Back in 2003, MTV did something weird. It wasn't just the cel-shaded CGI that looked like a video game intro from the future. It was the vibe. Darker, moodier, and honestly, a bit more "adult" than any Spidey show we’d seen before. But what really made it stick? The voices. The cast of Spider Man the New Animated Series wasn’t your typical group of Saturday morning cartoon veterans. They were actual stars, and the way they played these characters changed how a whole generation viewed Peter Parker’s college years.
Neil Patrick Harris: The Spidey Before the Suits
Before he was Barney Stinson or hosting the Tonys, Neil Patrick Harris was the voice of Peter Parker. It’s kinda funny looking back. Now, we think of NPH as this high-energy, theatrical presence. But in this show? He was perfect. He captured that specific 2000s Peter Parker—smart, a little bit of an outcast, but with a dry, biting wit that felt different from the 90s version.
His Spider-Man wasn't just cracking jokes; he sounded genuinely stressed. Dealing with ESU classes and crazy villains while trying to keep his friends from finding out he's the "wall-crawler" came through in his performance. Harris actually returned to the role later in the Shattered Dimensions video game, which shows just how much fans loved his take.
The Core Trio at ESU
If Peter was the soul, his best friends were the friction. This show was loosely tied to the Sam Raimi movies, so it focused heavily on the dynamic between Peter, Harry, and MJ.
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- Lisa Loeb as Mary Jane Watson: Yeah, the "Stay (I Missed You)" singer. Her MJ wasn't the typical damsel. Loeb gave her this soulful, slightly tired quality that fit the show's gritty aesthetic. Interestingly, her hair was short in the show because the 2003 CGI tech struggled with rendering long, flowing hair.
- Ian Ziering as Harry Osborn: Fresh off Beverly Hills, 90210, Ziering played a Harry who was constantly living in the shadow of his dead father. He was rich, impulsive, and hated Spider-Man with a passion. It made for some incredibly tense scenes in their shared apartment.
- Angelle Brooks as Indy Daimonji: This was a character created specifically for the show. Indira "Indy" Daimonji was a journalism student who actually worked with Peter at the Empire State University TV station. She was a legitimate romantic rival for MJ, which added a layer of drama you don't usually see in Peter's life.
A Guest List That Was Genuinely Insane
What really separates the cast of Spider Man the New Animated Series from other shows is the sheer number of celebrities who popped in for an episode or two. MTV used their clout to get people you would never expect in a superhero cartoon.
You had Rob Zombie playing Dr. Curt Connors (The Lizard). Let that sink in. The guy who directed House of 1000 Corpses was the voice of a tragic scientist turning into a giant reptile. It worked surprisingly well. Then there was Michael Clarke Duncan, who literally played the Kingpin in the Ben Affleck Daredevil movie, showing up to voice the exact same character here.
The list goes on. Eve played Talon. Gina Gershon was Shikata. Even Kathy Griffin and Jeremy Piven showed up as villains (The Twins). It felt like MTV was just calling every cool person in Hollywood and asking them if they wanted to be in a Spider-Man cartoon for a week.
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Why the Voice Acting Still Holds Up
The thing about this show is that it wasn't trying to be "for kids." The dialogue was punchy. The relationships were messy. People actually died. Because the voice actors weren't doing "cartoon voices," the stakes felt higher.
When Harry confronts Peter about his father’s death, or when Peter has to choose between his responsibility and his personal life, the performances carry real weight. It’s why fans are still talking about this show over twenty years later. It didn't treat the audience like they couldn't handle complex emotions.
The Missing Links and Cameos
- Keith Carradine took on the mantle of J. Jonah Jameson. He didn't try to copy JK Simmons; he did his own thing, and it was great.
- Edward Asner played Officer Barr. Fun fact: Asner also voiced J. Jonah Jameson in the 1994 animated series. Talk about a career shift.
- James Marsters (Spike from Buffy) showed up as Sergei, a member of Kraven’s crew.
What You Should Do Next
If you haven't seen the show in a while, it's worth a rewatch just to hear how the cast of Spider Man the New Animated Series handles the material. It’s available on various streaming platforms (though it tends to bounce around).
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Check out the episode "The Party" to hear Ethan Embry’s take on Electro. It’s one of the best villain origin stories in animation. Also, pay attention to the music—the techno-heavy score by John Digweed fits the voice cast’s "cool" vibe perfectly. Honestly, just sit back and appreciate a time when Spider-Man was a bit more experimental.
You should look into the "Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions" game if you want more of NPH's voice work as Peter. It's the perfect spiritual successor to his time on the MTV show. Or, if you're a completionist, find the DVD sets; the commentaries with the cast and creators give a lot of insight into why the show was so unique for its time.
Note on Accuracy: While the show was intended to be a loose sequel to the 2002 Spider-Man film, the continuity was eventually disregarded by Spider-Man 2. Regardless, the cast remains one of the most star-studded in Marvel animation history.