If you grew up with the gentle, xylophone-heavy theme song of Max and Ruby, you probably remember Ruby as the slightly bossy but well-meaning older sister. She was the one constantly trying to keep her chaotic younger brother, Max, from ruining her tea parties or Bunny Scout meetings. But here is the thing: the world of East Bunnyhop is a lot weirder than it looks on the surface. Honestly, looking back at the Max and Ruby cast is like peeling an onion. There are layers of voice acting history that range from legendary anime stars to literal horror icons.
It’s kinda wild.
Most people don’t realize that the voice of Ruby changed multiple times across the show’s seven-season run. Even more surprising? The person who voiced Ruby in the early 2000s went on to play one of the most terrifying villains in television history. We’re talking skin-mask-wearing, whisper-talking terror.
The Walking Dead Connection: Samantha Morton as Ruby
Let’s get the big one out of the way. If you’ve ever watched The Walking Dead, you know Alpha. She was the leader of the Whisperers, a cold-blooded killer who wore the faces of the dead. Now, imagine that same person voicing a three-foot-tall cartoon rabbit.
It’s true. Samantha Morton voiced Ruby during the first two seasons.
Morton is a powerhouse actor with two Academy Award nominations under her belt for films like Sweet and Lowdown and In America. It’s a bit of a trip to think about her recording lines about "Ruby’s Beauty Shop" or "Max’s Chocolate Chicken" before heading off to do gritty, high-stakes dramas. She brought a specific, grounded warmth to the role that defined those early years of the show.
But as the show evolved, so did the cast.
The Changing Voices of Ruby
After Morton moved on, the mantle of Ruby was picked up by other talented Canadian voice actors.
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- Katie Griffin: You might recognize her voice from... well, everything. She’s famous for playing Raye Hino (Sailor Mars) in the original English dub of Sailor Moon. She voiced Ruby for a stretch in the early seasons alongside her work as Alex in Totally Spies!.
- Rebecca Peters: She took over for a significant chunk of the middle seasons (Seasons 3 through 5). If you watched the show during its peak Nick Jr. rotation in the late 2000s, this is likely the Ruby you remember.
- Lana Carillo: By the time the show reached its final seasons (6 and 7), Carillo stepped into the role. This era was distinct because it was when the show underwent its most controversial change.
Who Was the Voice of Max?
Max was a bunny of few words. For years, his vocabulary consisted of maybe one or two words per episode. "Strawberry." "Dragon." "Fire engine." Because he didn't talk much, the voice acting had to be all in the delivery—that specific, mischievous grunt was iconic.
Billy Rosemberg was the original voice of Max for the first three seasons. He managed to make a character with almost no dialogue feel incredibly expressive.
As the character aged up, the Max and Ruby cast needed to reflect that. Eventually, Max started speaking in full sentences (which was a huge shock to long-time viewers). Actors like Tyler Stevenson and Gavin MacIver-Wright took over the role as Max transitioned from a toddler to a preschooler.
The Mystery of the Missing Parents
For five seasons, Max and Ruby lived alone. They had a Grandma who lived nearby, but their parents were nowhere to be found. Fans spent over a decade coming up with dark theories. Were they dead? Were they in bunny jail?
In 2016, the show finally introduced Mr. and Mrs. Bunny.
The voice cast expanded to include Paul Bates as Dad and Carolyn Larson as Mom. While it answered the long-standing question of where the parents were, it also fundamentally changed the vibe of the show. Some fans loved the closure; others felt it ruined the "kids-in-charge" fantasy that Rosemary Wells (the creator) originally intended.
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Wells actually once explained that the parents were missing because she wanted to show how children resolve conflicts on their own. It wasn't about neglect; it was about empowerment.
Supporting Cast and Legends
The town of East Bunnyhop was filled with recurring characters that helped flesh out the world.
- Grandma: Voiced by Kay Hawtrey. She was the ultimate "chill" grandparent who always took Max’s side, much to Ruby’s frustration.
- Louise: Ruby’s best friend was voiced by Julie Lemieux. Lemieux is a veteran of Canadian animation, appearing in shows like Arthur and Cyberchase.
- Roger Piazza: Interestingly, in his early appearances, Roger was voiced by Kenan Thompson. Yes, the Saturday Night Live legend! He eventually handed the role off to Jo Vannicola.
Why the Cast Matters Today
The Max and Ruby cast is a perfect example of the "hidden" talent in children's television. You have Oscar nominees, SNL stars, and anime legends all working together to create something that feels simple but is actually quite complex.
The show wrapped its original run years ago, but it stays relevant through memes and nostalgia. Whether it’s people joking about Ruby’s "parentification" or being stunned by the Samantha Morton connection, the show has a legacy that far outweighs its simple premise.
If you’re looking to revisit the series, pay attention to the credits. You’ll find a who’s-who of voice acting royalty.
What to do next
Check out the early episodes on streaming platforms to hear Samantha Morton’s performance. Compare it to the later seasons where Max starts talking in full sentences—it's a completely different show. You can also look up the original Rosemary Wells books to see how the character designs changed when they were adapted for the screen.