Lawyer to Netflix Voiceover Star: A Family Affair

Emily McGonagle, formerly a legal professional, has successfully transitioned into the world of voiceover work from her home in Colchester. She made the significant career change in 2019, seeking a more flexible schedule to accommodate her children after experiencing the demanding hours of her legal career, which often required her to work until 3:00 AM and commute to Canary Wharf.

Her pivot led her to voice eight distinct characters for the children's television series "Spike." This animated show, which premiered on Netflix on October 12th, quickly ascended to become the number one children's program on the platform in the UK. The series originated from a Lithuanian company as a YouTube animation titled "Fire Spike!," featuring a dragon and his friends.

McGonagle joined the project when the YouTube channel had fewer than 1,000 subscribers. Now, the show boasts 1.25 million subscribers and achieved global recognition, ranking as the seventh most-watched Netflix show worldwide in its debut week. McGonagle's interest in voice acting was sparked while watching children's shows with her own toddlers, though she initially dismissed the idea due to a lack of acting background.

She equipped her home with professional audio gear and, after months of auditions, secured her first voiceover gig with Google. This was followed by commercials and participation in acting groups. The opportunity for "Spike" arose three years ago, fulfilling a dream she once held while watching shows like "Peppa Pig" with her children.