BAT-FAM Stars Yonas Kibreab and Haley Tju Talk Gotham’s Most Unconventional Household – INTERVIEW

Yonas Kibreab and Haley Tju reflect on new stories and familiar characters.

Prime Video’s Bat-Fam brings a family-focused look at Gotham City with returning and new characters sharing the Wayne Manor spotlight. The animated series follows Batman, Alfred, and Damian Wayne—now “Little Batman”—as they navigate life with Alfred’s grandniece Alicia, reformed villain Claire, Ra’s al Ghul, Man-Bat, and Selina the cat. The show blends family comedy with the everyday chaos of Gotham.

During my recent conversation with Yonas Kibreab (Damian Wayne) and Haley Tju (Claire), the two actors discussed growing their characters, stepping into a lighthearted Gotham, and what fans can expect across the season.

Returning to Damian Wayne

Kibreab began voicing Damian Wayne in Merry Little Batman when he was 12. He is now 15 and said the long process gave him a unique perspective on how much he has grown.

“It’s been a very long journey,” he said. He recalled listening back to early recordings during ADR. “They were like, ‘Can you match this?’ I was like, that would be a little hard.” He added that stepping back into the role felt natural after living with the character for several years.

Claire’s New Spotlight

Tju joins the series as Claire, formerly known as the villain Volcano, and said she was excited to enter the DC universe for the first time. “Claire has not really had enough screen time,” she said. “This was a really exciting opportunity to bring her to life and continue the story for fans and non-fans alike.”

Tju also grew up with several Gotham staples. She named Harley Quinn and Catwoman as favorites and said Claire fits alongside them in spirit.

A Blend of Nostalgia and Modern Style

Both actors noted the series’ animation evokes classic Batman imagery while giving the world a modern feel. Kibreab connected it to the animated shows he watched growing up. “It kind of gives off Cartoon Network vibes,” he said. He looks forward to watching the show with his younger cousins.

Tju said the style reminded her of older Batman stories. “The animators did such a great job,” she said. “It feels nostalgic, but the story is so new.”

Favorite Episodes and Standout Moments

Both actors selected the first episode as a highlight. It introduces the ensemble and sets the tone for the season. Tju also pointed to episode six, which explores Claire’s origin and development following her transition from Volcano.

The cast recorded the first episode together, making it a memorable experience for both of them. When asked about favorite lines, Kibreab mentioned a moment where Batman imitates Claire. “He puts his hair on one eye and goes, ‘Yo, Claire, what’s up?’” he said. Tju called it her favorite as well.

For New and Longtime Fans

The actors hope families will use Bat-Fam as a way to share Gotham across generations. “It’ll continue the Batman journey for different generations,” Tju said. She noted that seeing Batman as a father adds a new dimension. “People can watch it with their dad and be like, my dad can be Batman.” Kibreab added that the series shows a different side of the character. “To see Batman with the dad bod,” he said.

Bat-Fam continues to expand the animated Batman universe with new characters, lighter themes and a family-centric format that offers a different look at Gotham City.

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