Adrianne Palicki Wants to Play Rogue and Talks The Orville’s Future

From Rogue dreams to The Orville hopes, Adrianne Palicki gave fans plenty to talk about during her SpaceCon panel.

Adrianne Palicki has already stepped into some of the biggest fandoms in pop culture, but there is still one Marvel role she has her eye on.

During her on-stage SpaceCon panel moderated by Nerdtropolis Mayor Sean Tajipour, Palicki opened up about The Orville, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Friday Night Lights, John Wick, Wonder Woman, and the X-Men character she still dreams of playing.

That character is Rogue.

The reveal came during a lively fan-focused conversation about her comic book career, which has already included Bobbi Morse, aka Mockingbird, in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Kara in Smallville, and Wonder Woman in the unaired NBC pilot. Palicki told the SpaceCon crowd that Rogue remains the last major comic book role on her personal bucket list.

Adrianne Palicki Says Rogue Is Her Final Comic Book Dream Role

Palicki did not hesitate when the conversation turned to comic book roles she still wants to play.

“Also, if anybody wants to campaign for me playing Rogue, that would be cool too,” Palicki said.

The crowd immediately reacted to the idea, and Palicki made it clear this was not a random fan-casting answer.

“It’s my bucket list,” Palicki said. “It’s my bucket list. The last one on my bucket list.”

For longtime fans, the casting idea makes sense. Rogue is one of the most beloved X-Men characters, known for her strength, Southern attitude, emotional weight, and complicated powers. Palicki has built a career playing women who can command a room, throw a punch, carry pain, and still bring humor and heart to the screen.

Why Rogue Fits Adrianne Palicki

Palicki’s career has already prepared her for a character like Rogue. She has played a Marvel hero in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., a DC icon in Wonder Woman, and a sci-fi commander in The Orville.

She also reminded fans that she has already checked off several major comic book boxes.

“I got to play Supergirl,” Palicki said. “I got to play Wonder Woman. I got to play Mockingbird.”

That leaves Rogue as the final comic book character she wants to bring to life. With the X-Men becoming a major part of Marvel’s future, Palicki’s SpaceCon answer gives fans a clear campaign to rally around.

Adrianne Palicki Shares Hope for The Orville Season 4

Palicki also addressed the question that The Orville fans continue to ask: Will the series return?

Before the question could fully land, Palicki jumped in with the answer many fans wanted to hear.

“Is there a fourth season? I wish there were a fourth season,” Palicki said.

She explained that there had been a conversation before the strike, but things had been quiet since then. She also noted that Seth MacFarlane and Scott Grimes had moved on to Ted, though that series is no longer coming back.

Still, Palicki has not lost hope.

Adrianne Palicki Wants The Orville Movies

Palicki offered a different path forward for The Orville. Instead of another full season, she said she has long thought the franchise could continue through movies.

“I’ve had this whole idea for a very long time to just do films,” Palicki said. “The same way that Firefly did it. For the Star Treks, just doing that, because then it’s like you can get everybody back together, but not for that length of time necessarily. And then we can do multiple, right?”

That idea gives fans a strong reason to stay vocal. Palicki clearly still believes The Orville has more stories to tell, even if the future looks different from a traditional Season 4.

Why The Orville Still Means So Much to Adrianne Palicki

Palicki spoke warmly about her time playing Kelly Grayson and the family bond formed by the The Orville cast.

She said she has known Seth MacFarlane for years and described him as “the biggest Trekkie of all time.” According to Palicki, The Orville began as MacFarlane’s love letter to the original Star Trek, but it grew into something even more layered.

At first, she said some viewers expected the series to feel more like Family Guy or Galaxy Quest. Instead, The Orville found its own identity by blending comedy, science fiction, friendship, politics, social themes, and emotional storytelling.

Palicki praised the show for handling real-world topics through smart science fiction stories without talking down to the audience.

The Topa Storyline Had a Major Impact

One storyline that stood out to Palicki was Topa’s arc, which resonated strongly with the trans community and many viewers who felt represented by the show.

“I think it’s a beautiful storyline and again very eloquent,” Palicki said.

She added that seeing how deeply the story impacted people reminded her of what sci-fi can do when it gives viewers a voice and makes them feel seen.

For Palicki, that is part of what made The Orville special. It could be funny, strange, heartfelt, and meaningful all at the same time.

Adrianne Palicki Says Kelly Grayson Was Essential to The Orville

Palicki also made a bold statement about Kelly Grayson’s role on the ship.

When asked how The Orville might have been different if fans had seen more of Kelly’s point of view earlier, Palicki said the show could not have happened without her.

“The show couldn’t have happened without Kelly,” Palicki said. “Kelly is literally, I think she’s the captain, let’s be real.”

She also joked that Kelly should eventually have her own ship. When asked what the spinoff would be called, Palicki laughed and suggested, “Kelly’s Ship.”

Kelly Grayson Is One of Palicki’s Most Complete Roles

Palicki said Kelly is probably the character most like her as a person. The role allowed her to play action, comedy, romance, command presence, and emotional drama in one character.

She also said the evolution of Kelly mattered because the audience had to go from judging her to understanding how important she was to the crew.

That complicated arc gave Palicki one of the most complete characters of her career.

Adrianne Palicki Still Wants More Mockingbird in Marvel

The SpaceCon panel also gave Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. fans plenty to celebrate.

Palicki reflected on joining the Marvel universe as Bobbi Morse, aka Mockingbird, and said the experience felt like “coming home.” She grew up loving comics, and her brother is a comic book writer, so stepping into the Marvel world had extra meaning.

She also remembered the first time fans saw Mockingbird fully revealed on screen.

“That was the moment I was like, holy crap, I’m doing this,” Palicki said. “I really hope the fans like me.”

Years later, fans still ask her to return.

Palicki Tells Fans to Start a Mockingbird Campaign

When asked what it means that fans still want more Mockingbird, Palicki had a clear message.

“It means that y’all need to start a campaign because I would love to wear that costume again if I can fit into it,” Palicki said. “I would also love to wear that costume again and actually have it be part of the universe.”

She also revealed she still has Mockingbird’s escrima sticks next to her bed.

For Marvel fans, that quote is one of the biggest takeaways from the panel. Palicki is open to returning, and she still has a deep love for the role.

Friday Night Lights Remains Palicki’s Most Meaningful Role

Before the conversation moved fully into Marvel and sci-fi, Palicki reflected on Friday Night Lights and the lasting power of Tyra Collette.

“For me, the most meaningful role I’ve ever played is Tyra,” Palicki said. “I think I bring her to every character because she’s such a strong, strong female.”

Palicki said she still meets young women who tell her Tyra inspired them to go to college. That impact continues to move her years later.

She also shared that Tyra’s ending was important to protect. The writers did not want to lose her from the show, but Palicki believed Tyra needed to go to college because it was the right choice for the character.

“I don’t wanna leave the show, but Tyra needs to go to college,” Palicki remembered saying.

Where Would Tyra Be Today?

Palicki also imagined where Tyra might be today.

She said Tyra could be in a role similar to Tami Taylor, helping young girls who need guidance. She also joked about a possible Friday Night Lights spinoff with Tyra and Tim Riggins, where Tyra is a counselor, and Tim is a football coach.

It was a fun answer, but it also showed how much Palicki still understands and protects the character.

Adrianne Palicki Opens Up About Action Roles and John Wick

Palicki also talked about how she became known for action roles across projects like Legion, Red Dawn, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, John Wick, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and The Orville.

She said her background as a dancer, boxer, and martial arts student helped her move into action-heavy roles naturally. Her height also helped, joking that being 5’11” makes her look more intimidating on screen.

When talking about John Wick, Palicki remembered training in judo and jiu-jitsu and working with Keanu Reeves. She also said action work comes with real physical wear and tear.

Palicki Says She Wants an Action Comedy Next

When asked what kind of role still excites her, Palicki said she would like to do an action comedy.

She also gave a surprising answer: she wants to play a weak character.

“I haven’t done that,” Palicki said.

For an actor known for powerful roles, that kind of challenge is exactly what keeps her moving forward.

Adrianne Palicki Credits Fans for Keeping Her Career Alive

A major theme throughout the panel was Palicki’s love for the fans.

She talked about how Friday Night Lights was nearly canceled before fans helped save it through campaigns like Save the Lights. She said fans sent light bulbs and footballs to the network, proving how much the show meant to them.

“Fans, y’all keep everything going,” Palicki said.

That is also why conventions mean so much to her. Palicki said fan events allow her to hear directly from people who were impacted by her work, whether through Tyra, Mockingbird, Kelly Grayson, or another role.

“You don’t get to know that unless you’re standing in front of somebody who’s telling you their story,” Palicki said.

Whether that next chapter is Rogue, more The Orville, a Marvel return, or something completely new, Palicki made it clear she still has plenty of stories left to tell.

---

Read more News on Nerdtropolis. Subscribe to our YouTube.