Marvel Entertainment and Disney released the first images of the upcoming TV show Echo, giving fans their first look at Alaqua Cox in the titular role. Cox will reprise her role from the Hawkeye miniseries, where she debuted as Maya Lopez, aka Echo, in 2021. Zahn McClarnon will also reprise his role as William, Maya’s father, and in keeping with Marvel’s theme, the show will also reportedly incorporate heroes and villains from across the entire MCU.
Alaqua Cox, a Native American actress, and amputee, first debuted as Maya Lopez in the first season of Hawkeye. Lopez is the commander of the Tracksuit Mafia, a New York crime gang, and is deeply intent on avenging her father’s death at the hands of Ronin, aka Clint Barton, more commonly known as Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Over the course of the first season of Hawkeye, Maya Lopez functions under the orders of the crime boss Kingpin, played by Vincent D’Onofrio, who reprises his role from the Netflix series Daredevil.
What We Know About Alaqua Cox in Echo
The spinoff series Echo will focus on Maya Lopez’s ruthless nature and how her activities in New York during Hawkeye affect her as she returns to her hometown. “In order to move forward, she must face her past and reconnect with her Native American roots,” reports Entertainment Weekly, explaining that the show will have an increase in Native American representation. Along with Alaqua Cox, the cast of Echo will also include Chaske Spencer (Twilight: Breaking Dawn), Tantoo Cardinal (Wind River), and Devery Jacobs and Zahn McClarnon (Reservation Dogs). Along with Vincent D’Onofrio, Charlie Cox is also slated to reprise his role as Matt Murdock from Daredevil.
Regarding the increase in Native American representation on screen, Cold told Entertainment Weekly, “We need more real, authentic Native actresses…Now we have more Native American roles in Hollywood. We’re breaking boundaries, breaking barriers, and to be honest, making history too. So that’s what is so cool about these shows and being involved in them.”
According to MovieWeb, Echo, upon its release, will also make history by being the first superhero series to have a Native American Actress in the lead role, as well as a Deaf actress. Echo will be released on Disney+ in 2023.
