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Ironheart star Regan Aliyah responds to the show’s post-credit scene and *that* big twist

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The Rainbow Crew is an ongoing interview series that highlights outstanding LGBTQ+ portrayals on screen. This series features individuals who work behind and in front of the camera, including both queer creators and allies supporting the community. Coming up next, we chat with Regan Aliyah about her debut role in Ironheart for Marvel.

Regardless of its metal-clad appearance, the show “Ironheart” and its titular character embody profound humanity. The protagonist, Riri Williams, frequently finds herself overwhelmed by emotions such as fear or sadness, reflecting her deep human sensibilities. Her strong bond with her friend Natalie serves as the emotional heart of the narrative in numerous aspects.

In the subsequent group of episodes, Ironheart brings forth another character named Zelma Stanton who showcases leadership through her heart in a unique manner. Employing mystical abilities, this delightful and enchanting apprentice witch instinctively and spontaneously moves the narrative along, often intervening to aid Riri by prioritizing feelings above all else, regardless of the perils that may loom on the horizon.

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As a dedicated gamer, I can confidently say that Zelma has been a beloved character for fans of Doctor Strange in the literary world. However, Regan Aliyah’s outstanding performance as Zelma in Ironheart is set to make her an uncontested fan-favorite on screen too. Throughout the series, Aliyah brings an electric energy and charm to every scene that leaves a captivating, genuine magic in its wake, particularly during the latter half of the show.

Looking ahead, it seems promising for both Aliyah and Zelma in the future, hinted by the post-credit scene featuring Ironheart. We chatted with Aliyah about the series finale, her opinions on its major twist, and speculating whether Zelma could potentially become Marvel’s next LGBTQ+ character on screen, as reported by Digital Spy.

What is it about Zelma as a character that really speaks to you as a person?

Her affection for magic is profound; she’s always ready to experiment with it. In the comic books, there’s an unwavering sincerity about her, even when her honesty might be inconvenient. There’s a certain humor that comes across in the comics, and we hope that will translate onto the screen. She’s quite an appealing character.

Magic truly resonates with me. I find myself drawn to my favorite Marvel characters who possess magical abilities. To me, magic is simply the most thrilling skill one could wield. Therefore, the opportunity to embody a magic user, to bring to life a character with powers, is an indescribably exciting experience. And to portray a character that I perceive as more relatable and everyday, I believe that adds an extra layer of coolness to it.

It would be fascinating to witness Zelma’s unique take on magic within the context of a series such as “Agatha All Along”. Indeed, she seems like she could have been an excellent addition to that magical coven.

1. Repeat yourself. Repeat it once more! I yearn to participate in it. I adore Agatha. I felt so joyful when they created that series. I wondered, is there a realm where Zelma sneaks over there? I’d be thrilled if that were the case.

2. Could you say it one more time? Say it over again! I long to join in. I cherish Agatha. I felt an immense joy when they brought out that program. It made me question, is there a place where Zelma slips away? I’d be delighted if it were so.

3. Could you please repeat that? Say it once more! I can’t get enough of it. I am smitten with Agatha. I was overjoyed when they produced that show. It left me wondering, is there a universe where Zelma moves stealthily over there? I would be ecstatic if that were true.

4. Can you say it again? Say it once more! I wish to be part of it all. Agatha holds my heart. The moment they unveiled that series, I was elated. It sparked a curiosity within me, is there a realm where Zelma tiptoes over there? I would be thrilled if she did.

5. Can you repeat that? Say it once more! I’d like to take part in it. Agatha means the world to me. The instant they brought out that show, I was ecstatic. It made me ponder, is there a realm where Zelma sneaks over there? I would be thrilled if she did.

In the animated series, Agatha All Along, a significant number of witches are portrayed as being part of the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, there were subtle indications in Ironheart suggesting that the character Zelma could also be queer. However, I’m curious to know if it’s plausible that these characters are indeed queer or whether my interpretation might have been overly speculative. What do you think?

Fundamentally, the feelings people have towards her are identical to their feelings for her. I am convinced of it; I simply find her so captivating that it seems impossible she wouldn’t be. Go girl! (Informal and enthusiastic)

It seems to me that there’s a side of her deeply engrossed in mastering magic, immersing herself in this realm, and finding her place within it. I believe this is her main focus, though I cannot be certain. To me, it appears that she is primarily concerned with this pursuit.

“Queer people exist in every universe, every multiverse. We’re always going to be here.”

Let the internet not fool me [Laughs], but when I’m portraying a character, there are certain quirks or idiosyncrasies they possess that make them unique. That’s why I was chosen for the role.

Ironheart has a unique flavor with Shea Couleé as Slug and Zoe Terakes’ participation added to it. Additionally, last year saw the release of Agatha All Along, which makes me excited to hear your thoughts on the direction of queer representation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I believe it’s crucial for us to discuss why it matters so much to see such representation.

I find it wonderful! It’s incredibly important in today’s global context to focus on and acknowledge the presence of queer individuals, because we do exist. We can be found across all universes and multiverses. Our existence is constant – whether it’s in a comic book or real life. We are here.

As a gamer, I can’t stress enough how crucial representation is for many of us. Some might dismiss it as unnecessary fluff, but it means everything to a significant portion of the gaming community. Just like seeing Black women portrayed powerfully and authentically in shows like Ironheart makes them feel seen and represented, so too do games that reflect our diverse experiences and identities. It’s not just about entertainment; it’s about feeling a sense of belonging, of being heard and understood within this vast gaming world.

In Ironheart, the representation stirs emotions within you and forges a connection to art like never before. I’m genuinely grateful for this experience, as I believe it is an essential element that truly matters.

It’s not merely about meeting a quota; instead, it feels more like a reflection of reality. People might think we’re merely checking off boxes to include us in every production, but the truth is, we’re simply present. If you picture a coffee shop, when I walk in, they don’t count how many customers they need. I just happened to be queer, much like it’s natural for me to be part of this diverse world.

What was your favourite Ironheart scene to look back on?

As a gamer, when it comes to filming, I carefully filter the script, ensuring Zelma only gets the info she needs. Anything that doesn’t concern her, I set aside, saying to myself, “That’s not for Zelma.” So, when Riri approaches me and asks for help, I can respond confidently because I’ve got the relevant details. I don’t go back to read more after that.

As an ardent admirer, I found myself continuing to appreciate the series, exclaiming, “Wow, that’s what it was all about? Incredible!” This has led to a wealth of new favorite scenes for me, as I opted to maintain my fan experience.

There’s a specific individual sitting with Riri, and during a brief moment, they engage in a chat. In the background, there’s a fleeting glimpse of him in a mirror or reflective surface. I strongly encourage viewers to revisit this instance, as it offers a rare sight of him in his genuine form, reflected in the mirror, before returning to their conversation.

In awe, I found myself exclaiming, “I bet you all overlooked that! Rewind and catch the dialogue.” The subtle reveal of his character’s red-hued essence left me speechless. I couldn’t help but be awestruck. It was outstanding.

For such a prolonged time, it seems strange now to utter his name aloud. In the series, remember that scene in episode four where Zelma nearly mentions “Mephisto,” but is interrupted by her mother, correct?

It was quite exciting as well because they hinted at his appearance weekly on ‘WandaVision’. The speculation about Mephisto was rampant: “Is it Mephisto?” or “Mephisto confirmed?” We found ourselves looking rather silly, commenting daily and predicting that he would appear in the next episode. We were definitely overdoing it when we pointed out the bunny, saying it would turn out to be him in disguise.

As a thrilled admirer, finding myself on the set, our executive producer, Zoie [Nagelhout], excitedly declared, “It’s officially confirmed, it’s going to happen!” I couldn’t believe it. I thought, “There’s no chance. This can’t possibly be happening.

Many viewers might be taken aback by Mephisto’s appearance in Ironheart, a seemingly unexpected choice. However, I find it intriguing that they’ve introduced him amidst the clash of magic and technology in the series.

It strikes me as entirely logical, given that Mephisto is a malevolent figure who thrives on exploiting innocence. In contrast, Peter Parker, though young at heart, has experienced much in life. Meanwhile, we have Riri, a character eager and wide-eyed, still learning the ropes.

“We pray that Zelma doesn’t fall victim to a little bit of evil.”

In a more simplified manner: If I were Mephisto, I would say, “Excellent! Allow me to assist you with that.” While some might find it puzzling, it seems logical to me that he would start at the beginning and then move on to the next step.

In the scene following Mephisto’s conversation with Riri, you become the focus. Given all the hints and clues left in the air, what could this mean for your character’s future development?

Firstly, I was yelling, as your statement left me bewildered – are you implying that I’m in the post-credit scene? But what do you mean by that? I honestly can’t fathom it. Every day, it seemed like I was reminding them, “Quiet down. This isn’t real. Eventually, Ashton Kutcher or someone else will appear and say, ‘You’re Punk’d!’ I was simply baffled by the situation.

1. This thing can travel to many different destinations. We hope Zelma avoids any trace of wickedness. Currently, her deepest desire is to practice magic. However, I believe she won’t venture too far astray in my mind, as she seems to have some sort of guidance from other unseen individuals.

2. With its ability to reach numerous locations, we fervently wish that Zelma stays away from a tinge of malice. At the moment, her strong desire lies in mastering magic. Yet, I feel certain that she won’t wander too far off course because there appears to be some mysterious guidance steering her from other sources.

3. This versatile entity can cover many grounds. We anxiously hope that Zelma escapes the clutches of a hint of mischief. Presently, her longing is to learn magic. However, I am convinced she won’t stray too far because it seems as if she has some form of direction from unseen benefactors.

4. This thing can move to countless spots. We hope that Zelma manages to stay away from even a touch of ill-doing. Right now, her heart’s wish is to practice magic. But I am convinced that she won’t deviate too much because it seems like she has some kind of hidden guidance to guide her from somewhere else.

5. This object can traverse multiple locations. We pray that Zelma doesn’t fall prey to a smidgen of wickedness. At the moment, her burning desire is to learn magic. Yet, I am positive she won’t stray too far because it seems like she has some sort of secret guidance coming from unknown sources.

Many comic enthusiasts might recognize a moment where she picks up a jar and warns, “Caution! Avoid handling this. Once ingested, it can be challenging to remove from the brain.

It indicates that she had encountered the mind-afflicting parasites priorly, which led her to seek help from Doctor Strange, who in turn removed them. As a result, they have a pre-existing relationship, implying she’s not a newcomer or stranger to him.

If there’s another season or connections to future events, it’s unlikely that the character won’t deviate significantly without someone guiding her and saying something like, “You seem to have lost your way at present.

As we anticipate updates on Ironheart season 2, production on XO, Kitty season 3 is currently underway. If I were to take on the role of Juliana in this series, how would I channel that character’s journey while also drawing from my own experiences as a young, queer individual?

It’s extraordinary and unusual to be part of a show where nearly two-thirds of the core friend group are LGBTQ+ individuals, and they all happen to be people of color. Adding additional characters who share these identities only makes this even more remarkable, as it’s seldom seen in media.

In addition, it’s significant that each character in this series attends high school and their identities as LGBTQ+ individuals are an integral part of them. Just as a straight person might find someone attractive during high school, so does a gay or lesbian individual. I admire that the show doesn’t shy away from representing these characters authentically; instead, it portrays them in a natural way, reflecting their true identities.

I’m incredibly fortunate to portray the character of Juliana on that series. What makes it special is that she navigates a mature storyline in a family-oriented show, where she struggles with her own insecurities in her relationship, often projecting them onto others without realizing it. Eventually, she comes to understand this behavior and offers an apology. Balancing these complex emotions at just 16 years old is quite the challenge.

“Atypical was one of the reasons I came out because of the queer storyline in it”

I find that truly fascinating! You know, when I introduce it to children, they might initially be irritated with it. But after a few interactions, their sentiment often shifts to, “Wow, hold on. Maybe she’s more intelligent than we initially assumed.

It’s truly remarkable to witness a series as distinctive and captivating as this one, which has amassed such a large, devoted fan base. This demonstrates that stories centered around the LGBTQ+ community and people of color are not limited in appeal, but can be just as successful and well-received as any other show in its genre – if not even more so.

One factor that made me feel at ease about revealing my identity was seeing similar situations portrayed positively on television, giving me a sense of what might happen afterwards.

As a young gamer who identifies as queer, there are moments when it feels like I’m wandering alone in a dimly lit gaming world, unsure of how to find my way out. It’s a struggle to keep going, to hold onto hope for as long as possible. But then, something magical happens – I stumble upon a game or a TV show that shines a light at the end of the tunnel, whispering, “You might just be alright on the other side.” Suddenly, I find the courage to step forward, guided by the warmth of acceptance and the promise of brighter days.

Currently, I find myself part of a television series that explores themes of queer identity and more. To some, this topic may seem trivial, but to others, it could serve as a beacon of hope in their darkest moments. Regardless of its universal significance, it holds great importance for me personally.

Which shows particularly resonated with you growing up as a queer person?

Growing up, I often found myself identifying with characters such as Kim Possible or Marceline from Adventure Time. These strong female figures sparked a deep curiosity in me – I’d wonder why I felt so drawn to them, what made me admire them so much. There were countless movies and TV shows featuring powerful women that left me utterly captivated. In essence, I was infatuated with these characters.

The TV series, especially Atypical, with its portrayal of a queer storyline, became a significant factor for me in acknowledging my identity. It played a crucial role in helping me accept and express who I am.

All episodes of Ironheart are available to stream now on Disney+.

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2025-07-02 17:21

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