Why Donald Glover Really Left Fionna and Cake Season 2
Donald Glover is exiting Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake after a hit first season, leaving fans asking why he won’t return for Season 2. Here’s what we know about his surprise exit.
Quick heads-up for Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake fans: Donald Glover isn’t back as Marshall Lee in Season 2. No big statement, no dramatic exit — just a quiet recast with some timing that makes you raise an eyebrow. Here’s what’s actually going on.
So, why isn’t Donald Glover returning?
There’s no official explanation from Glover. What we do have: in September 2024, he canceled his world tour to focus on his 'physical health for a few weeks' (per the Los Angeles Times). Season 2’s production lined up with that window, which makes a pretty straightforward case for why he couldn’t jump back into voice work. Beyond that, details on his health are private — as they should be.
Who’s playing Marshall Lee now?
Voice actor Kris Kollins is stepping in as Marshall Lee for Season 2. He announced it on Instagram and gave Glover credit for defining the character before promising to carry the baton. The gratitude was strong and sincere:
'Marshall Lee ☆ I can finally announce I am joining Season 2 of Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake as the voice of Marshall Lee. It’s such an honor to be a part of a show that I’ve loved since 2010. Thank you to Kristi and everyone who saw Marshall in me.'
'Thank you @donaldglover for originating the role of Marshall…I promise to put my best foot forward. Grateful and appreciative. Thank you, God.'
Quick refresher on the show (and Marshall Lee)
Created by Adam Muto and Pendleton Ward, Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake is an animated comedy streaming on HBO Max. It’s a spin-off of the original Cartoon Network series, set in an alternate universe with gender-swapped versions of Finn and Jake — Fionna and Cake. Fionna starts out stuck in regular life, then gets pulled into the Land of Ooo and slowly figures out who she actually is.
In Season 1, Donald Glover — yes, Childish Gambino — voiced Marshall Lee, the gender-swapped version of Marceline. Like Marceline, he’s a vampire with all the fun extras: flying, shapeshifting into a bat, the whole deal.
The timeline, at a glance
- Season 1: Donald Glover voices Marshall Lee.
- September 2024: Glover cancels his world tour to focus on his physical health, per the Los Angeles Times.
- Season 2 production overlaps with that period, making a return tricky.
- Kris Kollins announces he’s taking over as Marshall Lee via Instagram.
- Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake Season 2 premieres October 23.
Not a scandal, not a feud — just a recast that likely came down to timing and health. Hopefully Glover’s doing well, and in the meantime, we’ll see what Kollins brings to Marshall Lee when Season 2 hits on October 23.