Cartoon Network and Max announced that the epic superhero animated-series Iyanu steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology will have an all-Nigerian cast. A Lion Forge Entertainment production, Iyanu is an adaptation of Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios’ popular graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder by award-winning Nigerian creator and producer Roye Okupe.
Leading the voice cast is Serah Johnson as Iyanu, a teenage heroine who must uncover the mystery behind her newfound powers to save her people from an ancient curse threatening to destroy humanity. Johnson, known for her extensive voiceover work within the animation industry and audiobooks, is the first Nigerian and African to win the Society of Voice Arts Award (SOVAS) for Outstanding Animation Character – Film or TV – Best African Voiceover for her work on Moji.
In Addition to Johnson, Iyanu is made up of promising new talent along with experienced and esteemed actors including TV personality and City People Award winner for Fast Rising Male Actor Okey Jude (Hotel Labamba, The Governor’s Daughter) who joins the cast as Biyi, Iyanu’s carefree adventurer friend. Recognised as the official IVR (Interactive Voice Response) on Nigeria’s largest telecommunications network MTN between 2013 and 2015, Jude also earned an Africa Choice Awards nomination for “The Most Promising Male Movie Star of 2022.” Samuel Kugbiyi, a multifaceted artist with a career spanning from childhood, comes on board as Iyanu’s bookworm friend Toye. Noteworthy among Kugbiyi’s creative endeavours is the acclaimed musical drama Tafiya Lafiya: The Journey, where he was both a writer and performer.
African Movie Academy Awards winner and Nollywood actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington (King of Boys, Gangs of Lagos) will voice Olori, who Vogue named as one of their 14 global superstars in 2019 alongside Scarlett Johansson, Deepika Padukone and Vanessa Kirby; set to play Toye’s father Kanfo is one of Nollywood’s foremost leading men Blossom Chukwujekwu (Falling, Stolen Lives) who is celebrated with multiple wins and nominations across Nigeria’s award shows like the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Best Of Nollywood Awards, Golden Movies Awards, among others; Nigerian- born entertainer and author of Màmá, It’s A Girl Stella Damasus (Gone) is set to play Sewa; Shaffy Bello (The Score, Battleground), a Best of Nollywood Awards nominee, has signed on to voice Emi – The One Mother; and esteemed actor Ike Ononye (Doc Martin, The Lovers) is Elder Alapani.
Iyanu is a superhero tale set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, which draws from Nigerian culture, music and mythology. Drawing deeply from the rich tapestry of Yoruba people, the animated series follows a teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, who spends her days studying history and ancient arts but yearns for a normal life.
Iyanu is slated for release in the US on Cartoon Network and Max in 2025 and has a 26 episode, two season order.
