A few years ago, darker superhero shows such as Daredevil and the Punisher were extremely popular for Marvel fans. Now, Disney’s Echo series is hoping to emulate this style, and tie into the stories of Matt Murdock, Kingpin and more.
Maya Lopez made her first appearance in the 1999 comic book as a villain in the Daredevil story. She is Native American, deaf and has a prosthetic leg, and she is also a master of martial arts. However, her powers don’t come from mutations or advanced technology like other characters – as her nickname suggests, she’s a perfect mimic who can replicate any physical action she sees.
She was first featured on TV in the Hawkeye series, although her comic book alias was never used. Maya’s backstory is particularly dramatic – as a teenager, she witnessed the death of her father. William Lopez, leader of the Tracksuit Mafia, was killed by a vigilante known as Ronin. Wilson Fisk, AKA the Kingpin, took care of the orphaned girl, and Maya dedicated her life to tracking down the killer.
Echo will be set after the events of Hawkeye. Find out what to expect from the new Marvel series.
Disney+
What date and time will Echo release?
In the US, Echo will debut on Disney+ and Hulu on Tuesday 9 January 2024 at 6pm PT/9pm ET.
Due to a different time zone in the UK, Marvel’s series will drop on Disney+ on Wednesday 10 January 2024, at 2am.
All five episodes of Echo will be available simultaneously.
The basic, ad-supported Disney+ subscription costs $7.99/£4.99 monthly. The ad-supported Hulu plan is priced at $7.99 per month, and the ad-free one starts from $17.99 per month.
What is the plot of Echo?
Spoilers for the Hawkeye series below.
The Hawkeye series followed the New York-set festive adventures of Clint Barton. Maya Lopez appeared as the head of the Tracksuit Mafia, operating under the Kingpin’s protection. She was determined to find her father’s killer – the mysterious Ronin. Her search led her to none other than Clint Barton.
As it turned out, William Lopez’s murder occurred with the Kingpin’s knowledge and consent. Having discovered the truth about her mentor, Maya decided his time was up and tried to shoot him. However, as you might expect, Fisk survived. He is set to appear in the Echo series as a villain.
What happened to Maya, though? The new show implies that she left town and returned to her Cheyenne community in Oklahoma.
Disney+
As the series description goes:
Streaming exclusively on Disney, the origin story of Echo revisits Maya Lopez, whose ruthless behavior in New York City catches up with her in her hometown. She 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.
In addition to the Kingpin, Daredevil will also appear in Echo. It’s worth mentioning that in the comics, Maya is sent by Fisk to take down Matt Murdock, but the two fall in love when they meet, so there’s a possibility that the same will happen in the series. This would also set up some nice plot threads for Daredevil: Born Again, which is set to air later in 2024.
Is there a trailer for Echo?
Watch the first trailer for Echo:
Marvel brings back Kingpin and Daredevil in the violent Echo’s announcement:
Echo cast and crew
The following cast members are confirmed to appear in the series:
- Alaqua Cox – Maya Lopez
- Charlie Cox – Matt Murdock/Daredevil
- Vincent D’Onofrio – Wilson Fisk/Kingpin
- Zahn McClarnon – William Lopez, Maya’s father
- Devery Jacobs – Julie, a member of Maya’s family
- Chaske Spencer
- Tantoo Cardinal
- Cody Lightning
- Graham Greene
Echo is created by Marion Dayre (Better Call Saul). The episodes are directed by Sydney Freeland (Reservation Dogs) and Catriona McKenzie (The Walking Dead).
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Author: Weronika de Oliveira, Entertainment Writer, Tech Advisor
Weronika is an Entertainment Writer at Tech Advisor, where she covers topics related to TV shows, streaming, and movies. With an MA degree in Film Studies, her areas of expertise range from classical and postmodern cinema to contemporary films, series, and pop culture.
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