Kevin McNally on 'Wingfeather Saga' Season 3, Making Podo Unlike Gibbs, and the Magic of Building Iconic Characters

Kevin McNally Returns to Fantasy with 'Wingfeather Saga' Season 3

Fresh off the success of his iconic turn as Mr. Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Kevin McNally is diving headfirst into another fantastical world. The veteran actor now voices Podo Helmer in The Wingfeather Saga, the wildly popular animated series based on Andrew Peterson's best-selling novels. Season 3 (titled The Ice Prairies) is currently streaming on Angel, and fans are raving about the family-centric adventure.

McNally recently sat down with us to talk about the new season, the joy of playing a retired pirate turned protective grandfather, and how he deliberately distanced Podo from his most famous seafaring role.

A Family Affair: Protecting the Igibys from Supernatural Threats

In Season 3, the Igiby family is scattered across the treacherous Ice Prairies after escaping the Fangs of Dang. Nia Igiby, alongside her father Podo, works tirelessly to reunite her children. For McNally, the emotional stakes are what drew him to the project.

“Well, the hope is that we’ll get through it all,” McNally tells us. “And the caution is, I want to look after my family. It’s very family-oriented.” He adds, “We’re sort of in the middle of recording Season 4 now. So there’s even more great stuff to come.” The actor is clearly invested in the story’s trajectory and the character’s growth.

Distancing Podo from Gibbs: A Conscious Creative Choice

Playing a former pirate in a fantasy world might seem like typecasting, but McNally was determined to make Podo his own. “I explicitly told the team that I wanted Podo to be different from Gibbs as much as possible,” he explains. “In the Wingfeather world, it’s a fantasy world. I don’t fight demons in Pirates of the Caribbean, but I do get to fight a few in this.”

This supernatural element, combined with the heavy emphasis on family protection, provides ample creative space for McNally to reinvent himself. “Podo is trying to help protect the family from supernatural powers, so that’s enough of a difference for me to be able to go, ‘Very good. I’m ready to do this.'”

From the Black Pearl to the Ice Prairies: McNally’s Career in Context

Kevin McNally has been a staple of British and international cinema for decades. While Gibbs remains his most recognizable role—part of a franchise that grossed over $4.5 billion globally—his resume includes acclaimed performances in Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, and The Crown. With The Wingfeather Saga, he adds another layer to his legacy: a voice actor in one of the largest crowdfunded animated family series in history.

When asked about his Pirates memories, McNally recalled a charming anecdote. “I only realized I’d been on the rides in Pirates when I started filming and phoned my daughter. I said, ‘All this seems terribly familiar.’ And she said, ‘Yeah, you took me on the ride in 1999.’ So that was interesting.”

The Supernatural Versus the Seafaring: Why Podo Feels Fresh

McNally is quick to point out that while both characters share a piratey past, Podo’s arc is far more concerned with redemption and familial duty. “Looking after my kids and my daughter and my grandchildren is very opposed to what we’re slowly going to learn about his background without giving anything away,” he teases.

This difference has resonated with fans who have followed the series since its crowdfunding debut. Social media is buzzing with praise for McNally’s warm, gravelly performance, with many calling it a worthy addition to his repertoire. One fan on X wrote, “Kevin McNally as Podo is the sweetest and toughest grandpa ever. He steals every scene.”

What Is 'The Wingfeather Saga' About?

For the uninitiated, The Wingfeather Saga chronicles the Igiby family—Janner, Kalmar, and Leeli, along with their mother Nia and grandfather Podo—as they flee the evil Fangs of Dang and confront the mysterious ruler Gnag the Nameless. Based on the books by singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson (which have sold over 1 million copies), the series has garnered a passionate fanbase thanks to its blend of adventure, faith, and genuine emotion.

• Season 3: Entitled The Ice Prairies, it adapts the second half of the second book, North! Or Be Eaten. The family faces freezing landscapes, sea dragons, flabbits, and toothy cows.
• Voice Cast: David Oyelowo, Tantoo Cardinal, Henry Witcher, Jodi Benson, Kevin McNally, Alkaio Thiele, and Matthew Rhys lend their voices.
• Showrunner: J. Chris Wall, who has ensured the series stays true to Peterson’s vision.

Recording Season 4: What’s Next for the Saga?

McNally confirmed that recording for Season 4 is already underway, promising more epic confrontations and deeper character revelations. “I’m very much looking forward to seeing Season 3. It’s wonderful that the show has managed to take off after the first season, and that people are interested in watching it. It’s very, very exciting. And I love playing Podo.”

Given the show’s track record of delivering emotional gut-punches and stunning animation, fans can expect the Igiby family’s journey to intensify. With McNally at the helm of the beloved grandfather figure, The Wingfeather Saga is poised to become a modern animated classic—proving that even veteran actors can find new life in the most unexpected of roles.

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