Cartoon Network and Max have proudly unveiled the all-Nigerian voice cast for Iyanu, an animated superhero series that beautifully weaves in Nigerian culture and mythology. This Lion Forge Entertainment production is a thrilling adaptation of Dark Horse Comics/YouNeek Studios’ beloved graphic novel series Iyanu: Child of Wonder, brought to life by the visionary Roye Okupe.
Leading the charge as Iyanu is the incredibly talented Serah Johnson, a voiceover artist and audiobook narrator who has made her mark in the animation industry. Johnson, the first Nigerian and African to win the prestigious Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS) Award for Outstanding Animation Character, brings her unique voice and passion to the role. She is joined by a stellar cast, including Okey Jude, Samuel Kugbiyi, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Stella Damasus, Shaffy Bello, and Ike Ononye.
Set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland, the animated series follows the journey of Iyanu, a teenage orphan girl who discovers her divine powers and joins forces with two other teenagers, Biyi and Toye, to unveil the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. The series, with 26 episodes over two seasons, is set to premiere in the U.S. on Cartoon Network and Max in 2025.
Brandon Easton leads the writers’ room, and Roye Okupe serves as the executive producer, writer, and director on multiple episodes. 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 are the executive producers.
