Characters Who Must Be In The Mass Effect TV Series

Key Takeaways

• Captain David Anderson could play a significant mentoring role for Shepard in the Mass Effect TV series.
• Including secondary characters like Khalisah Al-Jilani can add depth to the plot by challenging Shepard’s decisions and actions.
• Amazon should consider characters like Ashley Williams for their unique perspectives and contributions to the series’ narrative.

Amazon has confirmed the development of a live-action TV series based on Mass Effect, bringing to the screen the vast and complex science fiction universe created by BioWare. Set in a diverse galaxy, it’s still unknown what the series’ narrative will be. But going by the games, it’s certain to feature intergalactic conflicts, advanced technologies, and tensions between different alien species.

If the producers aim for a live-action adaptation of Mass Effect that stays true to the plot of the games, certain characters must appear in the series. Whether through their complex stories or their popularity among fans, this is the perfect opportunity for Amazon to adapt these faces into a new work.

10 Captain David Anderson

A Mentor For Shepard’s Decisions

Already an interesting character in the games, Captain David Anderson could gain even more prominence in the Mass Effect TV series, serving even more as a mentor and support figure for Shepard as he takes his first steps as the protagonist. In the games, he exerts a direct influence on many factors that shape the main character’s career.

David Anderson is fundamental for introducing one of the main elements of the Mass Effect universe: the SSV Normandy, the ship that accompanies Shepard and the crew during the video game trilogy. Even though it’s not a character per se, the spaceship is part of the franchise’s essence and also deserves an introduction worthy of its iconic status.

9 Khalisah Al-Jilani

A Journalist Who Bothers Shepard

For any concept of a Mass Effect series, the main characters are almost guaranteed a spot in the adaptation. However, some secondary faces can also be important to the plot, like Khalisah Al-Jilani. A reporter for Westerlund News, her role in the game is often to irritate Shepard with difficult questions.

Al-Jilani also exposes the media and public side of the decisions players make during some missions, allowing Shepard’s actions to have repercussions throughout society. She always seeks to oppose and question certain decisions, and various dialogues between her and the game’s protagonist can lead to more intense scenes.

8 Ashley Williams

An Essential Human For The Series’ Setting

Ashley Williams offers a unique perspective on the various challenges that humans in the Mass Effect universe need to overcome amid galactic diversity. Furthermore, the character has interesting ancestry, as her grandfather was the first human to surrender to the Turians.

Because of this, Ashley is presented to players as someone who is suspicious of other alien species. But as the plot progresses, she goes through a development arc that adds new details to the narrative. She is also essential to the storyline, with her inclusion being fundamental to some events in the Mass Effect series.

7 Tali’zorah Nar Rayya

One of the Franchise’s Most Complex Characters

Among the most intriguing characters introduced in Mass Effect, Tali stands out due to the aura of mystery and emotional depth that her story carries. She belongs to the Quarian species, who are exiled and avoid contact with other species as much as possible because they have a very vulnerable immune system.

Tali’Zorah is introduced with an interesting mission: to find something of value and bring it back to the fleet, as an important rite of passage to secure a place in the community. She is also part of the plot by discovering some recordings that compromise Saren — who could be one of the villains of the TV series, depending on the path the producers take.

6 Urdnot Wrex

A Character With A Unique Visual In Mass Effect

In part due to his unique and well-crafted design, Wrex is one of the most remarkable characters in Mass Effect. He is a Krogan warrior who carries a disease called the Genophage. It’s a biological curse that affects the Krogan people, limiting the species’ reproduction and bringing great suffering to this alien race.

Although it would be complicated for the series to adapt all the plots and details that the games have, the Genophage should be a central theme, as this tragic fate shapes the actions and many dilemmas faced by the main character. This element, if well-developed, could highlight the unique aspects of the Mass Effect universe in the series, setting it apart from others.

5 Garrus Vakarian

An Excellent Way To Show More Of The Intergalactic Universe

As a former Citadel Security investigator, Garrus is an essential character for the Mass Effect live-action series if the producers choose to adapt the games’ events. He is one of the most interesting companions in the franchise, presenting not only charisma, but also a certain idealism about the limits that should be crossed for a greater good.

His evolution is also notable. Garrus begins the story frustrated with the system and the corruption of the powerful, but alongside Shepard, he finds a new way to fight for justice. The character’s dry humor is another point that sets him apart from the others, solidifying him as one of the most memorable in the series.

4 Liara T’Soni

An Essential Ally Of Shepard

Having a fundamental role in explaining some concepts of the Mass Effect universe, Liara T’Soni can have equal importance in Amazon’s Mass Effect series for several reasons. One of these is that she has a deep knowledge of ancient civilizations and the power of the Reapers, who are the central threat of the trilogy.

Including Liara in the TV show, then, is important to capture the essence of the franchise and, at the same time, provide the audience with a complex and charismatic character. It is also worth mentioning that she is one of the possible romance options for Shepard, so her relationship with the protagonist could take a number of possible paths in the series.

3 The Illusive Man

A Mysterious But Important Character For The Story

Although he doesn’t have a major role in the first Mass Effect, he is a key piece in the next two chapters. The Illusive Man can gain even more relevance in the plot if the producers introduce him as a character in the series. He can be portrayed the same way as in the games, with an enigmatic presence that creates mystery around his true intentions.

In the games, The Illusive Man is the leader of Cerberus and represents, with some depth, a darker side of humanity. He is willing to risk anything as long as it ensures the future of humans. From the beginning, it would be possible not only to enrich the development of some characters but also to prepare the ground for deeper evolution in the continuation.

2 Commander Shepard

The Protagonist Of The Franchise

Commander Shepard has been the face of the Mass Effect franchise since its launch, being the protagonist of the first three games. Although the developers tried to move away from him in Andromeda, the character’s charisma still prevails. This occurs because, despite being controlled by players, he still maintains a captivating and engaging personality.

It is possible to define background aspects that enable new dialogues with other characters, and as the story progresses and new decisions are made, Shepard’s personality changes. Therefore, despite being an essential character to include in the Mass Effect series, the developers will face the challenge of adapting a complex protagonist for television.

1 Saren Arterius

The Great Antagonist Of The First Season

Much of the Mass Effect franchise’s success is due to the incredible characters, especially the villains. Saren Arterius, Shepard’s first antagonist in BioWare’s franchise, exemplifies this. In addition to the character’s incredible visuals and intimidating presence, he is also important to the script and several other pillars of the universe.

He is a true challenge to be overcome during the first game by Commander Shepard. However, Saren is there to show that, despite being dangerous, the Reapers, the faction he has allied with, represent an even greater danger. It is also worth mentioning that the villain contrasts greatly with the protagonist of the games, making him a perfect character to be in the Mass Effect live-action series.