TLL Staff
Lion Forge Entertainment has secured a distribution deal with ITVX to stream its upcoming animated superhero series Iyanu in the United Kingdom.
The agreement grants ITVX exclusive video-on-demand (VOD) rights, including ad-supported (AVOD) streaming, for the UK. The Republic of Ireland will have access under non-exclusive terms.
Darren Nartey, Senior Acquisitions Manager: Films & Kids at ITV, says the network was thrilled to win the rights to the highly anticipated series.
“We are very pleased to be bringing the wonderful Iyanu to the UK,” Nartey said. “Our ITVX viewers are in for a treat.”
Produced by the Emmy-winning Lion Forge Entertainment—best known for the Oscar-winning Hair Love—Iyanu is an animated adaptation of Iyanu: Child of Wonder, a graphic novel series by Roye Okupe.
The 26-episode series is slated for a Spring 2025 launch in the US on Cartoon Network and Max, with a Summer 2025 premiere in the UK via ITVX.
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Lion Forge previously partnered with Showmax to bring the series to 44 African countries, where there is intense interest in the story due to its roots in Nigerian mythology.
Iyanu follows the journey of its titular character, a young orphan in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland. As she studies history and ancient arts, she unexpectedly awakens divine powers unseen since the legendary Age of Wonders. With her friends Biyi, Toye, and a mystical leopard named Ekun, Iyanu embarks on a quest to uncover the origins of an emerging evil and discover her destiny.
The all-African voice cast is led by Serah Johnson as Iyanu, alongside renowned Nollywood actors, including AMAA winner and Vogue US cover star Adesua Etomi-Wellington, three-time AMAA nominee Stella Damasus, multi-award-winner Blossom Chukwujekwu, and The Black Book star Shaffy Bello.
The series’ writing team was headed by story editor Brandon Easton (Transformers: War for Cybertron, Marvel’s Agent Carter) and included Emmy winner Kerri Grant (Doc McStuffins, Ada Twist, Scientist).
Executive producers include David Steward II, Stephanie Sperber, Kirsten Newlands, and Matt Heath from Lion Forge Entertainment, along with Roye Okupe (YouNeek Studios), Erica Dupuis (Impact X Capital), Ryan Haidarian (Forefront Media Group), and Doug Schwalbe (Superprod). Steward is the founder of Lion Forge.
“We’re so proud to have ITVX as the home for Iyanu across the U.K.,” said Steward II. “ITV are amazing partners who fully recognize the potential of the Iyanu franchise. We have a shared vision for success, and we’re excited for UK audiences to experience this inspiring series.”
Anticipation for Iyanu has been high, thanks to its blend of rich cultural storytelling and high-profile industry talent. The series has also been signing up a variety of licensing partners, including Kidazzle as its Master Toy partner, and Brown Toy Box for STEAM toys and games.