The Midlands is getting a touch of mutant class this November as James McAvoy (X-Men, Split, Atonement) joins the lineup for MCM Birmingham Comic Con. The second most beloved Professor X (and, let’s be honest, even James would probably agree that Sir Patrick Stewart holds the top spot) will be at the NEC on Saturday and Sunday (29th–30th November) for autographs, photo ops, and a Main Stage spotlight panel charting his career, from Shameless to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.
Before mind-melding his way into Marvel history, McAvoy made his name on Shameless opposite Anne-Marie Duff, earned acclaim in The Last King of Scotland (with Forest Whitaker), and broke hearts in Atonement (with Keira Knightley). Since then, he’s embraced chaos in Filth, gone full assassin in Wanted, and bent minds (and possibly reality) in M. Night Shyamalan’s Split and Glass.
He’s joining an already packed guest list that reads like a fantasy casting dream. Neil Newbon (Baldur’s Gate 3, Resident Evil: Village), everyone’s favourite charmingly amoral vampire Astarion, and fellow Baldur’s Gate 3 wizard Tim Downie (Outlander, Upstart Crow), better known to fans as the ever-theatrical Gale, will both be there. Luke Roberts (Game of Thrones, Black Sails) will also appear, fresh from taking the lead in Hudson & Rex.
Rounding out the roster are Ben Whitehead (Wallace & Gromit), Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey), Demon Slayer stars Christine Marie Cabanos and Mela Lee, and the one and only Charles Martinet, the original voice of Mario. We’ve interviewed Charles before, and he’s exactly what you hope the voice of Mario would be: sweet, loveable, and delightfully bonkers in the best possible way.
If you’ve never been to MCM Birmingham Comic Con, imagine two cavernous NEC halls bursting with pop culture energy. You’ll find hundreds of exhibitors and retailers, a Comic Village and Author Corner full of brilliant artists and writers, plus panels, cosplay competitions, screenings, and gaming tournaments. The whole thing buzzes with an inclusive, welcoming vibe that makes it one of the happiest weekends on the geek calendar.
‘MCM Birmingham Comic Con’ runs from Friday, 28th to Sunday, 30th November 2025, at the NEC Birmingham.
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