead In The Goldbergs And Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous
Each Shlorpian member of the Solar Opposites family are child-like to some degree regarding their obliviousness towards Earth’s many customs, but the actual Shlorpian children, Yumyulack and Jesse, represent a fascinating perspective. Yumyulack is decidedly confident, even when he shouldn’t be, and Sean Giambrone perfectly encapsulates the character’s joy and wonder towards Earth.
Sean Giambrone can prominently be seen as Adam Goldberg in ABC’s The Goldbergs, but he’s also started to have an impressive voice acting career with roles like Richardson in Big Hero 6: The Series and Ben Pincus in Netflix’s Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous.
7 Jesse: Mary Mack’s Voice Brings Life In Golan The Insatiable And Trover Saves The Universe
Each Shlorpian in the Solar Opposites family does an effective job at fulfilling sitcom family stereotypes, but also playfully subverting them. Jesse is a constant ball of energy and excitement, which is affectionately captured by Mary Mack’s performance. Mary Mack is someone with a perfect voice for animation and she’s been able to play several Jesse-like individuals with great success. Mary Mack was previously the voice of Dylan Beekler in one of the versions of odd animated comedy, Golan the Insatiable, while also playing the part of Doopy Dooper in Justin Roiland’s VR video game, Trover Saves the Universe.
6 Tim: Andy Daly Is A Hilarious Comedian And Actor And Was Forrest MacNeil In Review
The routine Shlorpian antics in Solar Opposites is very entertaining, but for many audiences, it’s the series’ story-within-a-story that revolves around the shrunken society in Yumyulack’s Wall that’s the real highlight. Tim is a pivotal figure in this shrunken society’s conflict. Andy Daly is the perfect sort of everyman casting for Tim, which Daly is able to channel into his exceptional comedy and character work. Andy Daly is a regular voice on American Dad, as well as Bob’s Burgers and Harley Quinn, but his live-action work, like Review with Forrest MacNeil and Comedy Bang! Bang! is just as strong.
5 Cherie: Christina Hendricks Shows Off Her Range Across Mad Mad And Good Girls
Solar Opposites has found real success with the nature of their insular Wall storyline. The increased focus on this material in the show’s second season reflects an understanding of how effective this storytelling has been with audiences. Part of the fun with this melodramatic and heightened material is Solar Opposites’ use of A-list talent for these absurdist shrunken characters.
Cherie becomes crucial in the uprising that occurs within this microcosm of chaos. Cherie’s conviction is effectively sold by Christina Hendricks, who audiences know best as Joan Holloway in AMC’s critical hit Mad Men and Beth Boland on Good Girls.
4 Aisha: Tiffany Haddish Has Become A Revelation Through Girls Trip And Tuca & Bertie
The cast of Solar Opposites can be somewhat insular due to their extraterrestrial nature, but another presence that the Shlorpians can frequently lean on is Aisha, the sassy artificial intelligence system that’s installed on their ship. Tiffany Haddish’s casting as Aisha guarantees that she doesn’t sound like some lifeless form of A.I. and the role takes advantage of Haddish’s energy. Haddish is also the voice of Tuca in Tuca & Bertie as well as Kitty in Tubi’s upcoming original animated Freak Brothers series. Her breakout role as Dina in Girls Trip still gets her a lot of attention.
3 Principal Cooke: Rob Schrab’s Perfect Rage Has Worked Well In Rick And Morty And Uncle Grandpa
Rob Schrab is a brilliant figure who’s not primarily an actor by trade. Schrab has worked closely with Dan Harmon for decades and been a vital creative force on series like Community, The Sarah Silverman Program, and most recently, Rick and Morty.
Schrab has such a recognizable voice that sells frustration and rage so well, which has allowed him to voice some very heated characters, like Principal Cooke in Solar Opposites. Schrab’s schtick also shows up in Rick and Morty and has found a home in Uncle Grandpa, as the Evil Wizard.
2 The Duke: Alfred Molina Is A Revered Actor Who’s Played Everything From Doc Ock To Diego Rivera
Solar Opposites has hit some surprisingly emotional storytelling with its self-contained Wall narrative. The powerful Duke turns into one of the most compelling and layered characters in the entire series. The Duke’s role evolves between seasons and all of this character work excels because of Alfred Molina’s thoughtful performance in the role.
Alfred Molina is brilliant in both dramas and comedies. He’s played Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man 2 and Diego Rivera in the delicate biopic, Frida. Molina is also the voice of Mr. Freeze in the new Harley Quinn series, so his voice acting experience is slowly expanding.
1 Ms Frankie: Kari Wahlgren Has Played Hundreds Of Animated Legends Like Zatanna And Tigress
Solar Opposites has found a healthy balance with its school-set material and is careful to not allow it to dominate the series. Most of the storylines that look at Yumyulack and Jesse’s struggles in public education boil down to interventions from Principal Cooke and Ms. Frankie, who is voiced by Kari Wahlgren.
Wahlgreen has established an illustrious voice acting career where she’s played hundreds of different animated characters. Walgren’s work as Tigress in the Kung fu Panda series, Zatanna in DC Super Hero Girls, Jessica in Rick and Morty, and Haruko Haruhara in FLCL are some of her most prominent performances.
About The Author
