Serah Johnson headlines the fantasy adventure series as ‘Iyanu,’ joined by Okey Jude, Samuel Kugbiyi, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Shaffy Bello, Stella Damasus and Ike Ononye
Series Created by Award-Winning Nigerian Producer, Roye Okupe and
Produced by Lion Forge Entertainment
Cartoon Network and Max announced today the all-Nigerian cast for “Iyanu,” the epic superhero animated-series steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology. 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. Recognized 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 endeavors 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. One day, responding to danger, she unknowingly triggers her divine powers, the likes of which have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. With newly discovered superpowers, Iyanu joins forces with two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, as they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she’ll uncover the truth about her past, her parents, and her ultimate destiny to save the world.
“Iyanu” is slated for release in the US on Cartoon Network and Max in 2025 and has a 26 episode, two season order.
Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron: Seige, Marvel’s Agent Carter) headed the writers’ room, with Roye Okupe serving as the executive producer, writer, and director on multiple episodes. The show’s Executive producers are David Steward II and Matt Heath from Lion Forge Entertainment, Erica Dupuis of Impact X Capital, Ryan Haidarian of Forefront Media Group and Doug Schwalbe.
About Max
Max®, which launched May 23, 2023, is an enhanced streaming platform from Warner Bros. Discovery, delivering unparalleled quality content for everyone in the household. With a personalized user experience that brings unique and unexpected stories ranging from the best of unscripted to the highest quality in scripted programming to live news to sports, Max is the destination for HBO Originals, Warner Bros. films, Max Originals, the DC universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, CNN Max, Bleacher Report Sports Add-On, an expansive offering of kids and family content, and best-in-class programming across food, home, reality, lifestyle, and documentaries from leading brands like HGTV, Food Network, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, TLC, ID and more, all in one place.
About Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is one of the most loved global animated networks. Widely seen by fans all over the world as the best in animation, Cartoon Network combines a rich legacy of characters and a deep roster of creatives with unique brands of storytelling. Showcasing original content from across Cartoon Network Studios, Warner Bros. Animation, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, and beyond, Cartoon Network programming includes “Craig of the Creek,” “Teen Titans Go!,” “We Baby Bears,” “Tiny Toons Looniversity,” and “The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe.” Cartoon Network’s content commitment appeals to the complete spectrum of kids and families including preschoolers with “Batwheels,” “Bugs Bunny Builders,” and more on Cartoonito, and blockbuster hits on the ultimate family destination, ACME Night.
About Lion Forge Entertainment
Lion Forge Entertainment, one of the only Black-owned animation studios of scale in North America, was founded in 2019 by David Steward II as a platform to amplify authentic, diverse voices in the animation and live action kids & family space. “Diverse Stories, Authentically Told” is the driving motto and mission behind the company.
Currently, Lion Forge Entertainment (LFE) is producing and co-financing the highly anticipated animated series “Iyanu,” for Cartoon Network and MAX. “Iyanu” is an adaptation of the graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder created by Roye Okupe and is an epic superhero steeped in Nigerian culture and mythology. Other Lion Forge projects include producing the Academy Award-winning animated short “Hair Love;” Annie and Image Award-nominated “Rise Up, Sing Out” for Disney; Emmy-winning special “The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special”; Children’s & Family Emmy Award-nominated “Rhymes Through Times” short series for Nickelodeon; and Emmy Award-winning short series “Drawn In” in partnership with Nine PBS. LFE recently signed a first look deal with Nickelodeon for animation. The company also has a partnership with Penguin Young Readers to develop animated and live action projects based on selected PYR best-selling books and a strategic alliance with Dentsu to develop projects for global partners and brands.
With a robust slate of live action and animated projects in development, Lion Forge recently formed its own distribution entity to handle foreign sales for LFE and third-party projects, as well as an in-house franchise and consumer products division to build and maximize franchises.
Lion Forge Entertainment is one of the companies under parent Polarity, also owned by Steward. Polarity includes Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group, which publishes more than 60 original graphic novels each year
and owns a deep library of IP. Polarity also owns Magnetic Press and Illustrated Syndicate. Polarity sits alongside the Steward Family holdings which range from music to NASCAR to the NHL and beyond.
Lion Forge Entertainment is represented by Activist Artists Management.
About Dark Horse
Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics is an excellent example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and transform a company with humble beginnings into an industry giant. Over the years, Dark Horse has published the work of creative legends such as Yoshitaka Amano, Margaret Atwood, Paul Chadwick, Geof Darrow, Will Eisner, Neil Gaiman, Dave Gibbons, Faith Erin Hicks, Kazuo Koike, Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Kentaro Miura, Moebius, Chuck Palahniuk, Wendy Pini, Richard Pini, and Gerard Way. In addition, Dark Horse has a long tradition of establishing exciting new creative talent throughout all of its divisions. The company has also set the industry standard for quality licensed comics, graphic novels, collectibles, and art books, including Stranger Things, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Minecraft, The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, Dragon Age, James Cameron’s Avatar, Game of Thrones, Mass Effect, StarCraft, The Witcher, and Halo. Today, Dark Horse Comics is one of the world’s leading entertainment publishers.
About YouNeek Studios
YouNeek Studios is an award-winning multiplatform entertainment company founded by Roye Okupe. Using graphic novels, animation, video games, and other forms of media, YouNeek focuses on telling extraordinary stories about extraordinary characters inspired by African history, culture, and mythology, with the ultimate goal of empowering African creatives and storytelling across the globe. Visit www.youneekstudios.com for more.
About Impact X Capital
Impact X Capital is a double bottom line VC, founded to support diverse and underrepresented talent in the digital and technology, media, and entertainment space. The Studio’s aim is to increase diversity and inclusion through development of bold and distinctive storytelling with from African diaspora creatives. Our content moves international audiences from appropriation to appreciation while giving agency to creators of color. The founders include Sir Lenny Henry and Tony winning actor Adrian Leicester; author and TV presenter Eric Collins and Executive Producer Erica Dupuis, a former HBO executive. www.impactxcapital.com.
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Author Profile
- I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
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