Marvel’s new animated series Eyes of Wakanda is now streaming on Disney+ from August 1, as the first series in phase six of the MCU.
The series features an impressive voice cast, starring Winnie Harlow (Monster High) as Noni, a disgraced former member of the Dora Milaje, and Cress Williams (Prison Break) as the Lion, a former Wakandan general-turned-pirate who has stolen technology to found his own tyrannical rule. Appearing alongside them is Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint, and Anika Noni Rose.
Danai Gurira will also be reprising her role from Black Panther as the formidable Okoye, the General of the Dora Milaje and Black Panther’s right-hand.
Consisting of four half-hour episodes, Eyes of Wakanda is directed by series creator Todd Harris, who previously contributed as a storyboard artist on the Black Panther films in 2018 and 2022. Harris worked closely with the creative teams behind Black Panther, with Black Panther director and writer Ryan Coogler serving as an executive producer.
The series is part of a five-year television deal between Disney and Coogler’s Proximity Media production company. Utilising hand-painted style animation, inspired by contemporary African-American artists, Eyes of Wakanda brings a visually distinct aesthetic to the MCU, paying homage to the cultural heritage of the story.
The series centres on the Hatut Zeraze, Wakandan warrior spies tasked with retrieving stolen Vibranium artefacts across the world. Described by Disney as a “globe-trotting adventure,” the story is set to unfold across pivotal moments in history, including the Western Bronze Age, 15th-century China, the Trojan War, and 19th-century Ethiopia. The show will illustrate how the Wakandans navigated different periods of world history, all while maintaining their core principles of secrecy and non-interference, which eventually unfolded in Black Panther.
Serving as a prequel spin-off to Black Panther, the series will deepen the lore of Wakanda, exploring its legacy across centuries. This expansion builds on the global impact of the original film, which made history as the first Marvel film to earn a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards, grossing $1.3 billion worldwide.
The first episode, ‘Into the Lion’s Den’, was screened at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 9 to a positive reception. This series will undoubtedly be a welcome addition to the MCU and allow viewers to discover more of the rich, mysterious mythology of Wakanda.
Words by Maicey Navarro Griffiths
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