Marvel Studios next streaming series, Echo, will be one of many “firsts.” Echo will be the studio’s first TV-MA project and the first to debut under the Marvel Spotlight banner. It’s also the studio’s first superhero project to be led by a Native American in star Alaqua Cox, the first series to have all episodes available immediately and the first to debut simultaneously on Hulu and Disney Plus. With the holiday season coming up, now is good a time to start preparing for the series which debuts on January 10th, 2024. That means it’s time for…THE ULTIMATE LIST OF WHAT TO WATCH BEFORE ECHO!
Tier One
Given Maya Lopez has only appeared in one project so far, there isn’t much you MUST know about her character before jumping into Echo. In fact, Marvel Studios promises that viewers don’t have to watch any other Marvel projects to understand the plot of Echo or any of their Marvel Spotlight projects. However, if you want as much background as possible, everything you need to know takes place in another D+ series.
Hawkeye
The synopsis for Echo reveals that following the events of Hawkeye, Maya is pursued by Wilson Fisk’s criminal empire. Hawkeye provides all the information you need to understand why Fisk, played once again by Vincent D’Onofrio, is after her and allows an idea of their long history together. If you haven’t seen it yet, Hawkeye will give you a little taste of who Maya Lopez is…and explain why Fisk is wearing that fancy eye patch in the trailer.
Tier Two
Tier Two projects are supplemental/non-essential viewing even for typical rewatches. Given Echo’s Marvel Spotlight banner, they are even more non-essential (?).
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Episode 8
Again given Echo’s identity as a Marvel Spotlight project, no additional viewing is required; however, Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock/Daredevil is slated to appear in a couple of episodes of Echo so if you want or need a reminder of how the character has been portrayed on the Sacred Timeline (or if you’ve yet to watch it yet), you can check in here. There’s some courtroom stuff, some high-flying fighting and some smashing…and, of course, the stride of pride. Cox is ALWAYS great as Murdock and it’s no different here even though it’s different here.
Tier Three
So you’re a completist…
Tier Three projects are there for those who absolutely must see every second of every project even tangentially related to the current one. In this case, there are just a pair of projects that you could watch (or better yet just Google the clips) before January 10th.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
As first revealed TO THE WORLD in 2020 by Murphy’s Multiverse’s own Charles Villanueva, Charlie Cox made his MCU debut as Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home. More a promise of things to come than anything, his appearance as Peter Parker’s really good lawyer included a memorable brick catch and…yeah, that’s about it.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Episode 9
Cox’s return for the final scene of the She-Hulk finale is highly unlikely to be referenced in Echo (the way the MCU pays off scenes like this, it may never be referenced again) but we understand your compulsion, so we’re including it here for you.
Tier Four
This is a BRAND NEW ADDITION to the Ultimate List just for Echo. Tier Four projects are projects that you don’t need to watch but a slew of rabid fans are going to argue should be included anyway…
Daredevil (2015)
Watching Netflix’s Daredevil will do absolutely nothing to add to your enjoyment or understanding of Echo. You’d get just as much out of watching Ben Affleck‘s Daredevil…but don’t let that stop you! Anything you need to know about Maya’s history with Kingpin and/or Daredevil will be included in Echo but if you want to slog through an additional 39 hours of TV before January 10th, get nuts.
About Echo:
Echo also stars Chaske Spencer (Wild Indian, The English), Graham Greene (1883, Goliath), Tantoo Cardinal (Killers of the Flower Moon, Stumptown), Devery Jacobs (FX’s Reservation Dogs, American Gods), Zahn McClarnon (Dark Winds, FX’s Reservation Dogs), Cody Lightning (Hey, Viktor!, Four Sheets to the Wind) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Hawkeye, Godfather of Harlem).
No bad deed goes unpunished on Jan. 10, 2024, when Marvel Studios’ Echo launches on Disney+ and Hulu. The five-episode streaming event spotlights Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) as she is pursued by Wilson Fisk’s (Vincent D’Onofrio) criminal empire. When the journey brings her home, she must confront her own family and legacy.
Official Press Announcement for Marvel Studios Echo
Episodes of the series are directed by Sydney Freeland (Navajo) and Catriona McKenzie (Gunaikurnai). Executive producers are Kevin Feige, Stephen Broussard, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Richie Palmer, Jason Gavin (Blackfeet), Marion Dayre and Sydney Freeland. Co-executive producers are Jennifer L. Booth and Amy Rardin.
