Disney took a massive gamble back in 2015. How do you follow up on The Lion King, a movie that basically defines childhood for two different generations? You don't just remake it—though they did that too—you expand the world. When The Lion Guard premiered, fans were skeptical. But honestly, the secret sauce wasn't just the catchy "Sisi Ni Sawa" songs or the return to the Pride Lands. It was the cast of The Lion Guard.
They didn't just hire random voice actors to fill space. They pulled in a mix of Hollywood heavyweights, Broadway stars, and actual teenagers to give the show some soul. It’s rare to see a spin-off series maintain that level of vocal talent over three seasons, yet Disney managed to keep the continuity tight while introducing voices that felt like they had always belonged in Mufasa's kingdom.
The Core Five: Finding Kion and His Team
At the center of everything is Kion. He’s Simba’s second-born, the one who didn't get the crown but got the "Roar of the Elders" instead. Max Charles voiced Kion for the entirety of the run. You might recognize Max from The Amazing Spider-Man (he played young Peter Parker) or Mr. Peabody & Sherman. He brought a certain "duty-bound but still a kid" energy to Kion that made the character relatable. If Kion had sounded too much like a perfect little soldier, the show would’ve been boring. Charles gave him a voice that cracked under pressure, literally and figuratively.
Then you have Bunga. Love him or hate him, the honey badger is the heart of the chaos. Joshua Rush, who later made history on Disney Channel's Andi Mack, voiced Bunga. It’s a high-energy, raspy performance that requires a lot of lung capacity. Bunga’s catchphrase "Zuka Zama" became a household staple for parents of toddlers everywhere, mostly because Rush delivered it with such unbridled, annoying-in-a-good-way enthusiasm.
The rest of the core cast of The Lion Guard rounded out the "Lion Guard" team with distinct archetypes. Diamond White played Fuli, the cheetah. White has a background in The X Factor and Empire, and she brought a cool, independent "I don't need this team but I'm here anyway" vibe to the fastest member. Atticus Shaffer—yes, Brick from The Middle—voiced Ono the egret. Shaffer’s unique cadence was perfect for a bird who is basically the team’s drone and intellectual. Finally, Dusan Brown voiced Beshte the hippo. Brown played the "strongest" member with a softness that subverted the trope of the "big dumb guy." Beshte was actually the most empathetic character on the show.
Bringing Back the Legends
One thing that would’ve killed the show’s credibility was replacing the original movie actors with cheap sound-alikes. Disney knew this. They brought back the heavy hitters.
Rob Lowe took over as Simba, which was a pivot from Matthew Broderick, but it worked. Lowe’s Simba is a "Dad" in every sense of the word—protective, slightly stressed, and a bit overbearing. But the real magic happened with the supporting cast. Ernie Sabella returned as Pumbaa. Think about that for a second. Sabella has been voicing that warthog since 1994. Having his actual voice there provided a tether to the original film that made the new series feel "official."
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And we have to talk about the villains. The cast of The Lion Guard went hard on the antagonists. David Oyelowo? The man who played Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma? He voiced the spirit of Scar. When Scar appeared in the flames of the volcano, Oyelowo brought a Shakespearean gravity to the role that was genuinely terrifying for a TV-Y7 show. He didn't try to mimic Jeremy Irons; he made the role his own by being colder and more calculated.
A Mix of New and Familiar Voices
The Pride Lands expanded significantly during the "Battle for the Pride Lands" and the "Journey to the Tree of Life" arcs. We saw Blair Underwood come in as Makuu the crocodile. We saw Christian Slater as Ushari the cobra. Even Ana Gasteyer and Gabrielle Union popped up in recurring roles. It felt like every week, a new recognizable voice was joining the fray.
The casting of the hyenas was particularly clever. Instead of just doing "Banzai and Shenzi 2.0," they introduced Janja, voiced by Andrew Kishino. Janja was a more nuanced villain—a teenager trying to prove himself in a harsh world. Kishino’s performance had a grit to it that separated the Guard’s enemies from the more slapstick villains of the past.
Why Voice Acting Matters in Animation Continuity
People often overlook voice acting as "just talking into a mic." It’s not. In The Lion Guard, the actors had to record most of their lines in isolation, yet the chemistry feels real. When Kion and Rani (voiced by Erika-Shaye Gair) interact in Season 3, you can feel the shift in tone. The show matured as the actors did.
By the time the series reached its finale, "Return to the Pride Lands," the cast of The Lion Guard had grown up. Max Charles’ voice had noticeably dropped an octave. This actually worked in the show’s favor, reflecting Kion’s transition from a young cub to a leader of his own kingdom.
It’s also worth mentioning the musical aspect. A huge chunk of the cast came from musical theater backgrounds. Kevin Schon (Timon) and Diamond White carried a lot of the vocal heavy lifting. The songs in this show weren't just filler; they were narrative drivers, and having a cast that could actually sing—not just "actor sing"—elevated the entire production to something that felt closer to the Broadway musical than a standard Saturday morning cartoon.
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The Overlooked Heroes of the Recording Studio
Beyond the big names, the "additional voices" and guest stars kept the world feeling huge. You had Landry Bender, Sarah Hyland, and even Jason Marsden (reprising his role as Kovu from Simba's Pride). That’s the kind of fan service that actually matters. When Marsden returned as Kovu, it bridged the gap between the direct-to-video sequels and the new series, creating a unified Lion King timeline.
A lot of the credit goes to the voice director, Sam Riegel. Riegel is a legend in the voice acting world (you might know him from Critical Role). He managed to balance the high-stakes drama of the Scar arc with the silliness of a "Bunga and Timon" subplot without the show feeling disjointed.
Factual Breakdown of the Primary Cast
If you're looking for a quick reference of the main players who made the Pride Lands come to life, here is the breakdown of the essential team and their legacy roles:
- Kion: Max Charles (The lead and leader of the Guard)
- Bunga: Joshua Rush (The brave, honey badger best friend)
- Fuli: Diamond White (The fast and fierce cheetah)
- Beshte: Dusan Brown (The muscle with a heart of gold)
- Ono: Atticus Shaffer (The eyes in the sky)
- Simba: Rob Lowe (Taking over the mantle of the King)
- Nala: Gabrielle Union (Bringing a regal strength to the Queen)
- Kiara: Eden Riegel (Simba’s daughter and future Queen)
- Scar: David Oyelowo (The fiery return of the greatest villain)
- Rafiki: Khary Payton (Bringing a new energy to the wise shaman)
- Timon & Pumbaa: Kevin Schon and Ernie Sabella (The iconic duo)
What the Cast Taught Us About the Lion King Legacy
The cast of The Lion Guard proved that you can't just coast on a brand name. You need people who care about the characters. When you listen to interviews with Max Charles or Joshua Rush, they talk about these characters with a lot of respect. They knew they were part of a legacy that started in 1994.
The show tackled some surprisingly heavy themes: grief, the burden of leadership, and even the "darkness" within oneself. Oyelowo’s Scar wasn't just a cartoon bad guy; he represented the temptation of power. Charles’ Kion struggled with his temper and the fear that he would end up like his great-uncle. These aren't easy things to convey through voice alone, but the cast nailed it.
It's also interesting to see where the cast went after the show ended in 2019. Many moved on to major live-action roles or became staples in the voice-over industry. The show acted as a sort of "boot camp" for young talent, teaching them how to carry a franchise on their shoulders.
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Assessing the Impact on the Franchise
Looking back, The Lion Guard is probably the most successful expansion of the Lion King universe. It lasted 74 episodes. It introduced a whole new generation to the "Circle of Life" philosophy. And it did so by respecting the source material while being brave enough to add new voices to the choir.
The casting was diverse, talented, and—most importantly—consistent. There were no weird mid-season voice swaps that pulled you out of the story. Everything felt deliberate. From the way the hyenas laughed to the way the lions roared, the soundscape of the show was top-tier.
If you’re revisiting the series or introducing it to a kid for the first time, pay attention to the nuances in the performances. Notice how Ono’s voice changes when he loses his sight and has to find a new purpose. Listen to the genuine warmth in Beshte’s greetings. That’s the mark of a cast that isn't just "doing a job," but is actually building a world.
Taking Action: How to Explore the Cast Further
If you're a fan of the vocal performances in this show, there are a few things you should do to really appreciate the craft:
- Check out "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar": This was the pilot movie. It’s the best place to hear the cast establish their characters before the episodic grind began.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Specifically, listen to "Sisi Ni Sawa." The vocal chemistry between Diamond White and Andrew Kishino is incredible and shows off their range better than any dialogue scene.
- Follow the Actors: Many members of the cast of The Lion Guard, like Khary Payton (who also voices Cyborg in Teen Titans and played Ezekiel in The Walking Dead), are active in the convention circuit. They often share behind-the-scenes stories about their time in the Pride Lands.
- Compare the Vets: Listen to Ernie Sabella in the 1994 film and then in the 2019 series finale. It’s a masterclass in character consistency over a quarter-century.
The Pride Lands are huge, but it's the voices within them that make the world feel like home. Whether it's the regal tones of a king or the frantic chirping of an egret, these actors brought a level of humanity to a world of animals that few other shows have ever matched.