Marvel’s Echo series: release date, cast, trailer and how to watch for free
The next instalment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is almost here, as Echo is finally coming to streaming services. Launching in the new year, the series will mark the first Marvel offering of 2024 and see the return of one of the brand’s most iconic characters.
Billed as a “gritty, action-packed drama,” the series centres on the titular hero known as Echo, a deaf superhero whose first appearance in the MCU came in the 2021 Hawkeye miniseries. Echo looks set to be a more grounded and violent series compared to Marvel’s usual offering and is the first MCU series to be rated TV-MA in the US.
This means it is aimed specifically at mature audiences and may not be suitable for younger viewers – something backed up by its action-packed first-look trailer. The series is hotly anticipated amongst Marvel fans as it will see the return of characters from the cancelled Daredevil series, which was a hit for Netflix during its three-season run and left fans calling for the hero’s return.
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In part thanks to a loyal fan campaign, The Man Without Fear made a sensational return to the franchise in Spider-Man: No Way Home and is heading to Disney+ in 2024. Here, we break down everything you need to know about Marvel’s Echo.
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What is Echo about?
Marvel Studios’ Echo centres on Maya Lopez, a deaf Native American whose ruthless behaviour in New York City catches up with her in her hometown. The former leader of the Tracksuit Mafia gang, Maya is pursued by the brutal behemoth Wilson Fisk and his criminal empire.
When Maya’s journey brings her home, she he must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward. Echo will form part of the MCU’s Phase Five and will be the first first series under the Marvel Spotlight banner, which will focus on “more grounded, character-driven stories” rather than the wider MCU continuity.
Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez in EchoMarvel Studios’ Head of Streaming Brad Winderbaum said of the decision to launch the new banner with Echo: “Marvel Spotlight gives us a platform to bring more grounded, character-driven stories to the screen, and in the case of Echo, focusing on street-level stakes over larger MCU continuity. Just like comics fans didn’t need to read Avengers or Fantastic Four to enjoy a Ghost Rider Spotlight comic, our audience doesn’t need to have seen other Marvel series to understand what’s happening in Maya’s story.”
Who is in the cast of Echo?
Echo is fronted by Alaqua Cox, who reprises her role as the titular anti-hero. The American actress’ appearance in 2021’s Hawkeye was her debut acting performance, with the character remaining her only on-screen role.
She stars alongside Reservation Dogs’ Devery Jacobs as new character Bonnie and Doctor Sleep’s Zahn McClarnon as William Lopez, Maya’s father. Also starring are The English’s Chaske Spencer, 1883’s Graham Greene, Killers of the Flower Moon’s Tantoo Cardinal and Hey, Viktor! star Cody Lightning.
Vincent D’Onofrio returns as Wilson Fisk/KingpinEcho also sees the return of Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk – AKA The Kingpin – a ruthless figure of the criminal underworld and one of Marvel’s most iconic supervillains. It has also been confirmed that Charlie Cox will once again reprise his role as Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer known as Daredevil.
When is Echo released?
Echo will be available from Wednesday, January 10. All episodes will premiere on the same day, marking the first Marvel Studios series to drop all entirely bingeable episodes at once.
How to watch Echo for free with money-saving deals
Like most Marvel content, Echo will be available to stream exclusively on Disney+ in the UK. This means that to watch Echo when it launches, viewers will need a subscription to Disney+ which now costs as little as £4.99 a month.
What’s more, Disney+ members also get access to loads of top Disney content including top MCU and Star Wars films and shows, as well as festive favourites like Home Alone, Die Hard and The Muppets Christmas Carol. There’s no hidden cost with a Disney+ subscription and it can be cancelled any time.
Customers can also save by signing up to an annual subscription rather than paying monthly. By paying annually, new members can get the equivalent of two months free on Disney+’s Standard or Premium plan, which usually cost £7.99 a month and £10.99 a month respectively.
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This gives members access to hit shows like Marvel’s Loki, Star Wars spin-off Ahsoka, and popular reality series The Kardashians and Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story. It also includes hundreds of hours of Disney, Pixar and National Geographic content including Encanto, Lightyear and Limitless with Chris Hemsworth.
Disney+ has also partnered with Samsung to give customers a free membership when buying eligible devices from a host of tech retailers. Savvy shoppers can currently save hundreds in Currys’ New Year sale, which includes huge discounts on a range of high-spec Samsung smart TVs that come with six months of free Disney+, as well as three months of free Apple TV+.
Bargain hunters can bag a whopping £400 discount on the 50" Smart 4K UHD Neo QLED TV with Bixby and Alexa, plus a further £100 off when using the code TV10. What's more, customers can save up to £225 on selected soundbars when bought with this TV.
EE customers can get Disney+ free for a year when picking up a new Galaxy S23 FE handset, plus £100 cashback and free Galaxy Buds FE, with the option of adding Netflix and Apple TV+ to certain plans like the All Rounder. Three mobile customers can also pick up a Galaxy S23 FE and get Disney+ free for a year along with the same extras plus a £120 discount as part of the providers winter sale, as well as Paramount+ free for up to two years with the Value or Complete airtime plans.
How many episodes of Echo are there?
Echo will consist of five episodes, which makes it the shortest live-action Marvel series. Previous releases like Loki season two and Secret Invasion both ran for six episodes while She-Hulk: Attorney at Law had nine.
Is there a trailer for Echo?
Marvel unveiled the official trailer for Echo in November. It can be viewed here.
Join Disney+ to stream Echo. Alternatively, a host of other action shows are available on streaming platforms including Amazon’s Prime Video and Netflix.
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