Marshall Joins Toy Story 5, Tackles Tech vs. Toys

Melissa Marshall is lending her voice to a new character in "Toy Story 5," a role that brings her into the iconic franchise. She will voice a parent navigating her child's fascination with a new smart device, a plot point that pits traditional toys against burgeoning technology. This marks Marshall's first role in a feature-length animated film, though she has prior voiceover experience.

The film's director, Andrew Stanton, previously collaborated with Marshall on Apple TV's "For All Mankind." Marshall's involvement stemmed from an enthusiastic email to Stanton after becoming a parent herself and experiencing children's media firsthand. She was offered the role nine months after sending the email.

"Toy Story 5" is slated for theatrical release on June 19, over three decades after the original film debuted. The story will pit the beloved characters like Woody and Buzz against a new smart device, Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee. Marshall noted the film's exploration of how technology's pervasive presence can detract from real-life experiences, emphasizing that human imagination will ultimately prevail.

Marshall also discussed her intense experience on the Hulu series "The Other Black Woman," where her character, Agent Nicole Robinson, faced a near-death situation. She detailed the suspense of reading scripts and fearing character death, reflecting on the shocking survival and subsequent destruction of the bunker. The series is preparing for its third season, with Marshall having read early scripts.

Her character, Agent Robinson, is evolving from a rule-bound agent to a more disillusioned figure questioning systemic corruption. Marshall described Robinson's transformation, shedding bureaucracy for a more direct, confrontational approach, particularly in the upcoming third season, where she is expected to become an even more formidable presence.